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The Mariners should look to the Orioles as a potential trade partner this offseason

With constant rumors around these 2 teams last offseason and at the trade deadline, we could see these 2 teams link up. The Orioles have a need for pitching while the Orioles could help the Mariners address a couple of needs.

By Tanner Vogt |
Division Series - Texas Rangers v Baltimore Orioles - Game One
Division Series - Texas Rangers v Baltimore Orioles - Game One / Greg Fiume/GettyImages
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The Mariners will be active this offseason, and with a relatively weak free-agent market, it would be beneficial to be able to fill two of their holes in one move. There aren't too many deals where this makes sense for both sides, but I think the Orioles could match up well here. With their need for pitching and depth in the infield, this could line up well.

The Mariners need for offense is obvious. In theory, they have a spot in the outfield, an opening at DH, and could use someone to move around the infield as a plus bat to spell Geno or play the matchup with Josh Rojas. The Orioles really need some pitching as their leader, as far as starts and innings go, Kyle Gibson is a free agent this offseason. Kyle Bradish surprised this year and looks like a valuable bullpen piece, and along with top prospect Grayson Rodriguez it is the start of a solid rotation. Dealing from a position of depth to give their rotation a mid-rotation arm that could be a solid #2, could be a smart move for the Orioles.

Let's look at a couple of trade ideas that I came up with. With their rotation issues and Felix Bautista undergoing Tommy John surgery and likely to miss all of 2024, they could use some help in the bullpen as well.

Mariners Acquire Jordan Westburg and Anthony Santander for Bryce Miller and Gabe Speier

In this deal, the Mariners get an infielder who can rotate between 3rd base and 2nd base and could potentially play some shortstop in a pinch. He gives you the depth to move guys around, give some guys days off, play matchups, and gives you a long-term option at third base if Geno regresses again offensively, or you want to let Geno walk after this year.

Santander gives you a really solid switch-hitting bat to place in the middle of the lineup. He can play some corner outfield and could also play some first base if Ty France's struggles carry over. Coming off a .257/.325/.472 with a 119 wRC+ and a 2.6 fWAR, Santander probably slots into the 3-hole behind Julio and ahead of guys like Cal, Geno, and Ty France. He is a 1-year rental, so his value is limited, in a similar way Teoscar Hernandez's was last year when the Mariners acquired him.

Miller probably slots in as the Orioles #2 behind Bradish, assuming they don't resign Gibson. You have a lot of club control in Miller to pair with your young core of position players like Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser, Adley Rutschman and Heston Kjerstad. Speier was really good last year as a November waiver claim. With the injury to Bautista, he at least gives you another option with some control.

Mariners Acquire Gunnar Henderson for Logan Gilbert, Gabriel Gonzalez, Ryan Bliss, and Isaiah Campbell

Before we get into this, there is no way that the Orioles would trade Gunnar Henderson. He is a true generational talent and will receive MVP votes. He will most likely win rookie of the year in the AL. He is pre-arb right now making the major league minimum and is already a 4–5-win player. But for kicks and giggles, I included this one.

This would provide the Mariners with one of the best offensive infielders in baseball, taking over at 3rd base next year after Geno left. He would be a foundational building block and would form the best duo of players in baseball next to Julio.

In exchange, the Orioles would get an ace to put at the front of their rotation. Gilbert has been worth 3 wins the last 2 years and is still only 26. He is a Super 2 player with a few years of club control still remaining. The Orioles would also get Gabriel Gonzalez, a big bat who ranks #66 in the MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects. They also get a middle infielder in Ryan Bliss who is near major league ready with some real upside. Campbell gives them a solid bullpen arm under club control for a while.

Now if this deal had any steam, the Orioles would probably ask for Gilbert, Cole Young, and more. It might be worth it to some, and not to others. That's the price to pay for elite talent. This would be one of the biggest trades to happen in a while considering the club control and elite level of play from each of these teams' respective players.

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