5 under-the-radar trade candidates for Mariners to solve third base for 2025

The Seattle Mariners and Jerry Dipoto must approach this offseason as a make-or-break one. Not only have the Mariners missed the playoffs in each of the last two years after breaking a 20-year playoff drought, but Dipoto could find himself on the hot seat if expectations are not met again.

The problem for Dipoto is the lack of financial support from ownership, paired with a pretty bad infield free agent class. As per the usual for a GM dubbed "Trade Jerry", he much prefers the trade route. The list of names is endless, so long as you are willing to pay the price, and that is something they need to be aggressive with this winter.

While many fans and analysts may focus on big name targets like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Isaac Paredes and Josh Naylor, Dipoto seems to come up with players that no one expected him to snag each offseason, and this year should be no different.

With a number of holes in the infield and the aforementioned budget limitations, Dipoto will have to find an underrated, or possibly even a bounce-back candidate at one of the positions. Someone that many fans may not be expecting will likely be called upon in a large capacity, but who could actually solve the third base issue?

5 under-the-radar trade candidates for Mariners to solve third base for 2025

Ramon Urias

The Orioles and Mariners will likely be regular trade partners this offseason. The Orioles have a number of offensive weapons while desperately needing some pitching help, both in the bullpen and rotation. This should set up plenty of conversations for a swap between the two playoff hopeful clubs.

While many Mariners fans would love for the team to swing a move for Jordan Westburg, that just doesn't seem likely without moving one of the Mariners five starting pitchers. Ramon Urias, however, who may find himself relegated to a bench role, could make a lot of sense for Seattle.

Urias isn't an impact bat that produces runs in the middle of the lineup, but he offers exactly what this team needs: more certainty, more athleticism, and fewer strikeouts. Urias is a career .262/.328/.408 hitter with a 109 wRC+. He has spent time at every infield spot, but that doesn't mean he needs to be strictly a utility player. An above-average hitter against lefties and righties, Urias could provide some stability at a position the M's have struggled to fill in the last couple of years.

Jose Miranda

Miranda put together one of the most impressive feats we have seen in recent memory when he went 12 consecutive at-bats with a hit, tying an MLB record. Miranda had one of the more underrated seasons among third baseman, mainly because he doesn't wow anyone with his power. He did, however, post an impressive .441 slugging percentage and a 115 wRC+. His .284/.322/.441 slash line would play very well for the Mariners and his 15.4% strikeout rate would be a welcome addition to a team that regularly is among the league leaders in Ks.

The Twins and Mariners made a fairly significant trade just last offseason, so the teams should still be pretty familiar with each other's rosters and farm systems, potentially expediting the process. The Twins, like the Orioles, have a number of talented infielders and could look to capitalize on Miranda's solid year to restock their farm.

Jordan Walker

The Cardinals and Mariners will also be matched up quite a bit this offseason. However, this move is perhaps the biggest Dipoto could make from this list of players. A former top prospect and one of the most physically imposing baseball players in the league, Walker would be fun to watch in Seattle.

A breakout rookie season in 2023 saw him slash .276/.342/.445, good for a 116 wRC+. He hit 16 home runs and stole seven bases while maintaining solid walk (8%) and strikeout (22.4%) numbers. Unfortunately, Walker struggled mightily in 2024, slashing just .201/.253/.366, a 72 wRC+, and hit just five home runs in 51 games before being sent down to Triple-A. His strikeout rate spiked to 28.1% and he just couldn't replicate the same success from 2023.

Walker is too talented of a player and doesn't turn 23 until May of 2025. There is just so much upside here, and if the Cardinals are willing to move him this could be a home run type of move for Dipoto.

Brett Baty

If there is one thing that DIpoto loves, it is former top prospects, and Baty seems like the ideal candidate for a former top prospect that needs a change of scenery. Baty was once one of the top prospects in the Mets system and made it as high as the No. 21 overall prospect according to MLBPipeline.com but hasn't been able to put it all together.

Once given 60-grade hit tool by MLB Pipeline, Baty's left-handed swing could play extremely well in Seattle. A .215/.282/.325 slash line in just 544 at-bats over three years might look like a failed top prospect, but Baty hasn't put up a slugging percentage below .450 in his five minor league seasons. The former 12th overall pick could be a cheap option (not arbitration eligible until 2027) for Dipoto to explore, with the Mets needing some pitching and bullpen help. With the emergence of Mark Vientos at third base, Steve Cohen could look to move Baty in hopes of improving other parts of their roster. If he decides to do that, this could become one of the best under-the-radar moves Dipoto could make.

Matt Vierling

Matt Vierling has quietly been a solid hitter for the Tigers during his two years there. In two full seasons, he has slashed .259/.320/.406 with 26 home runs in 278 games. Vierling played a big role in a young offense that surprised many and knocked the Houston Astros off the American League pedestal.

With GM Scott Harris saying that the financial support could come after the foundation is built, this could be the time for Detroit to spend big. A fit like Alex Bregman or Willy Adames could transform their offense, while allowing them to move Matt Vierling for help in other areas, If the Tigers decide to shop Vierling, Dipoto and Hollander would be wise to consider the underrated third baseman.