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Seattle Mariners Five Best Trades in the Jerry Dipoto Era

By Colby Patnode

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 11: Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto watches batting practice before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 11, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Rangers won the game 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 11: Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto watches batting practice before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 11, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Rangers won the game 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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4. Ben Gamel and Noah Zavolas for Domingo Santana

SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 12: Domingo Santana #16 of the Seattle Mariners hits a two-run single off of starting pitcher Wade Miley #20 of the Houston Astros to score Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners and Mallex Smith #0 of the Seattle Mariners during the second inning of a game at T-Mobile Park on April 12, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 12: Domingo Santana #16 of the Seattle Mariners hits a two-run single off of starting pitcher Wade Miley #20 of the Houston Astros to score Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners and Mallex Smith #0 of the Seattle Mariners during the second inning of a game at T-Mobile Park on April 12, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Yeah, perhaps I am calling this putt a little early. But while the results are nice early on, the process is what pushes this trade into the Top 5. Think about what we know Ben Gamel. Solid bat but not much power, mediocre defense, fast but not a base-stealer. Now tell me everything you know about Noah Zavolas. It won’t take long.

Now think about what we have seen from Domingo Santana early in his Mariners tenure. Plus power to all field, discerning eye at the plate, can steal bases, poor defender, accurate arm. Now look back at his 2017 numbers. Pretty much see the same thing right?

Now consider Santana was acquired with 3-years of club control left and will play most of this season as a 26-year-old. And what did all this cost the Mariners? A fourth outfielder and a minor league arm with a middle relief future who is 23 and still 2+ years away from the big leagues. Yeah, Jerry crushed it.

While Santana may have been acquired to trade later, his value will no doubt bring the Mariners more than Gamel and Zavolas. And perhaps Santana has a home long-term, especially if the Mariners are serious about their timeline for contention

At the end of the day, Santana is an offensive threat who should be playing every day and he was acquired for a solid 4th OF and an arm without a serious upside. The rest of baseball fell asleep at the wheel on Santana, and Dipoto went out and robbed the league blind.

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