2 trade proposals for the Mariners to make a blockbuster type move for Isaac Paredes

As the trade deadline approaches and teams continue to fight back and forth for their chance at a playoff berth, many have moved from sellers to now, contenders. Teams that have a lot of interesting trade chips like the Astros, Cubs, and Diamondbacks have gone on a hot stretch before the All-Star break and find themselves in a good position to add a key piece or two to make a playoff push.

While the number of playoff teams are crowded, a few teams have already signaled their willingness to sell and look to acquire more controllable, cheaper assets. Teams like the Marlins and Rays have already made moves for fairly valuable players and will likely remain very active throughout the rest of the month.

2 trade proposals for the Mariners to make a blockbuster type move for Isaac Paredes

One team that has been long rumored with the Mariners is the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays are a team that is never in a true sell mode, and never commits to going all-in and buying, thus making them one of the most interesting trade partners. They have signaled a slightly more aggressive sell-mode this year and they will likely be on connection with a number of teams as they have a few names that could be key pieces for teams looking to make a deep playoff run.

Tampa Bay is a very interesting team when it comes to trade packages. They identify players that they like and are very good at it. They value pitching just like every other franchise but look to maximize players' three-to-five-year window before they get expensive. This could lead to the Mariners inquiring about Isaac Paredes (who is a super-2 player and isn't expensive but is going to be expensive soon).

Paredes is one of the league's best third baseman over the last two years and his club control and age will make him arguably the most expensive bat that could be traded this summer. Paredes is only 25 years old and has established himself as one of the premier bats at a valuable position.

So far in 2024, Paredes has the third-highest wRC+ among all qualified third basemen while possessing elite-level walk (11.7%) rates and strikeout (17.1%) rates. Since the beginning of 2023, Paredes ranks third among all qualified third basemen (behind Jose Ramirez and Gunnar Henderson, though Henderson is now a shortstop). Acquiring Paredes will be the most expensive move that Dipoto could make in his tenure, but could be one that proves to be the final touch to an already solid roster, even if that talent is carried by the pitching staff.

In this first trade, the Rays demand a young starting pitcher from the Mariners, and rightfully so. Acquiring Paredes will not come cheap; dealing Miller will be a painful move. Miller has been one of the more exciting developments from Seattle's player development group. The hesitancy to deal Miller is understandable, but that's what it might take to get a guy like Paredes. The Mariners would also take on Zack Eflin to fill in the number five spot in the rotation while eating some (or maybe all) of his 2025 salary at $18M. The Mariners send Jorge Polanco to sort of even some of the money out. We all know the Rays interest in Tai Peete was real in the 2023 MLB Draft and they get their guy back as part of this trade.

This would hurt the Mariners, and they would have to eat some money taking on Zack Eflin and his $18 million a year, but it gives them a replacement option for Miller. Losing Peete hurts, but the farm is loaded, and parting with him shouldn't hold the Mariners back from making this deal.