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10 Under the Radar Trade Targets for Mariners: 10-6

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) /
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8. Travis Shaw, IF Milwaukee Brewers

PEORIA, AZ – MARCH 02: Ben Gamel #16 of the Seattle Mariners slides safely into third base just ahead of the tag by Travis Shaw #21 of the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning at Peoria Stadium on March 2, 2017, in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PEORIA, AZ – MARCH 02: Ben Gamel #16 of the Seattle Mariners slides safely into third base just ahead of the tag by Travis Shaw #21 of the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning at Peoria Stadium on March 2, 2017, in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

The Mariners really want to clear space, IE Dee Gordon, in the infield to allow Shed Long to get everyday reps at second base. So adding another veteran infielder may seem a bit out there. But consider what happened last spring. Kyle Seager injured himself in the final week of Spring Training and the Mariners didn’t have the depth to absorb the loss.

Travis Shaw could be that depth. In fact, Shaw could force his way into the Mariners’ long-term plans… if he can return to his 2018 form. In 2018, Shaw hit .241/.345/.480 with 32 home runs, a 119 wRC+, and well-above-average defense at third.

Shaw also has some experience at second base, turns 30-years-old in April, has 2-years of club control remaining, and is scheduled to make just $4.6 million in arbitration this winter. Now, this probably leads to the question, “why would the Brewers trade him”?

Well, the Brewers are a mid-market team who has work to do to reach the top of the NL power structure and have limited funds to do it. In addition, the Brewers have 16! players eligible for arbitration this winter. They are going to have to move on from some of those players and Shaw actually gives them a chance to recoup some capital.

The Brewers just don’t have space on the roster or on their payroll to carry Shaw on their roster, giving the Mariners a chance to get a nice player who could recoup prospect capital down the road.

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