4 Trade Destinations for Logan Gilbert if the star pitcher is made available

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As we hit our stride in the MLB off-season, things will only get busier as the MLB Winter Meetings are set to begin this weekend. There are many reports that the Mariners are very interested in star Japanese Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and are waiting to see how their quest to get him unravels. It could build one of the strongest starting rotations ever assembled with Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Yamamoto, Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, and Bryce Miller.

If the Mariners were to acquire someone like Yamamoto, it would certainly allow them to move a starting pitcher for a legit bat, most of us assuming they would trade Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo. What teams would be interested in Logan Gilbert? It's probably easier to answer which teams aren't, as most would be interested in a young, legit #2 starting pitcher.

Before we get into this, let me preface this by saying I am very against trading Logan Gilbert and the only scenario I would entertain it is if you signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Even then, I might lean more towards trading Miller or Woo. But what could the Mariners get back in a deal where they traded Logan Gilbert away? Let's take a look at 4 teams that could be aggressive and what the Mariners could target in a return.

Logan Gilbert Suitor #1: Tampa Bay Rays

The most obvious fit for Logan Gilbert is the Tampa Bay Rays. They have a serious need for a starting pitcher, they have the players to trade to make something happen, and not to mention, Logan Gilbert is from Florida.

Big news regarding the outfielder market: The Rays are shopping OF Randy Arozarena, and there’s a good chance that he is moved, sources tell @MLBNerds.
— Jack Azoulay-Haron (@AzoulayHaron) November 29, 2023

The Rays have a lot of interesting players like Josh Lowe, Isaac Paredes, Yandy Diaz, Harold Ramirez, Brandon Lowe, Luke Rayley and Randy Arozarena, who it seems like is pretty available this offseason. I think in most of the trade scenarios here, you could get at least 2 and maybe 3 of the previously mentioned guys. Maybe Yandy Diaz and Luke Raley or Arozarena, Brandon Lowe and Harold Ramirez or maybe a pitcher back to Seattle.

The Rays have a big need and a lot to offer the Mariners and I fully expect the Rays to be in on the Mariners pitching in some capacity.

Logan Gilbert Suitor #2: Detroit TIgers

The Detroit Tigers are a weird team. They seemed to be rebuilding when out of nowhere they gave Javier Baez and Eduardo Rodriguez some pretty big contracts. At the same time, they play in a division that is not very good, but not very bad, just pretty mid.

I have read reports that the Tigers would be interested in signing an established major league pitcher and they did to a certain extent, signing, Kenta Maeda to be a starter, giving them a decent back-of-the-rotation guy. They could still really use a solid front-end starter and they have some pretty interesting pieces, though I don't know if it would be enough for Gilbert.

The Tigers have some young offense that could be of interest to the Mariners. Guys like Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, Kerry Carpenter are young, club-controlled guys that could be of value to the Mariners. However, I think to get a deal done, it would take at least 2 of those guys and I don't see the Tigers willing to part with that much. I also think that the Mariners could get more proven, top-end talent than those 3. Because, while the upside is very real, none of those 3 have broken out and shown to be elite players.

Logan Gilbert Suitor #3: Cincinnati Reds

Another team that has some very interesting pieces is the Cincinnati Reds. I have touched on them trading for some of our pitching in the past. They could use a front-line starter to pair with Hunter Greene. The Reds have a lot of really young, interesting players with a plethora of infield and outfield options like Spencer Steer, TJ Frield. Matt Mclain, Noelvi Marte, Jonathan India, Jake Fraley, and Will Benson. They could look to capitalize on this depth for a young starting pitcher in the same way the Mariners are looking to capitalize on their starting pitching depth.

I think Miller or Woo is more realistic for the Reds, but I wouldn't put them out on the Logan Gilbert sweepstakes if the Mariners were to listen to offers. The Mariners could kill 2 birds with one stone here by getting Spencer Steer and TJ Friedl, giving them a third baseman and a corner outfielder. Or maybe they could pry Matt Mclain and Jake Fraley away giving them a middle infield of Mclain JP Crawford while moving the platoon of Rojas/Urias to third base.

No matter how you slice it, the Reds have a lot of interesting options and match up pretty well, I just don't think they will want to pay the freight for Gilbert.

Logan Gilbert Suitor #4: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks are a team that I think could be a dark horse here. Fresh off a World Series appearance, they could look the bolster their rotation. The Diamondbacks and Mariners don't match up all that well, but they do have some interesting players, they just aren't exactly proven yet.

The Diamondbacks have guys like Jordan Lawler, Geraldo Perdomo, and Alek Thomas. They also have major league talent, but I just don't see it being available to the Mariners. I really like Christian Walker, but he isn't enough by himself and creates a big hole in their lineup. I also really like former Mariner, Ketel Marte, but again, that creates a fairly big hole.

I think if something were to work out here for the Mariners it would have to be something like Jordan Lawler and Christian Walker for Gilbert and I just don't know if that would work for either side. I would entertain a deal around Christian Walker and Alek Thomas/Jake McCarthy for Miller or Woo, but even that I don't think is enough.

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