ESPN proposes another blockbuster 3-team mock trade involving the Mariners

Likely absent from any serious, big-ticket free agent discussions, the Mariners could instead look to the trade front to make their first big splash of the offseason. With so many roster issues to fix and so little time, what should be at the top of their Christmas list? While some trade proposals from outside the organization are quite simple, like swapping arms for bats, others have a few more moving parts.

In an article detailing one big move for every team this winter, ESPN went really big and suggested the Mariners take part in a three-team swap involving the Phillies and Cubs. The trade would involve sending Alec Bohm and Nico Hoerner to the Mariners, Luis Castillo and Harry Ford to the Cubs, and Cody Bellinger to the Phillies.

Having two new infielders to fill critical holes would be a massive upgrade for the 2025 roster, especially given the quality of Bohm and Hoerner's recent on-field contributions.

Bohm just had the best year of his career, posting a 117 OPS+ and 3.0 rWAR on the way to his first All-Star nod. He also hit 44 doubles and 15 home runs, with 97 RBI over his 606 plate appearances. His power and RBI capabilities give him a similar profile to 2022 Eugenio Suárez but with significantly better plate discipline and strikeout numbers. He also has strong fielding range (but average DRS figures), so expect a step back from the fielding contributions of Josh Rojas.

Mariners Rumors: ESPN proposes 3-team trade involving Seattle, Alec Bohm and Nico Hoerner

Hoerner's 2024 was the least impressive out of his past three seasons, but it was still a quality performance nonetheless. Although he had just a 101 OPS+, he still managed 3.7 rWAR due to weak offensive showings from second basemen across the board and his strong defense. He may not be prime Ryne Sandberg, but his consistency and strong on-base skills will undoubtedly be an upgrade over Jorge Polanco's cumulative contributions.

Interestingly enough, this isn't the only three-team trade that has been put on the table, but it's the one that seems to have the most promise for Seattle. The Mariners need infielders, and with their wealth of young pitching talent and Luis Castillo's pricey salary, they could cut down on payroll while capitalizing on one of their most valuable trade assets. Harry Ford is a great prospect, but with Cal Raleigh starting to hit his athletic prime, there may not be room for Ford to get significant major-league playing time soon, making him more useful to other teams.

The Cubs are just one arm away from having an incredibly solid rotation for the next few years. Who's to say Castillo wouldn't be the missing puzzle piece? It also wouldn't hurt for them to get the No. 49-ranked prospect in MLB as Miguel Amaya probably isn't the catcher they need to win long-term and Moisés Ballesteros has spent more of his minor-league playing time as a designated hitter as of late.

The Phillies admittedly seem like the one being shortchanged, but there's still merit to deeming Cody Bellinger worthy of the loss of Bohm. The team is looking to reinvent their outfield this offseason and Bellinger could be exactly what they need. He regressed after his first year in Chicago was a resounding success, but still had great plate discipline numbers while squaring up the ball better than 89% of qualified hitters. His exit velocities haven't changed much since his darkest days in Los Angeles, so his optimal launch angles were to credit for his 139 OPS+ in 2023. Thus, there's a chance a few minor swing adjustments could get him back on track and bring stability to an otherwise shaky outfield in Philadelphia.

Would this transaction be an exciting way for the front office to usher in the new season? Absolutely. Is it likely to go through? Probably not. But it's a good way to illustrate the quality of players the team should be seeking and what they should be willing to give away if a trade will ultimately be the source of an infusion for the roster.