4 nightmare scenarios for Seattle Mariners at 2025 trade deadline

Seattle Mariners fans are hopeful that this year's trade deadline will bring new talent to Seattle, and there is a good chance that it will. But what happens if things go downhill?

Here are four ways the Seattle Mariners' trade deadline hopes could turn into a nightmare scenario.

4 things the Mariners hope don't happen ahead of the trade deadline

1. The Diamondbacks hold

Everyone was expecting the Arizona Diamondbacks to sell at the deadline this year, and that process officially began on Thursday when they traded All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor to the Mariners. For Seattle, the hope still seems to be that Eugenio Suárez will be next.

However, there may still a chance that Arizona decides to stop short of blowing it up. They could perhaps even decide to buy at the deadline to make a postseason push. At 50-53, they are 5.0 games back of the San Diego Padres for the final NL Wild Card spot. If they get hot at the right time, that is a hole they can dig out of.

If Arizona holds (or buys) at the deadline, that would nix whatever hope the Mariners have of scoring Naylor and Suárez before July 31.

2. Somebody else trades for Suárez, Mariners trade for Nolan Arenado in desparation

This has the potential to be disastrous. If the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets or another third base-needy contender beats the Mariners to Eugenio Suárez, they might start feeling desperate about their situation at third base. It could lead the Mariners to make a risky decision, such as trading for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado.

Once a perennial All-Star and Gold Glove winner, Arenado appears to be well past his prime. The 34-year-old is also owed $37 million by St. Louis in 2026 and 2027, and the Mariners would likely have to take on most of that money in a trade.

Wasting money and prospect capital on an Arenado trade would make no sense for the Mariners, so let's hope Jerry Dipoto is smart enough to avoid those conversations even if the team does miss out on Suárez.

3. The Rangers get aggressive and land the bats they need

Texas just keeps lurking. At 53-50, they trail Seattle by just 2.0 games in the AL Wild Card chase. Their run differential of +61 is already better than the Mariners' +19, and they have an expected record of 59-44.

It's no secret what the Rangers need. They need offense. Texas is 24th in runs scored, but its pitching staff has allowed the fewest runs in baseball. That should scare the rest of the American League.

If Texas does get the bats they need and can get hot for a postseason run, they have the best rotation in baseball. It makes them very dangerous come the postseason, should they get there. The Mariners should pray Texas does not get aggressive and fails to land the bats to jolt their offense.

4. Another Yimi García situation

In 2024, the Mariners traded for Yimi García in an effort to shore up their bullpen for the postseason. The deal turned out to be a downright disaster. Garcia had a 2.70 ERA in 29 games with the Blue Jays, but after arriving in Seattle, he posted a 6.00 ERA in 10 games.

Relievers are always volatile, but the Mariners need to be careful if they decide to upgrade their bullpen. Last year, they thought they were making the pen better when, in reality, they were making it much worse. Hopefully, they will avoid a similar outcome in 2025.