2 moves the Mariners need to make at the trade deadline

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After 80 games, it seems like there's a strong chance that the Mariners will be returning to the playoffs after their incredible 2022 run. With a 5.5-game lead over the second-place Astros and a 69.2% chance to win the division as per FanGraphs, this is the best regular season shape the team has been in for quite some time.

However, it isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Despite their impressive 45-36 record, the Mariners have just a +16 run differential, five fewer than the Astros and 12th in MLB. Not only is it 12th in MLB, it's a far cry from the Phillies (+121), Dodgers (+115), Orioles (+110), Yankees (+109), and Guardians (+105).

The offseason moves to acquire Jorge Polanco and Mitch Garver seemed exciting in theory but both players have yet to live up to their expectations. Polanco finally returned to competition after a month on the injured list but has just a .582 OPS over 185 plate appearances. Garver has fared slightly better but not by much, posting a .652 OPS over 259 plate appearances.

With a diminished Julio thus far in 2024, the Mariners also lack the superstar power that can be found in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and New York. So if they want to compete with the best of the best come October, what holes do they need to fill first and foremost?

#1 Mariners need: Contact Hitters

Yes, the Mariners need better offense, but it's not the whole slash line they need help with. In fact, the team's 261 walks place them seventh in the league and their 87 home runs place them 11th. If there's one area in which they really struggle, it's putting the ball in play. Seattle's team batting average of .221 is 29th in MLB and just .002 better than the last place White Sox. Furthermore, they lead baseball in strikeouts with a whopping 800.

We've seen three true outcome players like Kyle Schwarber and Brent Rooker find moderate success but it's hard for a three true outcome team to win consistently. It's a big reason why so much of the Mariners' success depends on the performance of their starting pitcher on any given day. Because high-average players are somewhat hard to find in the modern game, one might think that they would be off-limits in trade discussions.

On the contrary, they're often more valuable as trade pieces because of how much more valuable they become when surrounded by power hitters and sluggers who can create RBI with runners on base. Two-time batting champion Luis Arraez has been traded twice in the past two years despite his success at the plate.

Possible Names: 1B Yandy Diaz (TBR), 2B/OF Jazz Chisholm Jr. (MIA), SS Amed Rosario (TBR)

#2 Mariners need: Lights Out Relievers

Seattle's bullpen has been decent this year. Aside from Cleveland's reliever wizardry, the Mariners aren't too far behind the best. Their 3.71 ERA is 11th in MLB but that result is a little more lopsided than one might think. Andrés Muñoz has been incredible, posting a 1.42 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 11.9 SO/9 over 31.2 innings pitched. Austin Voth has appeared in late-inning non-save situations and has pitched to a 2.93 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over his 30.2 innings.

Outside of those two names, no one else in the bullpen has a WHIP below 1.00 and only Ryne Stanek has more than 10.0 SO/9. This isn't the end of the world, (you could always be the Angels bullpen) but in the high-pressure context of the postseason, more reliever arms can be the difference between a win or a loss, especially if the rotation slips up.

Seattle has done well to work with what they have but another strong, strikeout-oriented bullpen arm could be a huge addition for the team. With his 99 mph sinker and 91 mph slider, Gregory Santos could be that missing piece for the Mariners, but he's just now getting around to pitching at full force and has yet to start his rehab assignment. Even when he finally makes it off the IL, how much time will he need to pick up where he left off in 2023? Either way, it might not hurt to bolster the bullpen with another live arm.

Possible Names: RHP Colin Holderman (PIT), RHP Kirby Yates (TEX), RHP Ryan Walker (SFG)

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