Mariners are a trade fit for Dylan Crews, but must beware his Jarred Kelenic energy

People of a certain vintage and cinephiles alike, will most likely have some familiarity with the film Dirty Harry. More specifically Clint Eastwood's character, when he says: "You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?" And while the context is different, this famous phrase came to mind when considering the possibility of the Mariners making a trade for Dylan Crews.

As per Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic (subscription required), Crews has reportedly emerged as a popular name in trade talks. Nusbaum notes that this growing interest has been fueled by a dearth of available right-handed-hitting outfielders on the market. Additionally, Nationals team executives have apparently indicated they are on the hunt for controllable starting pitching, which very much puts the Mariners in the crosshairs as a potential trade partner.

Crews certainly make for an interesting buy-low target in theory, and the talent is seemingly there as someone who is just three years removed from being the second overall draft pick behind Paul Skenes. However, unlike Skenes, the 24-year-old has yet to fulfill his potential. What should really give the Mariners reason for pause though, is that he's giving off some Jarred Kelenic vibes.

Plenty of Mariners fans still grimace at the thought of Kelenic and what could have been. A sixth overall pick who at one point was the No. 4 prospect in baseball and ranked even higher than Julio Rodríguez. Today though, he's a free agent who has failed to deliver on his undoubted talent despite getting chances with three organizations since leaving the Mariners, and is now instead being projected as an all-time draft bust.

Mariners need to be careful about possibly trading for Jarred Kelenic 2.0

To be clear, we don't want to slam the door completely shut yet on Kelenic's Major League career. We'd actually be over the moon if he found a way to turn it all around, but it's just not looking good as things stand. What's been clear with the Waukesha, Wisconsin native over the years is that the majority of his issues have been mental rather physical, which brings us back to Crews.

We're not in the habit of psychoanalyzing players, but if you forgive us this amateur hour 'diagnosis,' Crews walked away from the 2026 season with a defiant edge which concerns us slightly. As per Barry Svrluga of The Athletic back in September, he said: "I feel it’s a steady progression throughout the whole year. Feel like I’ve learned a lot — and some of it was unlucky."

In theory, what Crews said is fine. However, when steady progression translates to improving to a career-best .223 batting average and .663 OPS in his third year of Major League action, this is very underwhelming. Further, a look under the hood reveals his lack of productivity is not down to any bad luck.

Crews just hasn't been able to hit, as he finished the 2026 campaign ranking in the 11th percentile for Batting Run Value. What's particularly concerning though, is that his plate discipline has actually gotten worse during his MLB career. As noted by Svrluga, in 2026 he swung at more pitches outside the strike zone compared to during his rookie year. As much as this might allude to trying harder to make an impression, the optics still don't look good.

Does Dylan Crews have what it takes to back up his confidence and fulfill his potential?

Crews still believes he's a five-tool player which, again, is fine in theory. Most of the top professional athletes have an almost audacious confidence in their talents, which ultimately helps them succeed. Pending resolving his issues with the bat, he has tremendous speed once on base while defensively, this past season he ranked in the 87th percentile for Range (OAA). However, it's important to readjust your outlook when things aren't going well overall, perhaps taking a step back and being more humble.

This is where we worry that Crews has it wrong, which once more brings us to Kelenic. Back in 2023 during spring training, the then-Mariners outfielder said his lack of Major League success was not down to any lack of ability. As per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, he said he'd learned a lot during the offseason, and this was going to result in a lot more success and winning.

In fainess Kelenic did come out of the gates firing on all cylinders and through the end of April had a .982 OPS and 171 wRC+. However, things then started to go wrong and he just wasn't equipped mentally to deal with his struggles. The breaking point -- quite literally -- came in late July when he broke his foot after kicking a Gatorade cooler in frustration. This effectively sealed his fate in Seattle as the Mariners traded him to Atlanta during the offseason, and he's struggled to stick with a team ever since.

Ultimately, if the Mariners want to make a move for Crews then by all means go for it. As much as the Nationals might be claiming they would "need to be blown away" by an offer, this seems like hopeful bluster for an organization that needs controllable starting pitching, which the M's can offer. At the same time however, Jerry Dipoto must use Kelenic as a cautionary tale, when making a final decision on any potential trade.

Do you feel lucky, Dipoto? Well, do ya?

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow