Mariners fans' fascination with Brewers INF Joey Ortiz is growing for good reason

There's a reason that not letting fans run the team is a long-running meme that bridges all sports. Yet even us cranks have good ideas every now and again, such as Seattle Mariners fans gravitating toward Milwaukee Brewers infielder Joey Ortiz as a trade target this winter.

For the sake of fixing MLB's worst defense, I wrote about Ortiz in September as one of three players the Mariners should have on their radar this winter. His name has since been pushed by Mariner Mojo and by Jage of Words from the Wharf, so great minds clearly think alike.

Ortiz isn't merely a "good" defender, or even a "great" one. The 28-year-old is arguably the best defensive infielder in baseball. He has 21 Outs Above Average as a shortstop across the last two seasons, third-best at the position. He also has 20 Outs Above Average as a third baseman since 2024, tied for third at the position even though he played zero innings there in 2025.

The Mariners finished at -58 Outs Above Average this year, and it is staggering how much of that damage was done on the left side of the infield. Shortstop and third base accounted for -36 Outs Above Average, over 60 percent of the total share.

What would a Joey Ortiz trade look like between the Mariners and Brewers?

As for why Milwaukee would trade Ortiz, well, these are the Brewers we're talking about.

Trading players when they're at their peak value is their whole thing, to a point where it's a point of admiration for other small-market teams. Ortiz is arguably at this point now, having spent two of the last three years as an elite defender with a solid enough bat.

More to the point, he's arbitration-eligible for the first time and projected by MLB Trade Rumors for $2.4 million salary. It isn't a lot of money, but a team like the Brewers might reason that they could get similar production from another player for less. Or even better production, if they're ready to turn to either Jesús Made or Luis Peña early next season. As it is, shortstop is already the domain of Cooper Pratt, who has seven years left on an eight-year contract.

If the idea in trading Ortiz for the Brewers is to save money and score long-term value, they would presumably only move him for a prospect or an established big leaguer who's still pre-arbitration-eligible. Either way, there are ways for them to line up with the Mariners.

A swap of Ortiz for Emerson Hancock could work. The Mariners could otherwise offer a prospect who would fill a gap in Milwaukee's farm system, such as catcher Luke Stevenson or even Michael Arroyo, whose potent right-handed bat makes up for concerns about his defensive viability.

High costs, indeed, but Ortiz is the safest insurance policy the Mariners can feasibly acquire this winter. Depending on what happens with Colt Emerson and Brendan Donovan, he would be meant to provide elite defense at either third base or shortstop. Even if he's not going to do much at the plate, a guy who can provide a 100-ish OPS+ is just fine at the bottom of a lineup so long as everyone else is doing their job.

Are you listening, Jerry Dipoto? Even if it's just this once, you really need to hear the fans' Joey Ortiz pitch.

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