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Can the Mariners make the deal of the century for Juan Soto?

Michael Thompson|
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 12: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals bats against the New York Mets in the ninth inning at Nationals Park on May 12, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 12: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals bats against the New York Mets in the ninth inning at Nationals Park on May 12, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 16: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox takes batting practice before a game against the Houston Astros on May 17, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 16: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox takes batting practice before a game against the Houston Astros on May 17, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Reason #3: The Mariners need it to make the jump

Let’s be honest, it is still very clear that Seattle is not the place to be for free agents. Most of the game’s best stars can’t even remember the last time the Mariners played playoff baseball. Most teams in these situations have to massively overpay to sign one player, hoping it opens the doors for others. The Cruz signing doesn’t happen without the Cano deal. The same can be said for acquiring Soto.

A trade for Juan Soto this winter is the equivalent to the Seattle Seahawks or Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL hitting the gold mine with young superstar quarterbacks in Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes. Both teams used the cheaper deals to build deep and talented teams around their cheap QB’s. With his contract not going into effect until 2025, that leaves no excuses for Seattle to capitalize off of a Soto acquisition and continue to spend big. They need to surround a real and deep offense around the incredible talents of Julio and Soto.

The Mariners have long-term holes and questions at third base and catcher. This off-season just happens to have star players in Boston’s Xander Bogarts and Chicago’s Wilson Contreras coming onto the market. Both players are likely on the move and Bogarts will eventually needs to move off of shortstop, making Seattle a fit.

A lineup that has Crawford, France, Winker, Bogarts and Contreras and led by the young dynamic duo of Julio Rodriguez and Juan Soto? That’s a real championship contending lineup.

The Seattle Mariners have been irrelevant for too long, and this season has not started well. They have the assets, the money and a reputation with the league and fanbase that needs to change soon. It’s very rare when a franchise changing player becomes available, and when that moment presents itself, you absolutely have to go all in.

There’s enough smoke in the air to see that a Juan Soto sweepstakes is on the horizon. The Seattle Mariners need to be ready to make the deal of the century.

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