3 Blue Jays trade targets Mariners should pursue aggressively

It is time to aggressively dig into the offseason plan for the Seattle Mariners. We've been getting a ton of roster news as of late, as well as speculation about potential players that could be on the move. This offseason is as important as ever, not only because the Mariners have now missed the playoffs the last two years, but Jerry Dipoto could be on the hot seat in 2025. The pressure is on, and with what should another offseason with budget restrictions, he will have to get creative yet again.

Will Dipoto and the Mariners be able to swim in the free agent waters to address their needs? Could guys like Christian Walker or Anthony Santander make their way to the Pacific Northwest? It is possible, but unlikely.

It seems obvious at this point that Dipoto prefers (or he might be forced due to payroll limitations) the trade route. One team that might match up well is the Toronto Blue Jays. As they look to be on the tipping point of deciding between contending or embracing a rebuild, they have some impact players that could expedite the latter choice.

3 Blue Jays trade targets that could transform Seattle Mariners offense in 2025

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

What better way to improve your offense than to get one of the best sluggers in the game? That's exactly what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is after posting the sixth highest wRC+ in all of baseball in 2024. The soon-to-be 26-year-old is the single best player the Mariners could realistically acquire this offseason, and he just so happens to fill a pretty big hole. Guerrero Jr. would instantly slot in as the everyday first baseman, allowing Luke Raley to DH, or rotate in as the fourth outfielder and become the best run producer in the middle of the lineup.

Vladdy is only under control through 2025, and his arbitration number is estimated to be at $29.6 million, which could pose a major problem from a financial standpoint. Fitting the first baseman into the budget might require some bold moves from Dipoto (like dumping either Mitch Garver or Mitch Haniger's salary, which could cost some major prospects), or a serious commitment from ownership that we haven't exactly seen before.

We know that Dipoto was interested in Guerrero at the trade deadline, but who knows how far those conversations got. The price might be hard for Seattle to swallow and could end up being the only major move made this offseason. It'd require some bargain-bin hunting for the other infield spots, but acquiring one of the best hitters in the game is a relatively simple way to address the offense.

Bo Bichette

Speaking of addressing the infield, the Blue Jays have another talented hitter that solves one of Seattle's biggest needs. Bo Bichette had a pretty bad 2024 season by his standards, but he dealt with injuries.

Prior to 2024, Bichette was a regular .300 hitter with 20-30 home run potential and maintained solid strikeout numbers. The shortstop was regularly a 4-5 WAR player by Fangraphs measurement and would immediately become a top weapon for the M's. While the move would require either Bichette or JP Crawford to accept a position change, it is an immediate upgrade to the infield both offensively and defensively.

In regard to a potential trade for the young shortop, Blue Jays GM, Ross Atkins stated that it was "an easy no." Any team looking to acquire Bichette isn't going to get him for a discount, as it looks pretty obvious that the 2024 season was not the norm for the former All-Star. Like Vladdy, Bichette would only be under contract through 2025 before becoming a free agent, somewhat limiting the return that Toronto could get back.

Though it would be an obvious wave of the white flag and signal a rebuild, Bichette and Vladdy would garner solid returns. If the Blue Jays are entertaining that, the Mariners need to be all over it.

Erik Swanson

While the first two names on this list are obvious upgrades offensively and would just require a prospect package, a deal for Erik Swanson would be extremely tricky, considering the 31-year-old reliever was terrible in 2024 and is estimated to make $3.2 million in arbitration. In 2024, Swanson threw 39 1/3 innings with a 5.03 ERA and his walk and strikeout numbers were the worst of his career.

However, in his time with Seattle and in his first year with the Blue Jays, the righty was one of the more underrated relievers in the game. His 2022 season with the Mariners was a dominant one, so much so that he was a key piece in the Teoscar Hernandez package. In 2022, he threw 53 2/3 innings with a 1.68 ERA and career-best 11.7 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9 rates. While these numbers may be the outliers, a return to Seattle and the pitching factor that helped change Swanson's career may be just what he needs.

Again, his estimated arbitration number poses a serious issue as he is likely a non-tender candidate, but perhaps the Mariners and Toronto see some value in a deal. Maybe Toronto is willing to eat most of his money in exchange for a low-level prospect. There is also the chance that Seattle just waits for Toronto to non-tender Swanson, and signs him to a minor league contract. Either way, Swanson was once a dominant Mariners reliever, and they should look to bring him back in for the 2025 season as a solid bounce-back candidate.