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Seattle Mariners rumors: Three potential trade targets before tonight’s deadline

By Ty Gonzalez

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 24: Pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Washington Nationals delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning of a game at Citi Field on August 24, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 24: Pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Washington Nationals delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning of a game at Citi Field on August 24, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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UTL JOSH HARRISON

PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 17: Josh Harrison #5 of the Pittsburgh Pirates attempts a throw to first base in the sixth inning during the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on August 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 17: Josh Harrison #5 of the Pittsburgh Pirates attempts a throw to first base in the sixth inning during the game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on August 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

The Pirates strangely attempted to be buyers at last month’s trade deadline and immediately failed to make any push for the playoffs. Consequently, they’re now attempting to sell before the day is out.

The 30-year-old utility infielder is still under club control until the 2020 season for roughly $20 million, though he has a $1.5 million buyout in the offseason. Currently playing on a salary of $10 million, the remainder would be a pretty hefty add to the Mariners’ payroll at this point in the season.

But if any team can afford to add such a contract, it would be the Mariners, who have a need to load up on infield depth.

Harrison has held his own in the field, but has struggled at the plate. In essence, adding Harrison would be like adding a second Dee Gordon, in terms of the similar tools they bring and their extremely low OBP (.299 and .298 respectively). Harrison hasn’t been as much of a base stealing threat as he once was, however.

All that said, Harrison would fit rather nicely as a bench piece for the Mariners. If he balls out, then the M’s don’t have to worry about retaining him; if not, the $1.5 million buyout isn’t too bad of a cost to bear.

Trade likelihood: 30%

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