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Kyle Seager: What a Mariners trade to the Mets could look like
The Mariners are likely going to be sellers at the trade deadline. After a hot start, the team fell flat and sits a few games below .500, more in line with what preseason win expectations had them at. Some of the teams’ veterans are going to be involved in trade rumors, and the one I want to look at today is Kyle Seager.
I don’t want to look at trades with multiple teams, and least not for right now. I’m going to focus on one team in particular, in large part due to the rumors that have been surrounding the involved parties showing that there actually may be real interest. If it sounds like they are interested, it makes for a great time to check out what kind of deals would be possible. Or, at least, getting an idea of perceived value.
We’ve already examined some of the White Sox and Mariners rumors surrounding Mitch Haniger. I’ll admit, I went a bit hard at the guys at SouthSide and what they put together, using the values over at baseballtradevalues.com. It made for a bit of fun, but they do not value Seager at all. This is a bit perplexing to me. Yes, he has a decent salary. You could argue he is overpaid (I don’t). He is on pace for a WAR around 4.0-5.0 this year and is playing above-average defense.
You put him into a lineup with teammates that are hitting better than .200, and he is going to be even better. If the Mariners were to trade Seager, the haul would in no way be similar to what the team could get for Haniger. Mitch is younger, more dynamic, and cheaper.
They could still get a bit of value for Seager though, especially if they ate some of his salary. This is exactly what I think would happen. So, let’s take a look at some trades the Mariners and Mets could do for Kyle Seager. Something to take note of… I’m throwing in money on each of these to offset value. Also, Seager could decide not to change his salary into a player option, a stipulation in his contract if traded. If either of these changes, his value greatly changes as well.
Trade 1: Kyle Seager for Immediate Pitching Help for the Mariners
The Mets are one of the most injured teams in all of baseball. Even fans of the Mariners bullpen can take a look at the injuries up and down the Mets roster and agree, that yeah, that team is dealing with a lot of hurt players right now. Not only that, it’s across all levels of the team, but the offense is likely the group that has been hit the worst.
That’s the reason that we are looking at Seager to the Mets. They need someone who can step in and play third base, and provide day in and day out reliability to their team, as well as someone that they can throw into the middle of the lineup that pitchers have to be wary of.
Yes, Seager is only hitting .229 right now, but he is in the midst of a slump. The way he is hitting the ball this season, he is likely closer to a .250 hitter. That may not sound like much, but you need to remember that somewhere around .230 is league average now.
In return, they could get another pitching prospect that could possibly be ready to contribute, which would help to keep fan’s voices down about calling up another pitching prospect, or even lessen the blow if they need to send Gilbert back down for a bit.
They could possibly go after JT Ginn if they throw something else in. He’s a higher-rated prospect, so if the Mariners wanted a reclamation project, Ginn could be a potential target as he rehabs.
Trade 2: Mariners land youth and potential for Kyle Seager
What’s crazy about Newton is that he was signed all the way back in 2015. He had been left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft twice because of how long he has been around but is still young enough and raw enough that he wasn’t selected either time. He’s got a fantastic arm and a great glove, and the hope is that he gains adult strength as he progresses through further into his 20s and becomes a good enough hitter to find his way, even if it is a utility/part-time guy.
Ventura would be another good pitcher the Mariners could add into their squad, as you can never have enough pitching depth in your minor league system. A low 90’s cutter could still gain speed as he gets older, especially if he gets the chance to work with Rob Marcello, one of the Mariners pitching coaches who have done a great job at increases velocity throughout the farm system without seeing a loss of control.
His issue is a lack of consistency with a breaking ball, as it can look like a slider or a curve depending on the pitch, making it hard to control. He is adding a changeup and could be an interesting pitcher to target if he can put together an effective three-pitch mix. Something to take note of. Ventura is quite athletic, so the possibility for more electric stuff is definitely there potential-wise, it just needs to be unlocked.
Trade 3: Mariners get Pitching and depth for Kyle Seager
Palmer would be the better get here, and it really isn’t an argument. He gives the Mariners another potential piece to fill the shortstop and third base spots with Seager’s departure. There has been talk since he got here over whether or not JP Crawford can do enough to remain and be “worthy” enough of being the team’s starting shortstop. We know he has a gold glove, but it’s the bat that is in question.
Palmer, at 20, is likely going to outgrow the shortstop position, with a plus arm allowing him to move around, as well as plus speed and plus power. The contact rate is where he has an issue, and you have to wonder if he will be able to learn to hit the ball often enough to make the power play. He has an awful strikeout rate, and Mariners fans have had enough of that in their life.
When it comes to Renteria, he could immediately be a piece that the team could use. He’s already 26, and is on the edge of no longer being a prospect due to his age. The Mariners could use pitching, as they have faced a rash of injuries this season. It would be a great opportunity for both the Mariners and Renteria to see if he can be good enough to pitch in the bigs.
What do you think? Would any of these trades be enough to move Seager? The Mariners are in a tough spot of needing veteran leadership, but wanting to build for the future and retain value.