Mariners: Trades they could make to upgrade the Pitching Staff

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 22: Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers at Chase Field on June 22, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 22: Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers at Chase Field on June 22, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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Mariners go for the lefty Danny Duffy
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MAY 12: Danny Duffy #30 of the Kansas City Royals throws a second inning pitch against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on May 12, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Trade Values: Mariners receive -3.9 – Royals receive 4.1

I’m sorry, but it just isn’t realistic that Danny Duffy would be negative during a trade. Part of this is the fact that he needs an update in his trade value, especially when you look at how well he has been doing this season.

Prior to his injury, he was dominant this season. Through seven starts, he was sporting a 1.94 ERA, with a career-best strikeout rate, sitting down 48 hitters in 41.1 innings. He would be the easiest guy to acquire in this list, especially if the Royals don’t think that they are going to be able to re-sign him. He becomes a free agent after this season, and it would behoove the Royals to try and get something for him before he is gone.

Polcovich has been having a great season so far, but the Royals could try and take him and mold him into a future replacement for Whit Merrifield. He doesn’t have the same speed, but his utility ability and strong hitting tools could easily be placed into an everyday role. We all know that the Royals are crafty, so a player like Polcovich could be a steal.

Duffy would be a great fill-in lefty for the Mariners. They might be able to get him even cheaper than this if there is a league-wide worry about him coming back from his injury. He has looked fine in two appearances since coming back, so that concern shrinks by the day.