3 Mariners prospects who could be traded this offseason

All offseason we have heard about how the Mariners really need to improve their offense. We have heard they need to sign Ohtani, Bellinger, JD Martinez, etc. There will be constant rumors about the Mariners trading from their major league pitching depth and sending someone like Bryan Woo, Bryce Miller and maybe even Logan Gilbert. With the most playoff spots we have ever had, there are more teams pushing to contend versus being sellers, but should the Mariners target a team that is in a rebuild or not looking to contend right now, these are 3 prospects that I think could be on the move.

Mariners Potential Tradeable Prospect: Gabriel Gonzalez

The first prospect, and highest ranked prospect I have on here, is Gabriel Gonzalez. Gonzalez is 66th overall on MLB Pipeline and is regularly ranked in the top 3 or 4 with Cole Young, Harry Ford, and Colt Emerson, so why would the Mariners trade him? Well, they sure won't be trading Young or Emerson, and I highly doubt that they would move Ford right now, so Gonzalez is the next sort of logical fit. He has put up some really impressive numbers, so why would the Mariners trade him?

Let's get this straight, Gonzalez isn't going to be just an additional prospect included in a trade, he has the name and stardom to be the headliner in a package. I just don't think there is any shot the Mariners trade Ford, Young, or Emerson. Gonzalez has hit everywhere he's played and put up an impressive 2023 line with .298/.361/.476 slash line between Modesto and High-A Everett. He slugged 18 home runs and stole 10 bases. What is even more impressive is his ability to control the zone. Gonzalez doesn't walk a ton, but he rarely strikes out. In 2023 his K rate was 16.63% and his walk rate was 6.7%.

I could see Gonzalez being a headliner to a team that is in a rebuild or reset mode like the Mets, Milwaukee, Rockies, or maybe the Royals. Maybe he's part of a deal for Jeff McNeil, Maikel Garcia, or maybe Gonzalez along with a few other solid prospects could net them Devin Williams.

I don't predict that the Mariners will trade Gonzalez, he has the potential to be a 260-280 hitter with 20-30 home run potential, but if they explored it, he could net them a really solid major leaguer.

Mariners Potential Tradeable Prospect: Michael Arroyo

The Mariners have a plethora of infield prospects. They have Cole Young, Colt Emerson and top international free agent from last year Felnin Celesten. Perhaps the most overlooked infielder here is Michael Arroyo. In Arroyo's stateside debut in 2023, he slashed .255/.403/.400 with 3 home runs and 8 stolen bases. He is a real "CTZ" type of guy with a K rate of only 19% and a walk rate of 13.3%. Arroyo has a really advanced hit tool but has yet to tap into the potential, but again, this was only his first season stateside and he just turned 19. Some comparisons that I have seen online include Howie Kendrick and maybe a poor man's version of Michael Young.

I think the Mariners have shown they have an elite ability to develop talent. They have also shown that they aren't scared to trade top prospects when they identify a guy they really want like Luis Castillo. I could see Michael Arroyo being the main prospect in a solid everyday player. He won't net a perennial all-star by himself, but if he is the 2nd best prospect you are trading in a package, you are probably getting a 3–4-win player in all likelihood.