Cal Raleigh has created a trade deadline reality for Mariners top prospect

We're more than a week into June and it doesn't seem like Cal Raleigh is slowing down any time soon. Even with the Seattle Mariners' recent struggles, he has done his best to put the squad on his back. If he keeps it up, his 2025 might go down as one of the most historic campaigns in modern history.

He leads the lineup in nearly all major offensive categories and is comfortably the most valuable player by rWAR (3.9), which is great for everyone involved except for Harry Ford.

Cal Raleigh's emergence as a superstar has put the Mariners in a hard spot with Harry Ford

Ford has been having a top-notch year himself, posting a 137 wRC+ in his first year with Triple-A Tacoma. Yet his future as a Mariner has never been more in question. With the trade deadline steadily approaching and Seattle still narrowly behind the division-leading Houston Astros, he could end up being the organization's most valuable trade chip if the Mariners decide to buy at the deadline.

For any other team, Ford would be an outstanding talent to build around. He has been a name to watch ever since he was drafted 12th overall in 2021 and few catching prospects match his well-rounded skillset. There were some questions after he saw offensive regression in Double-A Arkansas last year, particularly in the power department, but his .315/.429/.464 slash line over 219 plate appearances with the Rainiers have put those concerns to rest.

Unfortunately for Ford, the one team that doesn't seem to need him is the very one that drafted him. With Raleigh's abilities and new extension, it will be years before Ford can get the reps that he needs at the big league level. In fact, Jerry Dipoto said as much when asked about a potential timeline for him to be called up.

If the Mariners want to go out and get more help for their 2025 postseason push (and they sure do need it) and they want to do it without surrendering one of their prized starting pitchers, trading away Ford could be their only avenue to getting an impact bat or bullpen arm. If the Mariners aren't able to find a suitable buyer this year, he could also get moved in the offseason if the team decides to retool.

As dissatisfied as you might be with the lack of impact moves the front office made during this past offseason, they have been known to be buyers at the trade deadline, especially as of late. With their postseason chances still at 54.8 percent at FanGraphs, it should be another year of shopping for the Mariners and Harry Ford could be the one to bring home the final piece of the puzzle.