Grading Seattle Mariners Trade Proposal from the Fans

Mariners trade proposal #2

Well Eli, I appreciate the optimism. And I think Cleveland is a team for which trading for Mitch Haniger makes a ton of sense. Unfortunately, I think you’re asking for a bit too much. If Haniger had a repeat of his 2018 season this year, maybe this is a deal to work from, but the injury and poor performance probably wrecked any chance of this deal coming to fruition.

But that doesn’t mean the deal is a total loss. I think the Mariners may be able to get one of Nolan Jones or Triston McKenzie. Maybe. And I think Ethan Hankins is a great secondary piece in a Haniger trade.

If Jerry Dipoto could get McKenzie and Hankins for Haniger straight up, I’d be thrilled. However, I think he would have to add a little something on his end to sweeten the pot. Perhaps, say, Sam Tuivailala?

McKenzie’s odd season-long absence to a back injury is certainly eyebrow-raising, but when he is healthy, he has three, above-average offerings with above-average command and pitchability. He has a chance to be a #2 starter if he can stay on the field.

Hankins is a bit more of a hard-throwing project with off-speed stuff and commands that flash average or slightly better. Netting those two would be a nice bump to the already loaded farm. I think Jones is off-limits, which is why I focused on McKenzie in this particular offer.

The proposal is a bit too optimistic for better than a 50-grade offer, but I’ll give it a 65-grade as a jumping-off point. Nice job Mr. Sellers.