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Mariners Rumors: Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton Among Targets

By Hayden Kane

Sep 17, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) hits balls to infielders during batting practice before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) hits balls to infielders during batting practice before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seattle Mariners are reportedly getting aggressive in their search for a right-handed bat for the middle of their lineup, looking at potential trades for players like Justin Upton, Yoenis Cespedes, and others.

Right-handed power can be hard to find in Major League Baseball. You have to pay big to acquire it, and it looks like the Seattle Mariners are willing to do just that this off-season.

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Whether in a trade or in free agency, teams will have to pay a premium to land elite power from the right side of the plate. Given how close Seattle was to reaching the playoffs last year and the promise that 2015 appears to hold, they are ready to pay up to lengthen their lineup and get some protection for Robinson Cano.

Having already expressed interest in Nelson Cruz and Matt Kemp, the Mariners are rumored to also have their eyes on potential trades for Justin Upton, Yoenis Cespedes, and Evan Gattis. That’s according to Jon Heyman of CBS:

"The Seattle Mariners, determined to add a right-handed cleanup hitter to bat behind Robinson Cano, are talking about at least five possibilities — Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, Matt Kemp, Nelson Cruz and Yoenis Cespedes — and are seemingly determined to land one of those five.It isn’t known how the Mariners prioritize the five, but they have some history with at least three of them: they almost had a deal for Upton two years ago, their baseball people badly wanted Cruz last winter before ownership nixed that pursuit and they have shown interest in Cespedes in the past."

That’s four trade targets and one free agent, Cruz, who would cost the team draft pick compensation. There’s lots of talent to be given up and/or money to be paid, but considering the intrigue around the Mariners, it sounds likely they will make a splash to add more thump to their lineup this winter.

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