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Mariners target TJ Friedl and we look at a potential blockbuster

The Mariners have made a few trades with the Reds. Could they look to an older outfielder that really broke out in 2023? We also look at a pretty crazy trade that could address all of the Mariners needs in one trade.

By Tanner Vogt |
Minnesota Twins v Cincinnati Reds
Minnesota Twins v Cincinnati Reds / Emilee Chinn/Cincinnati Reds/GettyImages
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Today we are looking at another trade target for the Mariners. We return to the Reds after we previously looked at Spencer Steer as a trade target. This time we look to their outfield and a breakout 28-year-old who was underrated, and really good!

TJ Friedl is an older outfielder, being 28 years old, who signed with the Reds as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He immediately showed a mature approach and advanced quickly. Debuting in 2021 with a larger sample in 2022, there were a lot of things to like. He proved that by really breaking out in 2023, slashing, .279/.352/.467 with 18 home runs and 27 stolen bases. Those numbers were good for a 116 wRC+ and a 4.4 fWAR.

Friedl is under control through 2029 and won't be ARB-eligible until 2026. With that and his numbers from last year, he possesses a lot of value. His age does sort of hamper the value slightly, though I don't think it will make all that much of a difference. Let's take a look at a couple of trades that I came up with, obviously for one of the Mariners starting pitchers, as this probably starts with at least Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo and the packages can get pretty crazy as you will see!

Mariners acquire TJ Friedl for Bryce Miller/Bryan Woo and Cade Marlowe

TJ Friedl slots in as your starting left or right fielder, depending on where you want Kelenic (if you keep Kelenic). An outfield defense of Friedl, Julio, and Kelenic is arguably the best defensive outfield in baseball. Friedl can cover center field if you need to give Julio a day off but gives you an above-average corner outfielder.

Friedl would probably slot in behind Julio in the 3-hole, giving Julio some protection, while pushing guys like Cal, Geno, Ty etc. down further in the lineup. Friedl is an athletic player that can really make things happen, as evidence of his 22 doubles, 8 triples, 18 home runs and 27 stolen bases. Look at this inside the park/little league home run. He is just an exciting player to watch.

We have touched on it in previous articles, but the Reds would get an immediate number 2 starter to pair with Hunter Green and Andrew Abbot in either Miller or Woo. Marlowe is an older prospect who has produced at every level, similar to Friedl, he just hasn't had nearly the success. This gives the Reds another outfield option with some pretty high upside. If the Mariners add 2 or 3 bats this offseason, it makes the most sense to do so in the outfield. With that and the recent acquisition of Dominic Canzone, Marlowe could be the odd man out here.

Mariners acquire TJ Friedl, Spencer Steer, and Alexis Diaz for Logan Gilbert

Let's get this straight, the Mariners should not trade Gilbert unless they get an absolute haul! This could very well be it. This addresses pretty much every need the Mariners have. A legit outfield bat, a high upside bat, that can play 5 different positions on the field, and gives them another high leverage bullpen arm. All while, maintaining years of control. Friedl and Steer are both under control through 2029, while Diaz is under club control through 2028.

As the roster currently sits, Friedl is your starting right fielder and Steer is your starting DH. In some form your lineup could go, JP, Julio, Friedl, Steer, Cal, Geno, Kelenic, France, and Rojas. That is vastly improved from the lineup they trotted out last year with Dylan Moore, Sam Haggerty, and Jose Caballero. Trading Gilbert would really hurt, but it still gives you a rotation of Castillo, Kirby, Miller, Woo and the 5th spot is a spot that you might have to fill in free agency, if Hancock or Marco aren't ready.

This trade is a hard price to pay for the Reds, but given their depth in the outfield and infield, it could make some sense. They might be hesitant to part with this much, but getting an elite arm like Gilbert, who is under club control through 2028, is going to be very expensive. Gilbert was among the best pitchers in baseball this year and was probably the most consistent Mariner's starter. The homers bit him a little bit, but there is the potential to be one of the best #2's in baseball or the #1 on a lot of staffs in baseball.

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