Mariners are better off chasing the All-Star Padres RP who's not Mason Miller

Wednesday's rubber match versus the Reds offered just the latest example of a Mariners bullpen implosion, reinforcing their need for quality relief help. The cheat code known as Mason Miller remains the Holy Grail but, assuming the Padres do actually agree to trade him, the return haul will be hefty one. As such, perhaps the M's should instead consider his teammate, Adrian Morejon.

As per Kevin Acee of The San Deigo Union-Tribune, the Padres are reportedly not ruling anything out, including the possibility of trading Morejon. It makes sense that they are trending towards being sellers at the Aug. 3 deadline, sitting 14.5 games behind the Dodgers and with a losing record. As such it's up to the Mariners to take advantage of this situation, as they remain very much in the hunt despite also having a losing record, due to playing in a division considered the weakest in the majors.

Morejon isn't pitching at the same level as last season, when he was named an All-Star for the first time in what was a career year. Still, his 3.44 ERA, 1.111 WHIP and 27.6 percent strikeout rate in 2026 are all better than his career averages. Besides, a look under the car hood makes you realize he's been pitching even better than it might appear on a peripheral level.

Adrian Morejon on course for a different kind of career year in the majors

You only have to look at his pitch modeling metrics to be enamored, with his 134 Pitching+ ranking best among all qualifying Major League relievers. His fastball is averaging a career-high 99.5 mph, while his changeup has a 51.4 Whiff%. He ranks in the top decile in a whole host of categories, including the 99th percentile for Barrel%, GB% and Fastball Velo, as well as the 97th percentile for Chase% and xERA.

In relation to xERA, there are a number of categories where Morejon is on course for career bests. In each case, the expected numbers are also better than the actual results. The point being that, with slightly more favorable outcomes, he can be even more effective:

What would also help the Mariners if they decide to pursue Morejon, is that he's a free agent following this season. The cost acquisition will be nowhere near as much as for Miller, with the Padres being much more reasonable in any demands. Financially speaking, his salary for this season is $3.9 million, meaning the M's would only be on the hook for around $1.3 million.

One final thing to consider, is that it might be a good idea to have a third quality southpaw in the bullpen behind Jose A. Ferrer and Gabe Speier. This has been a banner year for left-handed hitters with some good ones in the American League, including Yordan Alvarez, Ben Rice, Nick Kurtz, Riley Greene and Kevin McGonigle.

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