3 Players the Mariners gave up on too soon

Pitcher Pablo Lopez
Pablo Lopez was an after thought for the Mariners when he was dealt to the Miami Marlins in exchange for David Phelps in 2017. He was a lower-end prospect in the Mariners farm system at the time, but he has developed into a solid starter. Lopez is currently with the Minnesota Twins after the Marlins traded him after the 2022 season. He currently posts a 1.35 ERA in three starts for the Twins this year and for his career has a 3.84 ERA in 97 career starts with 9.3 WAR. He is a simple case of the Mariners being too eager to win now as they let go of a young player too early. Lopez had an exceptional 2016 in Low-A Clinton for the M’s in 2016 with a 2.13 ERA and (7-1) record. However, he regressed in 2017 (5-8) with a 5.04 ERA in High-A Modesto. The Marlins acquired Pablo Lopez as a nice buy-low get acquiring him for David Phelps who only made 10 appearances as a reliever, finishing with a 3.12 ERA and (2-1) record. Phelps missed all of 2018, before signing with the Blue Jays in 2019. Pablo Lopez served as a cautionary tale for Jerry Dipoto, a lesson his critics should learn from when other deals do not materialize at the trade deadline.