Seattle Mariners: 5 Trade Target from Diamondbacks Rebuild

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PHOENIX, AZ – AUGUST 24: Zack Godley #52 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a first inning pitch against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field on August 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The players are wearing special jerseys as part of MLB Players Weekend. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Yes, the Mariners need another starting pitcher. Yes, I sound like a broken record. But it doesn’t make the statement any less true. Godley will turn 29-years-old in late April, but still has 4 years of club control remaining. As we all know, Dipoto covets club-control, which could make him the most likely player to find his way to Seattle.

However, club-control doesn’t necessarily mean valuable. In 32 starts in 2018, Godley was pretty good. His 4.74 ERA doesn’t jump off the page, but he did post a solid 3.96 xFIP while striking out more than a batter per inning (9.34 K/9).

On top of that, Godley is an extreme groundball pitcher, posting a career 51.6% GB rate. So how could the Mariners even afford to ask about a guy like this? Well, for starters, he has shown iffy, at best, command. His 4.09 BB/9 are a scary number, and he’s never had pinpoint command to begin with.

In addition, Godley has reached his ceiling already, and it’s just that of a #4 or #5 starter. Combined with his age, Godley’s market may be suppressed enough to allow Dipoto to get in on the conversation.

Godley probably slots into the #5 slot in the rotation but is no guarantee to be better than incumbent Wade LeBlanc. He may, however, be an alternative to Sonny Gray, who we expect to be a trade target of Jerry Dipoto’s.

Proposal: Zack Godley for Evan White

Likelihood of a deal: 4/10

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