Dodgers stealing Hyeseong Kim from Mariners could open up trade possibility

In one of the most pivotal offseasons in recent memory, the Mariners and Jerry Dipoto have completely failed thus far. The team has let great fits like Christian Walker sign with a division rival, while seemingly showing no interest in signing any free agents that could provide some offensive spark outside of Justin Turner or Carlos Santana. Woof.

At this point in the offseason, however, fans were just calling for any move. It looks like Dipoto, once again, has misjudged the market and completely whiffed on a number of players. Now they are forced to either shop in the free agent bin with a lot more question marks or make a big trade and potentially be forced to over pay.

A lot of rumors surfaced that the Mariners were one of the final teams interested in the services of Hyesong Kim, a Korean second baseman that fit the mold of the direction of this offense perfectly. It was mentioned that the Mariners offer was not the highest, however, which is frustrating considering they have shelled out next to nothing this winter.

The deadline for Kim to sign was Friday afternoon, and to no surprise of anyone around the league, he chose to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. My, how the rich get richer. Kim isn't an elite-level free agent, but he is good enough to be starting on many teams around the league. If the Dodgers opt to use him as an everyday starter and care to address other needs, they could opt to trade their current second baseman, lining up a possible perfect deal with the Mariners.

A Dodgers-Mariners trade for Gavin Lux could solve the Mariners second base problem

Gavin Lux may not seem like the high-profile free agent many fans hope the team would go after this winter, but he is a very good player and fits the needs of this team well. Lux will be 27 years old for the entire 2025 season and is going to be making an estimated $2.7 million in his second year of arbitration eligibility. That's a completely reasonable price for a former top prospect who has combined to put up a 4.2 fWAR over the last two seasons (2022 and 2024, due to missing all of 2023).

In 2022, Lux hit .276/.346/.399 with a 113 wRC+ and, after missing all of 2023, he put up another solid 2024 season, slashing .251/.320/.383 for a 100 wRC+. Lux plays decent defense and, considering the production that the Mariners have gotten at second base over the last few years, he would look like an All-Star at the keystone in Seattle.

The Dodgers will need to create roster space and may not have the proper leverage, so perhaps the Mariners swoop in for a low-cost deal that benefits all.