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Predicting Where 5 Seattle Mariners Trade Chips Will Land

By Colby Patnode

SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 01: Tim Beckham #1 of the Seattle Mariners pretends to take a picture of Dee Gordon #9 as they celebrate their win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at T-Mobile Park on April 1, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6-3. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 01: Tim Beckham #1 of the Seattle Mariners pretends to take a picture of Dee Gordon #9 as they celebrate their win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at T-Mobile Park on April 1, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 6-3. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /
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Omar Narvaez

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 18: Catcher Omar Narvaez #22 of the Seattle Mariners smiles as he looks toward the dugout after relief pitcher Tom Murphy #2 of the Seattle Mariners, who is on the roster as a position player, struck out Miguel Sano #22 of the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning of a game at T-Mobile Park on May 18, 2019, in Seattle, Washington. The Twins won 18-4. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – MAY 18: Catcher Omar Narvaez #22 of the Seattle Mariners smiles as he looks toward the dugout after relief pitcher Tom Murphy #2 of the Seattle Mariners, who is on the roster as a position player, struck out Miguel Sano #22 of the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning of a game at T-Mobile Park on May 18, 2019, in Seattle, Washington. The Twins won 18-4. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Omar Narvaez has been one of the few bright spots in the sea of darkness that has been the Seattle Mariners in the past week. The catcher has been nothing short of sensational with the bat this season and is slashing .294/.366/.498 with 16 home runs in 81 games. He has steadily improved his defense and has made tremendous strides in just one season.

Narvaez is also just 27-years-old and won’t be a free agent until after the 2023 season. So isn’t this guy somebody you build around? He could be. And the Mariners may have very well decided that they see Narvaez as a building block instead of a trade chip.

But you never make any player unavailable, and this type of player can be extremely valuable on the trade market. Buyers, sellers, or those caught in between can all be involved in Narvaez trade talks because of his age and relative cheapness.

It does seem like Seattle likes Narvaez enough to at least explore his potential at a different position, one that will put less strain on him and may actually help him produce even better numbers. Narvaez has begun taking some reps at first base, a position he does have some familiarity with.

While Narvaez loses some value when he takes off the catchers gear, the bat displayed is good enough to profile at first base. He ranks second amongst catchers with at least 250 PAs with his 134 wRC+. At first base, his 134 wRC+ would be tied for 9th with Matt Olson and Luke Voit, and just ahead of Daniel Vogelbach.

Possible Destinations: Texas, Pittsburgh, Colorado, Washington, Oakland, Cincinnati

Final Destination: Seattle

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