New year, new offensive weapon? It's been a quiet offseason for Seattle Mariners fans. One of the goals for 2025 is to acquire a first baseman. As the days trickle down toward spring training, the desire to make an impact move increase.
We recently learned the Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly interested in acquiring Mariners top prospect Harry Ford, which could open the door for the M's to solve their offensive woes at the big-league level.
Starting pitcher Luis Castillo was considered a trade chip for a potential infielder such as Boston's Triston Casas, but the Mariners were not receiving a return to their liking.
Not too long after this, Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer listed potential landing spots for MLB players whose names have been in trade talks. One of the players listed is San Diego infielder Luis Arráez, who the Padres have considered trading.
Despite posting a 1.0 bWAR season, Arráez finished his third consecutive season with a batting average of over .300 and his second consecutive season with 200 hits. Arráez was also in the 100th percentile (!!!) in whiff rate.
Given the Mariners' struggles last season on offense, Rymer listed Seattle as the "best fit" for Arráez, where he will take over first base duties should. The entire trade is as follows:
Seattle receives: 1B Luis Arráez
San Diego receives: DH Mitch Garver and INF Michael Arroyo
Rymer's prediction is an excellent trade idea for Jerry Dipoto and the Mariners. Seattle would receive one of the best overall hitters in the game for next season. Trading Garver makes sense, as he did not produce in his first season with Seattle and, like Arráez, would be a free agent in 2026. Arroyo, who MLB lists as the 12th-best prospect in Seattle's organization, has an ETA of 2027.
One notable concern about Arráez is his defense. As elite as he was with the bat, Arraez held a -3 DRS at first base and an overall -1.0 dWAR last year, but that should not stop the Mariners from asking about the three-time All-Star. If Dipoto is able to send Garver and a high-end prospect to San Diego, it will be the highlight of the offseason by far.