MLB Network has wild blockbuster Mariners-Cardinals-Phillies trade proposal

Every offseason is full of all kinds of wild trade proposals. Fans are conjuring up dream scenarios where they acquire elite talent for prospects or sell off their aging veterans for some of the game's best up-and-coming talent. Can the Seattle Mariners join in on the party?

Major sports outlets are putting together some blockbuster trade proposals in hopes of giving fans an idea of what their team may be looking to do.

The Mariners are certainly in the market for some offense and have plenty of prospect capital to deal from, with Bleacher Report tabbing the Mariners with the No. 1 farm system in baseball. With obvious needs at second base and third base, and a pretty uninspiring free agent market, Jerry Dipoto might have to make a bold trade to address those positions.

Thats exactly what MLB Network's Anthony Castrovince thinks when he put together a crazy three-team blockbuster trade that sent these fanbases into a frenzy.

A three-team Mariners' blockbuster involving Nolan Arenado and Alec Bohm

Right off the bat, this trade has a lot of moving parts. Nolan Arenado and his confusing contract (deferred money and Colorado still paying some money) make him a very difficult piece to move. To help offset some of that, the Phillies are able to reinforce their bullpen with one of the best closers in the game, Ryan Helsley.

The Mariners also send them some starting pitching depth in Emerson Hancock while the Cardinals kick in some cash to help offset Arenado's contract (though it's not clear the amount). This is a nice return for the Phillies (without considering the cost to acquire) as it gives them a legitimate high-leverage arm, and a veteran third baseman as they look to make another World Series appearance.

The Cardinals, in this scenario, get a very nice package here for offloading one of the best closers in the game and an All-Star (but aging) third baseman. Justin Crawford is a talented, tooled-up centerfield with elite (75-grade according to MLBPipeline) speed and above average defense. Crawford is probably a few years away from the big leagues, but that should fit the Cardinals' newly established competitive window nicely. Mick Abel is a polarizing pitching prospect with elite upside, but typical control issues for a young starting pitcher. His 6.46 ERA and 6.5 BB/9 in Triple-A last year prove that there is still a lot that needs to be done for the former first-round pick. Lazaro Montes, often dubbed "Baby Yordan," is one of the most interesting hitting prospects in the game. Montes and his 65-grade power have been climbing up prospect ranks as it seems like he has the makings of a truly special bat.

This trade, for the Mariners, is a bittersweet one. Bohm fits what this team needs so well. He is under club control through 2026 (though his $8.1 million arbitration estimate for 2025 might make it a tough financial obstacle) and fits this teams competitive window. Bohm slashed .280/.332/.448 with 15 home runs 97 RBI in 2024. His 14.2% K% would be a welcome addition to a Mariners lineup that is one of the worst in the strikeout department. His defense was vastly improved and his .301/.372/.534 and 144 wRC+ would fit so nicely into the middle of this lineup.

This trade is so complex and there would likely be some tweaking that needs done to push it across the finish line. It would be gut-wrenching to lose Montes before getting to see what type of production he could give this team. He might be the best pure hitting prospect the team has had in some time, but Dipoto needs to be bold and make some hard choices. While we wouldn't make this deal, as a Mariners fan, it is a very worthwhile conversation to have, and one that piques a lot of peoples' interest.