Seattle Mariners: Mitch Haniger’s Top 5 Potential Trade Destinations

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Just on the outside looking in in both the wild card race and their division, the Cardinals are very much alive in the National League. And while they aren’t necessarily dying to add talent to their outfield, it would be hard for them to say no if the opportunity presented itself.

José Martínez and Dexter Fowler have made up a solid right field platoon for the Cardinals this year, and with Marcell Ozuna and Harrison Bader respectively manning left and center on a daily basis, there isn’t a huge need for them to upgrade. But when talking about one of the best outfielders in baseball, which Haniger has established himself as over the last year and change, it’s hard to say he wouldn’t be a significant upgrade over what they currently have in right, at least.

The Cardinals and Mariners line up well for a trade, whether it be centered around Haniger or someone else. St. Louis has an enticing balance of prospect capital and MLB-ready youth to trade from, and the Mariners have shown a great willingness to take on veteran contracts, which they could do here with Fowler, which I toyed around with last week.

If it’s Haniger they want, however, he can certainly be had by them. But the Cardinals have more pressing matters in regards to their roster, including their injury-depleted starting rotation, so taking on a luxury in Haniger may not be in the cards, for lack of a better term.