7 non-rentals the Mariners could trade for at the deadline
Most Mariner fans know that Jerry Dipoto and the front office don't really like to trade for rentals. They would rather trade for players with control. Who are seven players the Mariners could target that aren't rentals?
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There is no way to sugarcoat it, the Mariners have been one of the worst offensive teams in baseball. Mitch Haniger, Jorge Polanco, and Mitch Garver, who were all acquired in the offseason, just haven't been what many had hoped they would be and the Mariners offense has struggled as a whole this season. They currently rank 26th in runs scored, 28th in average, and 27th in on-base percentage. Jerry Dipoto and Justin Hollander need to make a move or two to make this offense better.
The Mariners are in a special spot as they have one of the best rotations in baseball. When you have the starting rotation that could make a run at a World Series you make a big splash at the deadline. Let's look at seven non-rental players the Mariners could target before the trade deadline.
Mariners Trade Target #1: OF Jazz Chisholm Jr.
I talked about Jazz Chisholm Jr. in my Marlins trade target piece, he is someone that could bring some life to the Mariner's offense. Chisholm brings speed and a little bit of pop but he is also not a free agent until 2027 and would definitely cost a lot to get in a trade. Would it be worth it to give up the prospects for an exciting power/speed combo threat that could potentially solve the second base problem for the Mariners?
Mariners Trade Target #2: OF Lane Thomas
Lane Thomas recently came off the IL with a knee injury but has been pretty hot since being activated. In 8 games he has an OBP of .361 with 5 RBIs, 5 Runs, and 4 stolen bases. He is a much-needed right-handed bat for the Mariners. In 2023 Thomas had a slash line of .268/.315/.468 with 28 home runs, 86 RBI, 101 runs, and 20 stolen bases. All on a not-so-good Nationals team. Thomas is a free agent after the 2025 season. He will cost a fair amount but be cheaper than Chisholm, but would instantly upgrade the Mariners in Right Field.
Mariners Trade Target #3: 1B Vlad Guerrero Jr.
Vlad Guerrero Jr. is one of the bigger names on this list. Son of Hall of Famer Vlad Guerrero. Guerrero Jr. would be a massive upgrade to the Mariner's offense. He is a 3 time all star and is starting to heat up on an underwhelming Blue Jays team. This season Vlad Jr. has a slash line of .296/.389/.417, with 6 home runs ,27 RBI's, 27 runs. Vlad Jr. has been good enough for a 1.5 WAR and an OPS+ of 134 so far in 2024.
Vlad Jr. becomes a free agent after the 2025 season. Here is the problem: what do you do with Ty France? He has hit very well over the last month. Do they take turns playing first base and designated hitter? It is definitely a question the Mariners would have to answer if they were to acquire Vlad Guerrero Jr.
Mariners Trade Target #4: OF Luis Robert Jr.
This is my favorite target for the Mariners to go after. There have been reports that the White Sox are willing to move Robert. He is probably going to be one of the more expensive players to add on this list. He has the potential with club options to not be a free agent until 2028. Robert is currently 26 years old and got MVP votes in 2023. In 2023 Robert had a slash line of .264/.315/.542 with 38 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 90 runs.
The only knock on Robert is he strikes out a lot and doesn't walk that much. His 2023 season was good enough for a 3.1 WAR and a 129 OPS+. Robert would definitely fit the trade philosophy of not going out and getting rentals but he is going to cost a ton.
Mariners Trade Target #5: OF Kyle Tucker
Kyle Tucker is a pipe dream, he is currently in the running for AL MVP but for the Astros to trade him in division would probably cost the Mariners more than teams outside of the division. Tucker is a free agent after the 2025 season, He currently is at a 3.6 WAR and we are only two months into the season, that's insane! He could get traded but I just don't see the Astros sending him to the Mariners.
Mariners Trade Target #6: OF Brent Rooker
There were reports Brent Rooker and Esteury Ruiz were being punished by the Athletics for wearing bracelets that were from protestors that were against the Athletics moving to Las Vegas. If this report is true then it would make sense that Brent Rooker could be available and the Mariners definitely have the pieces that could get a deal done. Rooker isn't a free agent until 2028 and is having a fantastic season so far.
Rooker is probably going to be one of the only Athletics chosen for the All Star team. He has a slash line of .279/.368/.553, with 12 homeruns and 39 RBI's. He has a 1.6 WAR on the season and an insane OPS+ of 166. I see Rooker as more of a possibility than Kyle Tucker.
Mariners Trade Target #7: OF Randy Arozarena
The last non rental possibility that I see as a fit for the Mariners is Randy Arozarena. A lot of us here at Sodo Mojo thought the Mariners would make this move this off-season. Now that Arozarena has struggled to start the 2024 season he might be cheaper. He also isn't a free agent until after the 2026 season. I'm not even going to talk about his numbers on the year because they are bad. But if there is a discount for him the Mariners should be all over it.
Arozarena is currently a -.5 WAR player in 2024 but I expect him to get back to his more normal 3.36 WAR average over the past 3 seasons. I would hope that the Mariners are serious about contending for a World Series this year and make a deal for one of these guys before the deadline.