With Marlins already selling, here are four players Mariners could target in a trade

Was it just luck that the Marlins made the postseason in 2023? They do not look like the same team in 2024 and they have already started their fire sale at the beginning of May, trading Luiz Arraez to the Padres. It is pretty early in the season to trade your best player away, and many are speculating that the Marlins will have a full fire sale. When your own General Manager doesn't believe you are a playoff team, then that means you are probably open for business.

Jumping out ahead of anyone else, like the Padres were able to do to get Arraez, could be the way to success for the Mariners. If they are able to get a deal done before the market is set, they could end up getting a player for a cheaper cost than they might be able to do come the end of July. Plus, you would get that player for all those extra games. If you can land an impact player that could swing an extra game or two for you in May+June+July, why not go for it?

The Mariners have made plenty of deals with the Marlins in the past. In 2017 they traded for David Phelps, in which they traded Pablo Lopez who currently is the Ace of the Minnesota Twins. They also traded for Dee Strange-Gordon in 2017. With the Marlins off to a horrible start and the news that they will be sellers, who could the Mariners target in a trade from the Miami Marlins?

Mariners Trade Target #1: RP Tanner Scott

Tanner Scott was one of the best lefty relievers in the MLB. Scott had 2.31 ERA, 0.99 WHIP,104 strikeouts. Scott also had 24 holds and 12 saves in 2023. Scott’s numbers haven’t been as good in 2024 but they are still respectable on a bad Marlins team. Scott has a 2.57 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, with 4 saves on the season.

It is still early and he isn’t getting that many opportunities with the Marlins. Scott will reach free agency in 2025 so it is pretty much a guarantee that Tanner Scott will be traded before the deadline. With Taylor Saucedo going down to a knee injury, and Matt Brash and Gregory Santos already on the IL, the Mariners could look to add Tanner Scott to their bullpen.

While the WHIP is a bit concerning, is there any reason not to think that the Mariners would get the best out of Tanner Scott while he is here? It could just be an early season blip with the walk issues, but he has walked six more hitters than he has allowed hits this season. If the Mariners can figure out his control, that's a massive weapon to add to the bullpen.

Mariners Trade Target #2: 2B/CF Jazz Chisholm Jr.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today the Marlins could look to trade Jazz Chisholm Jr. Jazz Chisholm has always been a fascinating player to me. He hasn't fully put it together as he has battled injury but he could be an upgrade if Luke Raley and Mitch Haniger don't get it going in the outfield. Canzone is still likely 3-4 weeks out from returning, and going after Chisholm could provide an immediate upgrade to a corner spot.

Jazz Chisholm isn't a free agent until 2027, so he still has two years and some change of control. So he will cost more in a trade than most of the players on this list. The question here is if you want to lock up another OF spot knowing that you have a couple of guys in the minors (Clase, Taylor, Marlowe, etc) who have gotten a taste of the bigs and are chomping at the bit for a chance to return.

In 2024 he has a slash line of .248/.329/.421, with 5 home runs, 20 RBI, and 8 stolen bases. He would be an awesome get but I am not sure the Mariners will want to pay the price to get him,

Mariners Trade Target #3: 1B/DH Josh Bell

Josh Bell could definitely be an option for the Mariners if Ty France continues to struggle. But the likelihood of Bell being a Mariner seems slim. He hasn't been that good this year but last year with a change of scenery from Cleveland to Miami it was a night and day difference for his season.

He went from a .701 OPS to an .818 OPS and hit as many home runs in 53 games with the Marlins as he did in 97 games with the Indians, which was 11 for a total of 22 home runs in 2023. He wouldn't cost much but not sure it's much of an upgrade unless he starts to hit.

It is only his age-32 season, and his BABIP has been awful, so things could definitely turn around. With an average exit velo of around 90 MPH, he is still making good contact with the ball, so this could be one of those low-cost, low-risk, higher ceiling type of moves that is always so tantalizing to Dipoto and Hollander.