Mariners: A Trade Target From Each A.L. Central Team

Cleveland Guardians – OF Bradley Zimmer

Bradley Zimmer is a slightly similar player to Adam Engel, but he has not had the good offensive numbers that Engel has put up. Zimmer has been more available by contrast and is every bit as fast and good defensively. Zimmer had 3 DRS in 2021, in many more attempts compared to Engel. Zimmer is a lefty, compared to the right-handed Engel. Zimmer played in 99 games last year for Cleveland, amassing 1.1 WAR, and putting up a 89 wRC+.

The reason that the Mariners would target Zimmer is that when compared to Jake Fraley, Zimmer can help out in different ways that are more valuable. Zimmer can play center field, Fraley cannot, and  Zimmer is faster than Fraley. The ability to play center field is needed for the M’s in 2022, so Zimmer is a better fit for the club’s fourth outfielder going forward. Zimmer also has a much longer track record of being healthy and being a competent big leaguer than Fraley.

This is another simple swap of players who are not key cogs for their current teams but would fit better by being traded. Zimmer would be a good fit for the M’s, and Swanson would be a good fit for the Guardians. The Guardians need to add pitching help for their bullpen, and Swanson had a fairly good season for the Mariners last year. Also, Bradley Zimmer fits the Mariners need in center field for next year.

This is another even swap of players that would be dealt from players that would fit better in a new situation. The next trade target is one for the starting rotation.