3 teams the Mariners could trade with as they listen to offers on starting pitching

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Being semi-involved in the journalism/media world, you start to notice more at how headlines are formed and which ones are done for attention, and which ones are done solely to report information. You could see a "Mariners looking to trade away starting pitching" as the title, only to see that they are listening as offers come in, and haven't put anyone off limits. That's a misleading title, unless it's explicitly stated within the article.

All to often, it isn't and it's a title that grabs the attention and is drawn from interpretation rather than fact. Think what you want about Jim Bowden, but I do like the style at which he posted his latest tweet regarding the Seattle Mariners.

The #Mariners continue to listen to trade proposals for pitchers in their starting rotation since the return in this market would be inflated...then consider signing Blake Snell to upgrade the top of the rotation. #Rangers are still engaged in trying to have a reunion with Jordan…
— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) January 24, 2024

Nothing misleading. Just the fact that the Mariners are listening to trade proposals for their starting pitchers. Not that they are actively looking to do anything, just that they are keeping their ears open. Maybe it's expected, but it's a good thing to hear.

The part that is a bit hard to understand is the Snell section. Is he saying that if the Mariners trade one of them that they are going to sign Snell? Or just that it would be a next reasonable step to take? I know plenty of people here at Sodo Mojo want the Mariners to sign Snell, so it would definitely make them happy if it happened.

It did get me thinking. If the Mariners were to trade one of their starting pitchers, who would be the most interested or the most likely teams that a deal would happen with? It would likely be Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo, with an outside shot that they go bigger and move Logan Gilbert. Here are the 3 top candidates that I think would end up making a deal with the Mariners.

Trade Candidate #1: Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles have been looking for pitching help, and it sounds like they are still looking for a SP. It even recently came out that they were looking at Michael Lorenzen to fill a role in their rotation, showing the desperation and need that they have.

With a bevy of infield prospects and the top farm system in baseball, could this be a match? We talked a bit about trading for Coby Mayo possibly in that role. It would be risky for both sides, but he has an incredible arm if he can stay nimble enough to play third. With Henderson and Holliday there already, Mayo would have to be a 1B. Why not fix needs on both teams?

There is another aspect to this, and it's one that the Mariners are facing themselves. Do you make a risky move to try and push that window open sooner? It's what the Orioles would be doing, especially if they made a deal for Gilbert instead of Woo/Miller. Gilbert leaps to the top two of their rotation, battling Bradish for the lead role most likely.

Trade Candidate #2: Tampa Bay Rays

This is the one that people have been looking at, thinking about, and contemplating all offseason. For good reason too, as it just seems like a match that makes sense. Shoot, it does more than the Orioles one.

The Rays are looking to cut money, as evidenced by the Tyler Glasnow deal. They've always been under $100M, and reports had it that they've never been over $89. They could look to cut cap even further by trading away Arozarena, and he's been the name that Mariners fans really seem to want. Would trading Miller or Woo for Arozarena (and whatever from either side to have it make sense) be the route to take here?

The Rays get what they love, in a young and controllable starting pitcher that is already showing promise. Plug him into the rotation for the next 5 years or so, and you don't have to worry about paying him anything other than his arb numbers, and those are still a few years away from being impactful on that side of things.

The Mariners increase their payroll by a little bit, but get another massively impact bat to pair with Julio. JP, Julio, and Arozarena as your top three (in whatever order you want) would increase this team's ceiling a lot. Or you look at Paredes to play third, which would fit the needs of the Mariners more.

Trade Candidate #3: Boston Red Sox

Yup, every single team is from the AL East. Why? Because I think they all see an opening or potential to make a move and get to a WC spot. Is that worth trading from a position of surplus to meet a need? I think so, and it's why I think all these AL East teams would be interested in a move. They know that the teams in their own division need to do something, so they need to beat them to the punch.

This is another one that we have talked about in the past, although it may hold a little less opportunity now. Duran is still an option as an instant offensive upgrade, but the Mariners OF becomes crowded. Haniger/Raley/Duran, and then you have France/Garver at 1B/DH. Mayer would make more sense, but you have to wonder if he would make enough of an impact right away and be able to play 3B.

The Red Sox definitely need a starting pitcher. Would it be worth it for the Mariners to try and figure out the technicalities of where to put people in order to get a bat like Duran? Do you try and get Duran and Mayer for Gilbert? I see a move with them happening as less likely than it was a month ago before Haniger and Raley got here, but it's still worth it if Jerry can increase value.

There may be other teams out there, like the Cardinals, Rockies, or a surprise candidate. Jerry and Justin never sleep, so if they are listening expect them to be cooking up something fun.

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