Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto, What Is His Next Big Trade?

Since Jerry Dipoto became the Seattle Mariners general manager on September 28, 2015, has made so many trades and transactions it is hard to keep track. I know it has been over 70 of them though it feels like he makes one every day.

With May almost over the Mariners have had like 22 pitchers in the bullpen and it wouldn’t surprise me if it doubles that before the season ends or even by the all-star break. A lot of that depends on how many relievers end up having success for the Mariners.

Brandon Brennan so far looks like the best acquisition the Mariners have in the bullpen since the beginning of the year. The amazing thing he was a rule 5 pickup. He along with Roenis Elias and Cory Gearrin are the only relievers who started the season with Seattle. Connor Sadzeck was acquired in April and has done a fine job.

You would have to say they are the Mariners best relievers. Brennan and Elias are the setup men and closer right now depending on where the opposing lineup is at in the 8th and 9th. You will likely see them in the game if the other team’s top of the lineup is scheduled to bat and it is a close game especially if the Mariners are ahead.

The other four relief pitchers on the staff have only been with the team during May. Austin Adams has been with them the longest, then Anthony Bass and Jesse Biddle this last week. Also, David McKay recently called up from Tacoma. The Mariners likely will have a couple more moves in the bullpen in the next week or two.

Depending on how they perform, Bass and Biddle will probably be around for a while. Biddle is ,right now, the Mariners one inning lefty since they DFA’d Zac Rosscup and he was picked up by the Toronto Blue Jays on waivers.

So the question is: when the next big trade will be made by Jerry Dipoto? We have to figure the return of Kyle Seager the Mariners will probably trade  Jay Bruce sooner or later if they can get anything for him.

He could be DFA’s as well. The Mariners would be liable for the rest of his contract or pay part of it if another team picks him up. The other team would probably be paying the major league minimum.

Right now, to think of a “big trade”, it would likely involve Edwin Encarnacion. He was expected to be traded as soon as the Mariners acquired him. He has actually played a good first base which, has made him more valuable since he was expected to be only the designated hitter.

This week Ryon Healy, along with Dee Gordon, went on the ten-day injured list. With Kyle Seager returning Healy could have been sent down to Tacoma since he does have options if Bruce and Encarnacion both stick around. With the emergence of Daniel Vogelbach, there really isn’t any room for Healy, Bruce, and Encarnacion all at first base and designated hitter.

Now with Seager coming back and J.P. Crawford being the everyday shortstop, Tim Beckham would be the likely candidate as the utility player where he could give Gordon when he returns, Crawford, and Seager a day off when needed. He could play some outfield as well.

Jerry Dipoto could look at trading Beckham, as well as leaving Dylan Moore as the utility player. When Seager is activated Dylan Moore will probably be sent down to Tacoma unless Dipoto does make a trade.

Another big trade that Jerry Dipoto has not wanted to make, could be sending Mitch Haniger somewhere as well. Haniger isn’t having a good season so far but, I am sure another team would see him as a valuable chip.

Whomever Dipoto does trade, the Mariners will look at picking up young pitchers, whether for the bullpen or the future in the rotation.

I am sure Jerry Dipoto has been working on something for a bit of time. I figured it could happen even before I finish this story. Anyway, it will be interesting to see who goes and who the Mariners pick up. Go M’s.