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Seattle Mariners: Who gets flipped and who stays for now?

By Ty Gonzalez

ST PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Edwin Encarnacion #10 of the Cleveland Indians looks on in the first inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 12, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Edwin Encarnacion #10 of the Cleveland Indians looks on in the first inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 12, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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1B/DH EDWIN ENCARNACIÓN

CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 14: Edwin Encarnacion #10 of the Cleveland Indians stands at first base against the New York Yankees in the fourth inning at Progressive Field on July 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 5-4. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 14: Edwin Encarnacion #10 of the Cleveland Indians stands at first base against the New York Yankees in the fourth inning at Progressive Field on July 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 5-4. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

As we touched upon, the trade that brought in Encarnación this past may be some of Dipoto’s best work in his tenure with the Mariners. Flipping Santana for Encarnación may have been a value gain than a loss, as Encarnación maintained a solid on-base presence while providing more power than Santana last season.

Of course, unlike Santana, Encarnación is practically useless in the field and should be looked at more as a designated hitter. That will always hurt E5’s trade value, and may even cut out the National League entirely if no team is comfortable in playing him at first base for a full season.

Still, the Mariners should be able to get a decent lottery ticket prospect or two depending on how much of Encarnación’s $25 million salary they’re willing to eat. It shouldn’t matter if they decide to hold on to him until July or part ways over the next few weeks, as Encarnación has been one of the most consistent hitters in baseball and has hit very well in Seattle throughout his career. His value will likely remain the same no matter what.

Potential destinations this Winter: Rockies, Rays, Blue Jays, Astros
Prediction: Traded to the Rockies this offseason.

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