The Seattle Mariners overcame a rough start to the season to become Wild Card contenders ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
It took 13 innings, but the Seattle Mariners beat the first place Boston Red Sox 6-5 Tuesday night to improve to 51-51. After winning the first two games of the three-game series, finishing off a sweep of the Red Sox Wednesday would put Seattle back above .500 for the first time since June 24. A win would also mark just the fourth day all season the Mariners have had a winning record.
Expected to compete for at least a Wild Card spot at the beginning of the season, Seattle’s postseason hopes took a huge hit after a 2-8 start. After the first 50 games of the season, the Mariners were eight games under .500, in last place in the American League West and 13 games back in the division standings. However, Seattle has charged back, pulling to within 2.5 games of the second Wild Card spot.
The turnaround occurred just in time. With the MLB trade deadline set for July 31, the Mariners are officially buyers. General manager Jerry Dipoto, who has made more trades than any executive in baseball since taking over in Seattle, sent four minor leaguers to the Miami Marlins earlier this month, acquiring David Phelps in an attempt to solidify the bullpen. He also swapped one of the club’s top prospects, power hitter Tyler O’Neill, to St. Louis for Cardinals lefty Marco Gonzalez.
And he probably isn’t done. Though the farm system is shallow, the Mariners have a relatively small window to win a World Series, and Dipoto is creative. He’s likely willing to part with any prospect, and because it’s a buyer’s market, and several big names are available, a blockbuster is possible.
With less than a week left to strike before the deadline, we explore five potential trades the Mariners should make.
5. Alex Avila and Justin Upton, Detroit Tigers
The Mariners have an opportunity to make a splash before the trade deadline, and adding a pair of bats to the lineup would make Seattle even more formidable at the plate.
Alex Avila has been the best offensive catcher in the American League this season. Avila has hit .280/.402/.488 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI in 73 games for the Tigers this season. Overall, Avila ranks fifth among catchers in Wins Above Replacement (2.1 fWAR), according to FanGraphs, and first in the AL.
Avila is not a great defensive catcher, but his performance at the plate this season would be an asset to any club. Plus, he can play first base. The Mariners, who rank 19th in the majors in fWAR (0.8) at catcher and 27th (-0.4) at first base this season, could use help at both positions – especially with a left-handed hitter –making Avila a terrific option.
Tigers outfielder Justin Upton would also help the Mariners upgrade. Seattle left fielders have combined to hit just 11 home runs this season, and have driven in 53 runs. Mariners right fielders have hit 13 combined long balls. Upton has 16 home runs in 92 games this season. The 29-year-old four-time All-Star is hitting .278/.367/.506 with 28 doubles and 61 RBI. Reliever Justin Wilson would also likely be of interest to the Mariners.
Avila will be a free agent at the end of the season, making him a rental. But Upton is signed through 2021. Though the deal he signed with the Tigers is worth $22.125 million annually, he will be just 33 when it expires.