Mariners could execute perfect plan to trade from starting rotation with this move

Every offseason splits Mariners fans into two groups: those that are optimistic enough to believe that the front office will make a big impact signing and those that have been disappointed too many times to be fooled again.

The latter group is, at least on paper, more justified in their beliefs. The Mariners are almost never included in serious free agent rumors because of their limited budget, but the unique case of Roki Sasaki could rewrite the narrative in their favor.

Sasaki is following in the footsteps of Shohei Ohtani by attempting to come to MLB before he turns 25, foregoing a Yamamoto-sized contract for a few extra years of MLB play. Thus, because of international posting rules, he will be subject to the same rules as any international amateur free agent.

He'll receive the league-minimum salary (accompanied by an international signing bonus) and have to accumulate major-league service time before hitting arbitration and reaching free agency. With this rare combination of spectacular talent and capped price, every team should actively be competing for his services.

Mariners Rumors: Roki Sasaki can help Seattle make starting rotation trade

The only way teams can compete financially will be the total amount given to Sasaki from each club's international signing bonus pool. Tied at the top of the list with seven other teams are the Mariners with a little over $7.5 million to pay out. Still, the difference between the largest and smallest pools is relatively small, so each team will also have to appeal to Sasaki in different ways.

First, there are rumors that Sasaki prefers to sign with a smaller market team, a result of a contentious relationship with Japanese press that has only worsened over the past few years. Secondly, Sasaki wants to go to a team with a great developmental program for pitchers. Thirdly, while many initially suspected that the Dodgers were clear favorites to win him over, Jim Bowden of The Athletic mentioned several reasons why that probably won't happen, one of them being Sasaki not wanting to live in the shadow of Yamomoto and Ohtani.

Given these factors, the Mariners seem like they're in a pretty good spot. Seattle press isn't nearly as crtiical as the media in New York, Boston or any other large market, and everyone knows the organization has been great at developing exceptional pitching talent.

Regarding the piece about wanting to create his own legacy, he still cares about appealing to a Japanese fanbase and has expressed a desire to join Yu Darvish in San Diego, but Seattle may also fit this criterion. While no one on the current major-league roster is from Japan, the legacy of players like Ichiro Suzuki, Hisashi Iwakuma, Kazuhiro Sasaki, and Yusei Kikuchi on the Mariners is still strong today. So, in addition to having the most money to give, other qualitative factors seem to make the Mariners a great fit for Sasaki.

So let's assume Seattle manages to come out on top of the Sasaki sweepstakes: what then? Well, since all five rotation spots are currently occupied by talented arms, why not trade one of the younger, more affordable ones away to get a real offensive talent? After all, what team wouldn't want Bryan Woo, Bryce Miller, or Logan Gilbert? The Giants have already lost Blake Snell to free agency and have a bat that would fill a major gap in the lineup. The Phillies could be in a similar position, wanting a young controllable starter in exchange for a corner infielder.

Either way, the Mariners will have to focus their efforts on out-competing the 29 other front offices first. They might not be in on Juan Soto, Alex Bregman, or Corbin Burnes, but 2025's most exciting rookie could still have a chance to debut in Northwest Green.