3 Colorado Rockies the Mariners should target at the trade deadline

C Elias Díaz - .279/.329/.395

Another catcher option could be the Rockies' first-string starter. After making his first all-star appearance in 2023, he's arguably having a better year in 2024. With a 101 OPS+, he's on pace to have the best offensive year since a partial year with the Pittsburgh Pirates back in 2018.

His quality of contact numbers are quite poor and despite having good bat speed, he rarely squares up the ball enough to hit it with real authority. Nonetheless, he's striking out at a respectable 17.8% clip and is still hitting for a relatively high average.

Where he really makes his money is his defense as he's in the top quartile for caught stealing, framing, and pop time. With Díaz taking over some reps at catcher, Cal Raleigh could be available to rest or DH more, both options that could boost his cumulative offensive output.

Díaz is on the final year of a three-year, $14.5 million contract and will become a free agent at the end of the year.