Will the Mariners Make Trades?

We do know that Jerry Dipoto likes making trades. Will he do so in July to upgrade or unload certain players? Whatever he does I know likely will be to upgrade for the current season and the future.

Over the last six years the Mariners have looked like they were going to have a better second season under the manager however it hasn’t turned out that way. In the fourth year Jackie Z. was fired before Lloyd McClendon was. Dipoto had the chance to retain Lloyd but didn’t feel that they would well together.

This year so far things look about the same however the Mariners could still turn things around. Even if they don’t have as good a season as last year I don’t expect that the Mariners will let go of manager Scott Servais. He and Dipoto have a plan for the future so I am sure this wouldn’t occur.

The everyday lineup looks like it is pretty good shape so I am not sure anything will happen there. The only two players the Mariners could trade in the infield would be first baseman Danny Valencia who has had a good season after starting out slowly. The Mariners could get something for him although it likely would be projects. The other would be Kyle Seager who has been having a subpar season on the offense side of the ball. The Mariners would look at getting an experienced starting pitcher if they actually did trade Seager. The question would be the player taking over at third base. If Seager were traded and Valencia was not he likely would be the top choice to take over the spot. They could put Taylor Motter at third base as well however he doesn’t look like the guy long term although he did hit good when he played regularly in the lineup when Jean Segura was sidelined. Neither Segura who recently signed a five-year contract will be going anywhere or Robinson Cano.

Nelson Cruz could be on the trading block however could they get what they need for him. He has another year on his contract at a reasonable price however will a team think that he is getting old and may not produce at the same rate because of injuries although he has made the all-star team.

The most likely player to be traded is Jarrod Dyson however the Mariners may get a reliever instead of a starter. If they get a starter it would likely be a fourth starter.  The Mariners do have Haniger, Heredia and Gamel to take care of the outfield now with Boog Powell be the extra outfielder. Now that Tyler O’Neill is hitting well in Tacoma he could be the prospect another team may want making a trade with the Mariners. I am sure if that happens the Mariners may throw in D.J. Peterson a former first round pick in as well since he is having a good season at Tacoma.

Mike Zunino how he has been hitting since he returned from Tacoma in late May and has shown a lot of power would he be good trade bait for the Mariners to get a starting pitcher? I am sure if this does happen the Mariners will need to get a catcher in return in the deal as well. The problem is who that catcher would be unless someone has a prospect that might be ready to play in the major leagues. I am sure that Dipoto will do something however it will be interesting to see what happens. He is the guy who loves to surprise us. Go M’s.