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3 Mariners players that could be traded by Opening day

By Christopher O'Day |
Texas Rangers v Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers v Seattle Mariners / Steph Chambers/GettyImages
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It's an odd time of the offseason. Baseball doesn't seem like it's been gone that long, yet at the same time, the itch for baseball is coming back. The Mariners have made some moves already in the trade market, but I don't think they are done.

Whether it's smaller stuff or a blockbuster, I can't see the M's making it to the start of April without making at least one more move. Remember, they grabbed Suarez and Winker last year in the middle of March. That's still two months away. Could we see something like that happen again this year?

I think so.

Will it be an impact bat? A starting pitcher? Maybe sending out a vet for some prospects? Time will tell, but it does seem like something else is going to happen. You can tell me it's not, but 140 trades (at that time) beg to differ.

With players gearing up to head to Spring Training in February, it's time to take a look at three Mariners who might not be with the team anymore by the time the season starts.

Chicago White Sox v Seattle Mariners
Chicago White Sox v Seattle Mariners / Steph Chambers/GettyImages

#1: Chris Flexen

I feel bad for Flexen. After struggling with the Mets and heading to the KBO to reinvent himself, he's done nothing but pitch well since coming to the Mariners in 2021. He essentially made 52 straight starts before being relegated to the bullpen. It's not like he was struggling either, as you can see from looking at his stats as a starting pitcher with the team.

2021 - 179.2 IP, 3.61 ERA, 5.8 IP per start, 31 starts, 1.252 WHIP
2022 - 117 IP, 3.92 ERA, 5.6 IP per start, 21 starts, 1.368 WHIP
SP with Mariners - 296.2 IP, 3.73 ERA, 5.7 IP per start, 52 starts, 1.298 WHIP, 108 ERA+
Reliever - 16.2 IP, 1.62 ERA, 1.02 WHIP

Yet, he's been in trade rumors since last year's deadline, and it's surprising that he is still with the team. First, we thought he was going to Toronto for Teoscar Hernandez. Then, we thought he was going to Milwaukee for Kolten Wong. Chances are, Chris Flexen will get moved in a Spring Training deal and end up donning a different jersey before the start of the 2023 season.

Detroit Tigers v Seattle Mariners
Detroit Tigers v Seattle Mariners / Steph Chambers/GettyImages

#2: Marco Gonzales

Like with Flexen, I feel for Marco. At the start of 2021, he was the "Ace" of the Mariners rotation. It's not that he was actually an Ace, but he was the top pitcher on the team, the leader, and one of the vets for the squad. He was coming off of a dominant 2020 in which he posted career bests in ERA, FIP, innings per start, WHIP, BB/9, K/9, and actually led the league in both BB/9 and SO/W.

Since, his ERA has been decent still at 4.05, but it's the surrounding numbers that are more concerning. A 1.259 WHIP is good, but the 5.15 FIP shows that he has essentially been lucky. His BB/9 is up to 2.55 and he's given up 59 HR in 326.1 IP across 57 starts. Marco is less likely to be traded than Flexen, but with a handful of prospects close to the majors, the Mariners are going to have 4-5 guys fighting for one rotation spot, and Marco could be the odd man out.

It should be noted that his contract will make him a bit more unlikely to be traded as well. He makes $6.75M in 2023 and $12.25M in 2024. He then has a club option in 2025 for $15 million.

Division Series - Houston Astros v Seattle Mariners - Game Three
Division Series - Houston Astros v Seattle Mariners - Game Three / Steph Chambers/GettyImages

#3: Jarred Kelenic

I think the theme of this ended up being guys that I feel for. Jarred Kelenic was called up too early, and too many expectations were placed on him for a player that was so inexperienced. Still just 23, we should be talking about Jarred Kelenic making his debut in 2023 instead of people already calling him a bust.

Yet, here we are.

Now, I'm not one of those people. I think Jarred Kelenic is still going to be a really good player. However, the Mariners are run by Trader Jerry. Bryan Reynolds wants out of Pittsburgh, and the Mariners need a LHB, a corner outfielder, and another impact bat, plus a true leadoff hitter so we can get Julio into a run producing spot in the lineup (2 or 3 instead of leadoff).

Bryan Reynolds does all of those things.

If the Mariners acquire Reynolds, sending Kelenic off to Pittsburgh to get a reboot might be the best situation for everyone. Reynolds gets out, Kelenic restarts, and everyone is happy. Well, that's a lie. It's impossible for everyone to be happy, especially when you look at Mariners Twitter.

I want to see Kelenic succeed on the Mariners. I really do. However, if the Mariners can acquire an All-Star to fill the lineup and take over in left, I can handle watching him go. That's why Jarred Kelenic joins Chris Flexen and Marco Gonzales as players that might be moved before the start of the season for the Mariners.

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