Mariners: Trades they could make to upgrade the Pitching Staff

Trade Values: Mariners receive 6.9 – Rangers receive 5.8

This is a smaller deal and would be something you could see if the Mariners think that they have an outside shot to make it to the playoffs this season. They wouldn’t be giving up a ton of established talent and would be getting a strong starter in return.

The hardest part here would be the fact that you are trading within the division. I don’t see it holding a potential deal up too much, as it wouldn’t be keeping Texas out of the playoffs, and would help them to build further during their current rebuilding phase.

Kyle Gibson has been having a great year so far, easily surpassing his previous career-best. He leads the American League with a 2.00 ERA and is an obvious sell candidate for the Rangers. You see this every season, as the teams that are out of the playoff picture will sell high on their potential over-performers, getting something in return when they would otherwise just let them walk at the end of their contract.

Gibson is signed through 2022, so the Mariners could keep him around until then as the veteran pitcher they were hoping to have in Paxton. With his injury and the lengthy rehab time associated with it, Gibson would provide a solid arm that can eat innings. He has averaged just under 6 per start, and that number has actually increased a bit over the last few years.