MLB Insider still predicts Mariners end up with star slugger before trade deadline

The 2024 trade deadline is so close to concluding and trades are starting to come through like crazy! Teams we thought were going to be sellers are making some of the biggest moves out there, while other teams seem to be re-tooling in hopes of making another playoff push next year. Luckily for the Mariners, a lot of those players have made their way to the National League and the ones that have remained in the American League are staying out of the American League West. Hopefully, the Astros get skunked at this year's deadline.

While I constantly refresh my phone as I sit here writing this article, hoping that the next notification I get is that the Mariners have made yet another blockbuster deal, that is exactly what MLB Insider, Anthony Castrovince thinks will happen.

In a recent article, "12 bold predictions for Tuesday's Trade Deadline", Castrovince says that Jerry Dipoto will make an offer to entice the Blue Jays that the team up North will be forced to make the deal.

They made the Arozarena deal without dealing catching prospect Harry Ford or any of their coveted middle-infield prospects (Cole Young, Colt Emerson and Felnin Celesten). They can swing a Guerrero deal.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is probably the best and most consistent bat available at this year's deadline. With the decision to move on from Ty France, the deal to acquire Randy Arozarena and the emergence of Victor Robles, the writing is on the wall for the Marines to go out and be aggressive for a first baseman, and there isn't a better one available than Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

We have talked quite a bit at Sodo Mojo about the chances of acquiring Guerrero Jr. and what that would do for this Mariners offense. (We even proposed a mock trade here). Fans are already seeing the impact that recent acquisition, Randy Arozarena, is having on this offense and adding another bat, equally as talented could really catapult this team into serious World Series contention. Reports are surfacing that Dipoto has been bugging Blue Jays GM, Ross Atkins, about prying away the 25-year-old slugger before Tuesday's deadline. Hopefully, Jerry is able to get it done so we can see the true potential of this offense and pitching staff together.