4 infielders the Mariners must have their eye on for midseason trades

After the first few weeks of the 2025 season, the Seattle Mariners find themselves in a bit of a holding pattern around the infield. With several positions still lacking clear long-term solutions, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the team is in search mode, evaluating both internal options and potential external reinforcements.

As Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reported on April 11, the Mariners are exploring both internal and external solutions for the infield. It’s still early in the season, which means most teams are hesitant to make a big move until their own playoff outlooks come into focus.

But that won’t last forever. As the trade deadline approaches, the phones will start ringing — and it’s likely that Seattle won’t be shy when it comes to making a deal.

So, who could they target? Let’s take a look at a few infielders that might be on the Mariners' radar as the deadline nears — including some names from teams they’ve done business with before.

4 infielders the Mariners must have their eye on for midseason trades

2B/OF - Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays

Brandon Lowe is a name that’s been floated in connection with the Mariners before — and for good reason. The veteran second baseman brings a good mix of pop, experience, and postseason pedigree that could instantly lengthen Seattle’s lineup.

Over eight MLB seasons, Lowe has established himself as a reliable power bat, slashing .245/.328/.479 for his career with a steady OPS+ of 124. He’s no stranger to big moments, finishing in the top-10 of MVP voting in both 2020 and 2021 — the latter being a huge breakout year where he launched 39 home runs and drove in 99 runs.

At the plate, Lowe is striking out at a 24.2 percent clip so far this season, just a tick below league average, but his power has traditionally been enough to justify the swing-and-miss. He’s a lefty slugger with a pull-heavy approach — something that could play well at T-Mobile Park depending on how the Mariners stack their lineup around him.

Defensively, there are questions. Lowe’s range at second base has declined in recent seasons, and would probably be better served in a corner outfield spot more often than not — and that could be a sticking point for Seattle. With the Mariners already prioritizing run prevention and infield versatility, adding a limited defender could bring hesitation. That said, if the offense sputters and a lefty power bat becomes a glaring need, don’t be surprised if the Brandon Lowe rumor mill starts churning again.

1B - Luis Arraez, San Diego Padres

In an era defined by strikeouts and launch angles, Luis Arraez remains a unicorn: a high-contact, low-strikeout batter who lives to put the ball in play. If you’re the Mariners — a team that has made cutting down strikeouts a clear 2025 priority — this is exactly the kind of bat you build a philosophy around.

The numbers are staggering. Arraez owns a career strikeout rate of just 6.7 percent, and through the early weeks of 2025, he’s trimmed that number all the way down to an absurd 2.3 percent. For context, that’s less than a quarter of the MLB average. He’s coming off a 2024 campaign where he struck out only 4.3 percent of the time. Simply put, he puts the ball in play more than anyone in baseball.

Now, the knock on Arraez has always been his lack of power. He’s not hitting missiles into the upper deck — in fact, his average exit velocity and hard-hit rate routinely rank near the bottom of the league. But what he does offer is timely hitting, strong bat-to-ball skills, and a knack for spraying line drives all over the field. That type of profile could be exactly what Seattle needs, especially in T-Mobile Park where offense often goes to die.

Arraez is in a contract year. Set to hit free agency after the 2025 season, he would be a true rental — but a potentially perfect one. If the Mariners want to inject a reliable top-of-the-order bat into their lineup without overhauling the roster, Arraez is a name to circle.

SS - Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays

This might feel like a stretch — and to be fair, it kind of is — but don’t completely dismiss the idea of Bo Bichette in a Mariners uniform. The price tag in prospect capital would be steep, no doubt. But he's set to hit free agency and if Toronto can’t get an extension done, the deadline could force their hand.

The Blue Jays have maintained publicly that they want to extend Bichette. But actions speak louder than words. They’ve already committed over $500 million to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shelled out another $156 million this past offseason on long-term deals. It’s fair to wonder how exactly they plan to keep Bichette in the fold. If they can’t, a deadline deal — even a painful one — becomes realistic.

Despite a down 2024 season where Bichette hit just .225, his career resume speaks for itself. He’s a hit machine with a .290 career average, and he’s bouncing back in a big way in 2025. Through his first 19 games, he’s slashing .305/.348/.402 and driving in runs at a steady clip with 11 RBIs — looking more like the player who received MVP votes from 2021 to 2023.

Now, Bichette is a shortstop by trade, and the Mariners aren’t moving J.P. Crawford off the position. But shifting Bichette to second base? That could work. It would give Seattle an instant upgrade in the middle infield and a much-needed offensive jolt from a player who thrives in pressure situations.

It would take some capital to pull off a deal like this. But if the Mariners find themselves in contention and Bichette is truly on the market, it’s a bold swing worth considering.

2B - Amed Rosario, Washington Nationals

Amed Rosario isn’t a name that’s been connected to the Mariners — at least not yet. But that’s exactly what makes him an intriguing under-the-radar option for Seattle as they explore ways to solidify second base. Currently on a one year deal worth $2 million, Rosario profiles as a low-risk, cost-effective rental who could quietly help this team stay afloat without sacrificing any major long-term assets.

Rosario has gotten off to a strong start in his new home. Through his first 11 games with the Nats, he’s batting .273 with a home run, two RBIs, and a stolen base. It’s a small sample — just 34 plate appearances — but it’s the type of production that suggests he still has value. His strikeout rate sits at 8.8 percent, well below league average.

He’s not going to change the trajectory of Seattle’s playoff push like the other three names potentially could. But it shouldn't hurt the Mariners farm to send over a couple prospects to a rebuilding Nationals organization to receive some veteran stability in return. He could hold down second base, add some speed and athleticism, and allow the Mariners to avoid rushing top prospect Cole Young into a role he may not yet be ready for.

While it’s still too early to say which names will officially hit the trade block, one thing is certain. The Mariners can’t afford to wait forever. If they want to stay in the playoff mix and keep pace in a competitive AL West, fortifying the infield will be a must.