Mariners Monday morning mailbag: Trades, the offense, and the All-Star break

Ty France, Cade, Clase, and a draft pick for next year for Ryan McMahon?

Talk about upgrading your infield, this mailbag question has the Seattle Mariners trading for two all-stars that we'll be watching on Tuesday night. Let's take a look at how realistic these trades are.

Ryan McMahon is one of the few bright spots in an otherwise horrific 33-63 season in Colorado. The Rox’s 3rd baseman has been a stud with the glove while having a major breakthrough as a hitter in his 7th season. McMahon has posted a 115 OPS+ and a 2.8 WAR in 94 games. With 21 doubles and 14 home runs, McMahon’s .797 OPS is 63 points higher than the best Mariner (Raleigh at .734).

McMahon being in the middle of one of the best contracts in all of baseball (6yr/$70) makes him unlikely to be traded, even if the Rockies are horrible. They're going to have to be blown away, and I just don't see it with this trade proposal.

While Ty France would be an upgrade over Elehuris Montero at 1st base, France is more likely to be replaced at season's end, than be a potential headliner in a trade for an all-star with three plus seasons of control.

Cade Marlowe has been a disappointment in the minors this year, or else he'd already been given a chance to help this putrid offense by now. Jonatan Clase is an intriguing prospect who has not been given enough of a runway to see if he can use his speed to impact a big league club, but he's still a top 10 prospect in most farms. Trading a draft pick is complicated and difficult, so it's hard to gauge that value in baseball.

If you're trading for McMahon, the Rockies are going to ask for Harry Ford or Cole Young. Are you comfortable trading one of them for a guy with McMahon's track record and the Coors Field elephant in the room? I'm not.

I'd offer the Rockies Clase, Tyler Locklear, and Jeter Martinez. That's 3 top 15 prospects without touching my premium prospects. I'm just not sure Colorado will take that deal right now.