5 Chicago Cubs players that the Seattle Mariners should inquire about

The Seattle Mariners should trade for the Chicago Cubs Gold Glove shortstop Javier Baez

I am a huge advocate for Jerry Dipoto going after DJ LeMahieu in free-agency, but there will be a very tough competition like shoppers at a Black Friday sale. But one thing I know for sure is the Seattle Mariners need an upgrade at second base. After LeMahieu, there are not any wowing names on the free-agent market, but I have my eyes set on Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez.

Why does Baez make sense? Based on what I saw in 2020, the Mariners lacked pop in the lineup. And what would you know, Seattle only hit 60 home runs, which is in the bottom five in the league. The most home runs were hit by the Dodgers (118), and the least among of home runs came from the Cardinals (51). The Mariners were also 22nd in RBIs in the league and 23rd in runs per game. These are some concerning stats, and these will hopefully go up as some young stars are added into the lineup like Jarred Kelenic.

So, when the Seattle Mariners try to fill the second base void, why not go for a star like Javier Baez? You are probably thinking that the Mariners still have Dylan Moore and Ty France, and yes you are correct. But, I rather have them as a role player, utility, bench option. France and Moore played well, but their ceiling is not nearly as high as Baez who led the league in RBIs in 2018. Baez struggled really badly in 2020, but his offensive numbers have been getting better and better since he entered the league as a highly-touted prospect. In 2020, he posted a .203/ .238/ .360 and eight home runs.

I am hoping 2020 was just an outlier because he is capable of putting up big power numbers while also stealing bases and playing great defense. He just won his first Gold Glove at shortstop but he has a history of playing other positions. With the Cubs, he has played third and second base. When the Cubs won the World Series in 2016, Baez played 62 games at third, and 59 games at second during the regular season. He would fit perfectly into our second base void.

With his most recent performance, he also might be a little more affordable than a player like Francisco Lindor. I see Baez as a slightly lower option than Lindor and both are in similar contract situations. Lindor makes more money, but he will require a much more significant contract deal once he hits free agency. Both Baez and Lindor have one more year of arbitration eligibility and will be free-agents in 2021. So whether the Mariners go for a player like Baez or Lindor, it is not worth going for them if Jerry Dipoto is not confident in signing them to extensions.

Baez would be much more affordable than Lindor and that is why I like a Baez trade. Again, Baez would be a second baseman so J.P. Crawford would not have to be traded away. Maybe Jerry Dipoto gives them a pitching prospect or Taylor Trammell for Baez, which is reasonable in my mind.