Three (way too early) trade options for the Mariners

We are only a few games into the 2023 campaign, but unless someone significantly emerges the Mariners will need to add to their lineup. Let's take a look at a few options to keep an eye on.

We are only a few games into the 2023 campaign, but unless someone significantly emerges the Mariners will need to add to their lineup. Cade Marlowe and Taylor Trammell will be joining this team soon, but all signs point toward this team being a hitter short.

Over the offseason I mentioned that Seattle should acquire too many bats, creating excellent big-league depth to help them handle injuries or regression. They looked at Bryan Reynolds among other bats, but ultimately ended up standing pat after the acquisitions of Kolten Wong and Teoscar Hernández.

It is easy to see many different paths for the team needing to add offense and is easily the most likely spot Seattle would address at the trade deadline or sooner. There are a few names I have earmarked as players to watch moving forward.

Seth Brown 1B/OF- Oakland Athletics

Seth Brown is a really interesting guy who fits the Mariners production-wise and positionally. Unfortunately, Brown played just eight games and was placed on the injured list with an oblique injury that will sideline him for 4-6 weeks.

While Brown was not off to a good start to his 2023 campaign, he was one of the best hitters in all of baseball during the second half of last season. From August 24 to the end of the season, the 30-year-old outfielder posted a 142 WRC+ with 8 home runs.

He finished the 2022 season with 1.8 fWAR and a 117 WRC+. As a left-handed hitter and a corner outfielder that plays first base, he fits this team perfectly.

The Mariners will be competing with the fact that Oakland is a division rival and one that has been stingy in trade talks before. If he can get healthy and show the ability to produce, there is almost no doubt the A’s would like to move him.

He will likely be expensive as he hasn’t yet hit arbitration, and the divisional price may lead Seattle away from him as a target.

Anthony Santander OF- Baltimore Orioles

Anthony Santander and teammate Cedric Mullins have been long-time favorites of mine when it comes to trade targets for Seattle. The caveat here is that the Baltimore Orioles could very well be a contender in the American League, vying for a spot with the Mariners.

So far this year the 28-year-old switch hitter has struggled, but his prowess at the plate was on full display in the WBC. He has posted a 75 WRC+ and -.2 fWAR this season.

He very well could be cheaper than Seth Brown, as next year will be his final year of club control. Baltimore could look to move him regardless of success if the price is right, with a farm system as loaded as theirs.

Santander walked at about a league-average rate while striking out very little last season. He is an average hitter over the course of his career against right-handed pitching but does damage against lefties. The 28-year-old owns a 112 WRC+ against lefties but could be a much-needed power bat who carries the ability to balance the lineup against right-handers.

Joc Pederson OF- San Francisco Giants

Pederson is a player that has fit this Seattle roster for a long time and may be exactly the type of postseason acquisition this team needs. He is playing on the qualifying offer this season, meaning he is owed nearly 20 million dollars this year and will be a free agent next offseason.

The 31-year-old outfielder has a history of playoff production, including a 2021 run that was dubbed “Joctober.” He does little to help you defensively, but his left-handed bat has a long history of production.

Pederson has walked at a league-average rate or above every season since his arrival and posted a 144 WRC+ last season. So far this year before being placed on the injured list he posted a 137 WRC+, while primarily being used against righties.

He is a perfect option for this lineup who should be pretty cheap, and the Giants won’t have any problem moving off of him and his contract once the team falls out of contention.