Could Mets and Mariners become trade partners this offseason?

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With rumor season in full swing as the offseason plows along, it's always interesting to try and think about potential trade partners across the MLB. When we saw a post the other day from Rising Apple, it got us thinking of them as a possible trade partner. Could the Mets and Mariners work something out?

They were floating the idea of moving Jeff McNeil, knowing that they had prospects coming soon who could try and take over his spot. What would something like that look like? How big of an upgrade would the Mets be looking to make? Are we walking about then trying to go big and snag someone like Logan Gilbert? Do they want youth, and would try and get Miller or Woo? Or, would this be a vet acquisition?

Pending anything larger or crazier happening (you know, like if we tried to get a Polar Bear involved), I think that a deal starting with one of the Mariners young starting pitchers is going to require more than just Jeff McNeil. He is a good and proven hitter in the bigs, that's true. However, 2 of his last 3 years are below par for his career, he's going to be 32, and has 3/42 left plus a 15.75 club option for 2027. It's a lot of money, and while it would be worth it when he is playing well (even a potential bargain) it's a lot to commit to as someone enters their mid-30s.

McNeil has had some major seasons hitting. He led the National League and won the batting title in 2022 by hitting .326. He also hit .318 in 2019 and .311 in 2020. Adding something like that to the Mariners lineup (hopefully with a good FA addition as well) would make for a great lineup.

Let's start with a trade that they actually mention in their article, and see how we could go about getting there and making it happen.

Mariners acquire: Jeff McNeil
Mets acquire: Marco Gonzales, $3M, Kristian Cardozo

Marco is actually pretty underrated on the mound. Think about it this way. Over the five-year stetch from 2018-2022 he only missed 10 starts or so, and put up ERAs of 4.00, 3.99, 3.10, 3.96, and 4.13. Would you pay 2YR/$27.5M for that kind of pitching? He had 3 2.0+ WAR seasons in that time, and if wins go for about $8M, you're still getting a bit of value if Marco gives you around 4 WAR over the next two years.

He's also making 12.5M this season, and then has a $15M club option with no buyout for 2025. He does well, as I mention above, and it's worth keeping him around. If he struggles, then you can get rid of him, the McNeil contract is gone and in Seattle, and you still have one of your minor leaguers at second to take his place.

However, I don't think this can be a straight-up deal. Yes, the Mariners are taking on a lot of money with McNeil (more a lot of risk if he is a .260 hitter), but his floor and ceiling are still higher than Marco's even though they are the same age. I think the Mariners either need to pay a few million per season on Marco, or send over a lower-level prospect. Nothing huge, but one of those guys in the Kuhn/Cardozo/Sanchez level of prospect.

What if the Mets want a better pitcher though?

Mariners acquire: Jeff McNeil, Jett Williams
Mets acquire: Bryan Woo, Prelander Berroa

Hmmm. Who says no here? The Mariners would be giving up one of their young high-ceiling pitchers, as well as a potential bullpen stud in Berroa. Berroa has elite strikeout stuff, and even Kd 101 hitters in AA last season through 65 innings. He does have some walk issues, but that's the risk/reward there with him. He can K 14/9... but might walk 5/9.

We already talked a bit about McNeil, so let's focus on Jett Williams instead as the last piece of this deal.

Now, don't go off the rails and tell me "The Mets would never trade a recently drafted 1st round pick to the Mariners". Jarred Kelenic came over not that long ago, so there is a track record for something like that happening, especially if they are getting a long controllable pitcher that they can immeadiately put into the rotation, and a potential bullpen piece for 2024 as well.

Williams was the 14th pick in the 2022 draft, and is going to be 20 this season. He's got an above-average hit tool and a great run tool. He's also a good defender who can play center and SS. That's the kind of athlete you want to get in your system. They were challenging him in 2022 as well, putting him in AA for the last 6 games of the season after seeing about 40 games in High A.

Would the Mets make this deal? Possibly. They get 2 pieces for their pitching staff, and can replace McNeil with a young guy, putting Acuna or Mauricio there.

What about the Mariners? I think they would do this as well. Yeah, they lose a pitcher, but they get another MI option for down the line and an immediate answer at 2B.

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Mariners acquire: Jeff McNeilMets acquire: Marco Gonzales, $3M, Kristian Cardozo

Mariners acquire: Jeff McNeil
Mets acquire: Marco Gonzales, $3M, Kristian Cardozo