Seattle Mariners: Buying low, selling high big for 2019 and beyond

Rebuilds are always a challenge for any team and require some level of luck to be successfully pulled off.

The Mariners have acquired some really nice pieces coming out of their busy past month, compiling a solid balance of enticing prospects, controllable MLB talent, and high-upside veterans to sell on in the future. In fact, the final part in that may be the most important of all, given where the M’s currently sit with their roster.

For now, it appears that Mitch Haniger, Mallex Smith, Omar Narváez, and Marco Gonzales aren’t going anywhere. That would indicate that Jerry Dipoto and co. have finally run out of ammunition to continue retooling their ballclub; yet, that’s not the case whatsoever.

With the additions of Edwin Encarnación, Jay Bruce, and Anthony Swarzak, who join alongside the likes of Kyle Seager and Dee Gordon, the M’s have a select group of veterans with serious potential to reset their value on the trade market this season.

As the contracts of both Gordon and Seager begin to dwindle, assuming they’re able to get back on track productivity-wise, their value will increase perhaps as soon as July.

The trio of Encarnación, Bruce, and Swarzak all come on short-term deals, and while Encarnación is certainly the most attractive name at this time, Bruce and Swarzak should be able to bounce back after injury-plagued seasons and net the Mariners a solid lottery ticket prospect or two come July.

But the train doesn’t just stop there with those five players, and not every single one of them will likely reach their ceiling of trade value.

Still two months removed from pitchers and catchers reporting in Peoria, the Mariners will continue to fill out their roster. This includes searching for a veteran shortstop to play as they (unfortunately) manipulate J.P. Crawford‘s service time, a right-handed hitting outfielder to seemingly complement Ben Gamel, and help for a completely dismantled bullpen.

Of course, the ideal scenario is to dive into the bargain bin of free agency and manage to acquire a player or two to flip at the deadline, much like the veterans currently on Seattle’s roster. Not only that, but players who can help guide the younger talent on the team and expedite their growth as Major Leaguers.

A perfect example of this would be someone like free agent catcher A.J. Ellis, who could beautifully handle a pitching staff that will fluctuate with youth over the course of the 2019 season. The in-game effect that someone like Ellis could have on Justus Sheffield, Justin Dunn, and even Marco Gonzales would be significant.

These are the kinds of decisions and signings that help mature a young team and speed up the process of a rebuild. Whether it be a player like Ellis for the mentorship aspect, or a veteran like Encarnación who could net you a solid prospect that may blossom into something for you down the road.

While it really doesn’t matter who plays for the Mariners in 2019, I do hope that they’re at least considerate of how certain decisions could affect them down the road, even if only slightly.