Mariners: Possible trades in dealing away Jake Fraley

• Brewers: 38-30 – 20th in outfield WAR via Fangraphs – WRC of 87
• Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, Avisail Garcia, Jackie Bradley Jr.

Yelich is hurt but will play if healthy. Garcia playing well enough so far this season to stick in the lineup. Bradley can’t hit the broad side of a barn. Cain is slowing down but is playing okay so far. This is the least likely one because of the combo of potential talent (Yelich) and money, as Cain, Bradley, and Garcia have $71.5 or so over the next two years. Still, it could look something like this.

Taking back one of the outfielders may seem like it defeats the purpose of dealing Fraley, but you have to look at what else they would get here to make it worth it. Having a vet bat near the end of their career can help stability both on the field and in the clubhouse as well. Plus, if he plays well, they could trade him away again to a contender with those same reasons in mind. The team doesn’t need to worry about salary, as they hardly have any on the books through the 2022 season.

They would also get a potential answer at second base in Keston Huira. After an incredible rookie season, it’s been a bit of a struggle for Huira in 2020/21. He is still just 24, and a change of scenery could be the answer to help him regain his confidence. This would let the Mariners keep Moore in a utility position, and give Huira rests more often than you would to a starting second baseman.

With the recent emergence of Shed Long Jr, it might complicate things in getting another young guy to play that role of second base/utility. If the team really does like Shed Long that much, and trust him enough, then it would make something like this a lot more difficult to put through.

Time will tell if Jake Fraley sticks around with the Mariners, or if Dipoto deals him away at more than market/perceived value. For now, let’s enjoy how exciting Jake Fraley has been for the Mariners.