Mariners Trade Rumors: Padres’ Chris Denorfia Could Get Moved ‘Soon’

The Mariners trade rumors have been quieter of late, but a new team and a new name has emerged in recent rumors. Chris Denorfia, outfielder for the San Diego Padres, is said to be potentially moved ‘soon’: as in before the trade deadline.

According to Chris Cotillo of the MLB Daily Dish, the San Francisco Giants, the Toronto Blue Jays, and your Seattle Mariners are interested in trading for Denorfia.

The 34-year old outfielder is batting a meager .244/.295/.321 over 266 plate appearances this season.

My biggest question: what sort of value would Chris Denorfia bring to this Mariners club, a team seeking a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2001?

Versus lefties this season Denorfia has batted .255/.314/.330 with 0 home runs and 6 RBI. Those are not the sort of ‘power right-handed bat’ numbers the Mariners need in the outfield.

If the trade comes with an extremely low cost, I suppose it wouldn’t be the worst thing for the Mariners to make a trade. But most fans– myself included– would feel cheated by such a trade. These Mariners need an Alex Rios, a Dayan Viciedo, someone with enough pop and presence in the lineup to warrant a trade. Denorfia would be a stop-gap, barely improving upon the poor play of Mariners right fielders thus far this season.

I am well aware that there aren’t many high-quality, right-handed outfield bats on the market as the deadline approaches. But when you need some pop going out and investing in a whisper just won’t do it.

Kendrys Morales was a start, assuming he can start hitting and producing for the Mariners. Corey Hart seems to be close to a lost cause. Michael Saunders is too injury-prone to be relied upon.

If Denorfia is Trader Jack’s big answer to the lineup woes, he won’t be keeping his job much longer. This team has the potential to make a run at the playoffs if another piece or two is put in place.

Chris Denorfia, though, should not be that piece.