Seattle Mariners: 5 Trades to Clear Payroll this Off-Season

The Seattle Mariners are in a tough spot. They find themselves with an older team, a thin system, and a high payroll. Let’s look at five trades to clear payroll this off-season for the Seattle Mariners.

All of these trades are centered around one key factor. To clear payroll this off-season. The Seattle Mariners have one of the highest payrolls in all of baseball. Before any free agency signings or trades happen, the Mariners have the 3rd most money committed heading into 2019. These trades will all look to help clear payroll this off-season.

To be up front, Felix Hernandez and Robinson Cano will not be listed here. Yes, they are the highest on the payroll. In the case of Felix, he only has one year left on his deal. As for Cano, he would be very difficult to trade. The Mariners would likely have to eat the majority of his contract in a trade, negating the benefit of trading him.

Now, this isn’t a predictions article saying that all of these trades are going to happen. They are just ones that the Seattle Mariners could make to accomplish a couple important aspects. These would help them to either rebuild the farm system, get younger on the major league level, or see how players would do in a new locale. All of the players they get back have age, as well as ranking in that team’s system.

We all want the Mariners to succeed. Seeing them break their drought and make it to the playoffs would make most Mariners fans happy. It could very well happen in 2019. Whether or not you believe that is up to you. For now, let us dive in and look at five trades the Seattle Mariners could make to clear payroll this off-season.

DEE GORDON

Dee Gordon is the first one on the list. It’s nice to see someone like this on the team, but he is more flash than substance. He played just above average defense at second base this year and struggled in center. Even though the Mariners just traded for him, they could look to clear payroll this off-season by shipping him to a contender.

There is a legitimate worry that the speed may be taking a step back as well. Gordon is going to be 31 in 2019, and speed doesn’t always stick around well. For someone who relies solely on that aspect of his game, if he loses half a step, he is a completely different player.

He needs to do more as a hitter as well. With only nine walks in 2018, Gordon doesn’t give the team much opportunity to drive him in. If he can work on his eye and maintain his speed, he is worth his contract. With three years and $40.5 million left, that is a lot to live up to.

There are a few teams out there that could use an upgrade at second base and would welcome his speed onto the team. The Arizona Diamondbacks could be a target, but they are wary after how the last trade turned out with the Mariners. This leaves two American league contenders.

The Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox both have a need for a second baseman. Josh Donaldson is a free agent in Cleveland, which will likely slide Jose Ramirez back to third. Ian Kinsler is going to be a free agent as well, and Dustin Pedroia is near the end of his playing career. Here is what a trade with the Boston Red Sox could look like.

Boston receives – 2B Dee Gordon

Seattle receives – 3B Danny Diaz (17 years old, #11 prospect), RHP Kutter Crawford (22 years old, #18 prospect), 1B Pedro Castellanos (20 years old, #30 prospect)

The Mariners would get back a young third base prospect and a pitcher with a back-end starter upside. Diaz currently has a bat that is ahead of his age. He has recently moved to third from short, which will be his position going forward as he gains muscle and puts on weight.

Castellanos would be a nice piece with the upside of solving a long-standing problem at first base. The Mariners did give up higher ranked prospects to get Gordon but also received $1 million in international money.

Something like this would likely be the deal that could be made for Dee Gordon. It would be a big step in multiple areas. The team would get good young players, all with different arrival windows. Asking for three prospects may be a little much, but if Boston wants to continue to improve, this would be the way to do it.

Savings – $40.5 million over three years, $13 million in 2019

KYLE SEAGER

Kyle Seager had the most disappointing year of his career in 2018. His batting average plummeted down to .221. The defense took a hit too, as he finished the year with a dWAR of 0.0. Now likely isn’t the best time to trade Seager with his stock being down, but plenty of teams would still like to have him. The Mariners could easily find a trade partner to clear payroll this off-season.

The contract is a good deal if you are getting the Kyle Seager from 2014-2016. He averaged a .271 batting average, 27 home runs, and 90 RBI over that stretch. His contract sits at three years for $56 million, with a potential for a fourth year at around $15 million dollars. For a former Gold Glover with all-star numbers, $18 million a year is a good deal.

A trip to the National League East would be likely for Seager in a trade. The Phillies or Braves would be the two likely destinations. Maikel Franco came into his own a little bit during 2018, so the Phillies are likely to keep him around a bit longer, with a few years of arbitration control. Atlanta could move Johan Camargo back to his super-utility role. A trade to the Braves could look something like this.

Atlanta receives – 3B Kyle Seager

Seattle receives – OF Cristian Pache (19 years old, #6 prospect), LHP Tucker Davidson (22 years old, #24 prospect)

With a hole in the center, the Mariners could decide to keep Denard Span around for another year or two while Pache matures. Already an incredible defender, Pache shows a plus arm and plus speed and is still a teenager. Davidson is another in a long line of great Braves pitching prospects. Atlanta has a plethora of pitchers, and the Mariners could look to snag one in this trade.

In High A ball over 2018, Davidson struggled a bit, with an E.R.A. over four. He does show promise with his three pitches and would be a nice get for the Mariners, as he isn’t that far away from pitching in the majors.

Savings – $71 million over four years, $19 million in 2019

JEAN SEGURA

Jean Segura is the youngest player on the list of Mariners to send out in a trade. He would be a big help to clear payroll this off-season, as over $14 million per year through 2023. He will also go into 2019 as the 4th highest paid shortstop. This isn’t to say that he isn’t worth it, as he is definitely one of the better to man the position in the Majors.

After a blistering start to 2018, Segura slowed down over the stretch run. He still managed to hit .304 on the year but was sitting at .332 on July 5th, right around the time the Mariners season changed for the worse. 2018 did mark his third season in a row at or above .300, showing he is more of the player from 2013 than 2014-2015.

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Segura is a great all-around player. He put together the best defensive season of his career in 2018, posting a 1.5 dWAR. Pairing this with his ability to steal bases and hit home runs makes him a bat any team would like near the top of their lineup. Over the last three years, he has averaged 14 home runs, 25 steals, and a .308 batting average.

If the Mariners were to trade Segura, he would likely fetch the largest get of anyone on this list. He is one of the top shortstops in baseball, although he does get overshadowed being in the American League. This is why we are going to look to the senior circuit for a trade partner.

Around the trade deadline in 2018, the Pittsburgh Pirates made some bold moves to try and make it to the post-season. They could make another one here, shoring up one of their issues by getting a top shortstop. Jordy Mercer is a nice player, but he is nowhere near the caliber, either offensively or defensively, as Jean Segura.

Pittsburgh receives – SS Jean Segura

Seattle receives – OF Bryan Reynolds (23 years old, #8 prospect), 2B/SS Stephen Alemais (23 years old, #18 prospect), LHP Domingo Robles (20 years old, #28 prospect)

In trading Segura, the Mariners would be able to get two near ready prospects who could help them sooner rather than later. Both players could arguably jump right in, and likely would if all of the trades listed were made. Reynolds shows a good feel from both sides of the plate as a switch-hitter and can play all three outfield positions. He has improved his plate discipline and looks ready for a chance at the next level.

Alemais could take over for Segura, leaving Cano to play second for Seattle. He has a good glove and good hands, with a strong enough arm to play short. His speed is the main part of his offensive game, although he occasionally tries to power up, usually leading to poor results. Robles is a young lefty with a good setup for someone so young. He commands his pitches well, likely from his ability to repeat his delivery.

If Seattle were to send out Segura, they should expect a nice haul back in return. Getting a couple of players that are major league ready would help ease the pain of seeing one of the team’s best players leave. A high potential young lefty would help as well.

Savings – $74 million over five years, $14.25 million in 2019

ROBINSON CANO and FELIX HERNANDEZ

The truth is, the Mariners have a ton of money locked up in a few players. If you look ahead to 2020, there are only six players on the list. The first five are Gordon, Seager, Leake, Segura, and Cano. The sixth is Wade LeBlanc, with an incentive laden contract (insert link) that becomes better for the team the more he pitches.

It’s not likely the Mariners are going to be able to trade either Cano or Felix. If the Mariners were going to trade Cano, they would have to agree to pay a large amount of the remaining money on his deal. This has happened in the past with players. Usually, it only happens when there are a couple of years left on the deal. In the case of Cano, he is signed through 2023. Which means he has five years and $120 million left heading into the 2019 season.

As for Felix, it isn’t as ridiculous as you think to say he could be traded this year. Chances are both sides, Seattle and Felix, want him to finish his career as a Mariner. However, Felix may want to give that up to make it to the postseason. If he is having a good season, whether in the bullpen or as a starter, the Mariners could trade him to a front-runner looking for a back-end starter.

If this happened, it would likely be for a low prospect, and with Seattle still eating some of the money. Let’s look at the Philadelphia Phillies or the Atlanta Braves. Both teams are in fairly similar situations. They are young teams that could use a veteran presence on the staff. The Phillies already have Jake Arrieta, but a second veteran wouldn’t hurt.

This trade is different than the others, in that it wouldn’t happen until near the deadline of July 31st. His outgoing salary would be prorated to around $9 million. The Mariners could likely get a low tier pitching prospect in return.  It wouldn’t help clear payroll this off-season, but it would help the team out still. The trade would look like this.

Philadelphia receives – RHP Felix Hernandez, pays $6 million of $9 million remaining salary

Seattle receives – LHP Jhordany Mezquita (20 years old, #26 prospect)

Seattle would get a young lefty from the Phillies in Mezquita. He would start the 2019 season at age 21, and likely be three to four years away from the big league level. He has the end of rotation ability and sits in the low 90’s. Getting the 16th ranked pitcher in the Phillies system would be a reasonable get for Felix Hernandez, and save the team around $3 million dollars.

Savings – around $3 million dollars

THE FINISHED PRODUCT

If these were all to happen, the Mariners would look like a drastically different team. Here are the players that they ended up getting rid of, and the amount associated with them.

Dee Gordon – $13 million in 2019, $40.5 million over three years

Kyle Seager – $19 million in 2019, $71 million over four years

Mike Leake – $16 million in 2019, $31 million over two years, $49 million over three years if the option is agreed to

Jean Segura – $14.25 million in 2019, $74 million over five years

Felix Hernandez – $3 million dollars in 2019

With them gone, here are the players that they were able to get in return. It can be a little hard to sort through all of them, so they are still grouped by the team they got them from. This helps keep the prospect ranking easier to understand.

Boston – 3B Danny Diaz (17 years old, #11 prospect), RHP Kutter Crawford (22 years old, #18 prospect), 1B Pedro Castellanos (20 years old, #30 prospect)

Atlanta – OF Christian Pache (19 years old, #6 prospect), LHP Tucker Davidson (22 years old, #24 prospect)

San Francisco – RHP Juan De Paula (21 years old, #18 prospect)

Pittsburgh – OF Bryan Reynolds (23 years old, #8 prospect), 2B/SS Steven Alemais (23 years old, #18 prospect), LHP Domingo Robles (20 years old, #28 prospect)

Philadelphia – LHP Jhordany Mezquita (20 years old, #26 prospect)

Although Seattle would be getting rid of most of their best players, they would be restocking incredibly well. Five Starting Pitchers all with starter potential, a couple of major league ready players, and players at each position that they would be trading away. The amount their giving up would be a lot. It could be said that the amount they are getting back is even better.

Total Amount of money saved – $65.25 million in 2019, $61.75 in 2020, $64.25 in 2021, $29.25 in 2022, $17 in 2023. $237.5 million overall saved.

Some of this money would immediately be spent, as they would need to sign some players to fill major league roster spots. If Seattle spent early on some mid-tier players, they would be able to get decent players and still field a well-rounded roster. Those players can usually be had early in free agency, as a lot of teams are going after the big name players.

When all is said and done, the Mariners have a lot more room on the books. These five trades would clear payroll this off-season by a total of around $62.25 million, as we wouldn’t be taking the Felix trade into account.

Looking ahead, they would be clearing nearly one-quarter of a Billion dollars off of the books. The Seattle Mariners wouldn’t necessarily be better in 2019. The future would definitely look a lot brighter though, and help set the team up for long-term success.