SODO MOJO
FanSided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next

3. Andrew Moore and Tommy Romero for Denard Span and Alex Colome

OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 30: Denard Span #4 of the Seattle Mariners slides into third base with a triple against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the second inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 30: Denard Span #4 of the Seattle Mariners slides into third base with a triple against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the second inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

From a pure baseball standpoint, this might be Dipoto’s best trade. First and foremost, they acquired a solid, starting outfielder and a legitimate upper-tier set up man. The cost? A fringe #5-#6 starter and a lottery ticket.

How did the Mariners do this to a smart organization like the Rays? Dipoto took on some money for Colome and Span, which played a big role. However, they jumped the entire market by making a deadline style deal in May. Dipoto took the leap sooner than any other contender and it made his team better.

Ultimately, the team fell short of ending their playoff drought, but the trade itself may have added as many as 4 wins to their total without sacrificing any long-term assets. Span helped carry the load left by Robinson Cano when he was suspended and was one of the 5 most consistent bats on the team.

Alex Colome spent the rest of 2019 setting up Edwin Diaz, posting 2.53 ERA, a 9.5 K/9, a 2.5 BB/9, and a 1.04 WHIP. On top of that, Dipoto was able to flip two years of Colome to the White Sox for starting catcher Omar Narvaez.

Narvaez happened to lead all catchers in OBP in 2018 and has 4-years of club control. This deal is the trade that keeps on giving. Trading Moore and Romero for 4-years of Narvaez would be a good enough deal, but the Mariners were able to get two major upgrades for 2018 as well.

Jerry Dipoto did an outstanding job in this trade and showed all the characteristics that make him so intriguing. It was aggressive, creative, showed long-term value, and was a smart baseball move. It is hard to do much better than that. But our next 2 trades just barely top it.

Home/Mariners News