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Ranking 6 potential Seattle Mariners 1st baseman trade targets at the deadline
The Mariners will have plenty of options to fill their new first base hole after waiving Ty France, and here are the top 6 ranked targets at the position
On the heels of a series loss against the division rival, Houston Astros, the Mariners continue to look for answers offensively. They put together a putrid eight runs in just three games (yet six of them were in the series finale) and they continue to show that the priority at the deadline remains on the offensive side of the ball.
As big-time players like JP Crawford, Julio Rodriguez, Mitch Garver, and Jorge Polanco continue to struggle, it continues to emphasize the need to make a move for a true, middle of the order bat. At the time of this article, the Mariners are currently tied with the Astros for the AL West lead, putting the Mariners on the outside looking in at a playoff spot.
if this team is serious about making a legitimate playoff run this year, they need to keep all options open while being extremely aggressive at the trade deadline. These two should go hand in hand this year as the Mariners should be very creative and aggressive as they look to aid the few producers in the Mariners lineup as they look to push toward the 2024 playoffs.
With the recent decision to designate Ty France and give way to a more inexperienced crop of players that could include Tyler Locklear and Jason Vosler, those two should be considered temporary solutions. First base will be the easiest position to add significant offense and today we are going to look at the top six options Dipoto and Hollander have to fill their new first base hole.
2 White Sox options could solve the Mariners 1B issue
Where the Mariners and Rays make a lot of sense as both corner infield options could fill huge needs for the Mariners, the Chicago White Sox have quite a few players that they will surely be looking to deal at this year's deadline.
While guys like Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert will surely dominate the trade deadline rumors, names like Andrew Vaugh and Gavin Sheets will likely fall under the radar as solid bats that could provide a spark in the middle of a struggling lineup.
#6: Gavin Sheets
Gavin Sheets might be one of the lesser-known names at this year's trade deadline. The 28-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder feels like the typical move for the Seattle Mariners; an under the radar move on an older bat that is breaking out. The former second-round pick has become one of the White Sox's best hitters and has shown that he could be a valuable option for a contending team.
The corner outfielder and first baseman has been about average in terms of production with just seven home runs. His slash line won't wow you at .225/.316/.375 but his strikeout rates (20.1%) and walk rates (8.9%) remain above league average. The former Wake Forest product shouldn't be overly expensive, leaving the Mariners with yet another cheap and affordable player to acquire at this year's trade deadline.
#5: Andrew Vaughn
Andrew Vaughn is a former top overall pick (#3 overall to the White Sox in 2019) and with that carries a lot of prospect pedigree. Vaughn has produced at every level and has yet to crack the Major League level for an extended period of time. So why should the Mariners take a look at a struggling top prospect when they already have a top prospect that has dominated at the high minor league level? Well, Vaughn wasn't given a ton of time to adjust in the minor leagues and has shown that he is very close to being that true, middle-of-the-order bat the Mariners desperately need.
Vaughn shouldn't be overly expensive as the White Sox will likely look to move off the former #3 overall pick in hopes of striking gold with another top prospect and the Mariners could potentially capitalize on this opportunity.
Vaugh shouldn't be overly expensive, and the cost of Vaughn only having a couple of years while struggling should kill the Mariners. The Mariners shouldn't have to pay a lot but after the recent DFA of Ty France and the promotion of Tyler Locklear, Andrew Vaughn could provide a really solid backup option for first base.
The fairly inexpensive option that could prove to be a valuable addition
#4: Yandy Diaz
Yandy Diaz is a name that was tossed around quite a bit this offseason as the ideal fit for a Seattle Mariners first baseman. The Rays slugger is an on-base machine and someone that produces a ton of extra base hits and could be someone that the Rays look to sell off as the contract starts to get expensive.
Diaz has always seemed like the perfect Seattle Mariners, as the right-handed hitting first baseman is a career .288/.374/.432 with elite level walk and strikeout rates (11.5% walk rate and 14.9% strikeout rate). Diaz is a career 129 wRC+ and is probably the dream level of what Mariners fans hoped Ty France would become. Diaz isn't going to go out and hit 30+ home runs but he will hit for a high average, while seriously limiting the strikeouts.
I really like Diaz's fit for this team and given the fact that he is under control through 2026 might make him expensive. A tough start to 2024 could reduce his acquisition cost and make this one of the better deals Dipoto could make this year. If Dipoto could swing this deal at a relatively cheap cost, this could prove to be one of the best deals at this year's trade deadline.
These 2 sluggers could fill the first 1B issue in the short term
#3: Pete Alonso
Alonso might be the biggest name that gets dealt at this year's trade deadline. The 29-year-old slugger is on an expiring contract and the Mets aren't likely to make a playoff push. Alonso's bat should be a hot commodity.
Alonso is slashing .239/.318/.448 with 19 home runs which contributes to a solid 118 wRC+. For being a slugger, his career 22.1% strikeout rate is above average and would fit nicely into this Mariners lineup that lacks power and strikes out at an extreme rate.
All of that being said, Alonso should not be on the Mariners' radar. The first baseman is a rental and though the prospect cost should be minimal, they aren't a team that focuses on high-profile rentals. Pair that with the fact that there is absolutely zero chance Alonso resigns with the Mariners and Dipoto should explore other options.
#2: Christian Walker
Where Alonso is the most widely known name on this list, Christian Walker is far and away the most underrated. Walker is a key piece in the middle of the Diamondbacks lineup and has a legitimate claim as the best first baseman in the game (despite a crazy All-Star snub).
Like Alonso, Walker is a rental, but unlike Alonso, I think there is actually a shot that the Mariners would resign him. He is 33 years old and though he might require a higher dollar amount, the length shouldn't hinder the Mariners.
Walker is slashing .259/.342/.484 with 22 home runs and solid rates (25.2% K rate and 10.4% walk rate). His 129 wRC+ ranks fifth in all of baseball and he is tied with Bryce Harper and Josh Naylor with 22 home runs. Not to mention, Walker is a Gold Glove level defender.
Walker would be one of the biggest bats this Mariners team could acquire and even though it's a short-term solution, there is a lot better chance they can keep him long-term than someone like Alonso.
The answer lies just north of the border
#1: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vlad has been the subject of a lot of rumors this year as the Blue Jays have really struggled to compete in a very tough AL East. Toronto has a lot of money tied up in their pitching and might look to sort of reset until a few of their higher dollar contracts come off the books, and the Mariners should be more than happy to facilitate that.
Guerrero is one of the better first basemen in the league and fits the needs of this team to a tee, Vlad is slashing .292/.362/.473 with 16 home runs and just a 16.1% strike-out rate. His 138 wRC+ is elite and he would instantly be the best Mariners hitter. He isn't a great defender but who really cares at this point? He would add a huge jolt to your lineup and hopefully help kickstart guys like Julio, JP, and Cal.
Acquiring Vlad would likely cost a couple of top prospects, maybe even giving Toronto a long-term solution at first base, Tyler Locklear. Guerrero is under contract through 2025, giving the Mariners two seasons to make a playoff push, which justifies that prospect cost. The Mariners could look to acquire 1.5 years of Vlad in a similar way that they did with Luis Castillo (maybe they could even extend him as well).
Vlad is a true game changer and has shown that is truly one of the best bats in the game. With the recent decision to designate Ty France for assignment, this trade could be closer to the finish line than we think.
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