Potential Trade Options: Outfielders
With no shortage of productive outfielders available across the league, the Mariners will be able to take their pick at whether they want a star or nothing more than a solid everyday player. Here’s three options that would likely improve the roster immediately.
Carlos Gonzalez
While Carlos Gonzalez’s name has been on the trade deadline for the past few seasons, this may finally be the season the Colorado Rockies pull the trigger and the trade the slugging 30-year-old.
This season, CarGo has built off his resurgent 2015 campaign to bring his slash line to .303/.351/.547, which is much more in line with his career norms than his numbers from two seasons ago. Gonzalez also has 14 home runs, and while his power benefits from the hitter-friendly Coors Field, he’s proven to be one of the game’s elite power hitters over the past several years.
Slotting Gonzalez into the middle of the order gives the Mariners yet another power threat alongside Cano, Cruz and Seager and gives the team a legitimate second superstar. With his high OBP, Gonzalez could also slot into the two hole, which would still give him plenty of opportunities to drive in runs.
Despite his relatively shaky defense, Gonzalez’s offense would make up for any miscues in right field.
A large salary for the next two seasons is another reason for the Rockies to move on, but the Mariners would be able to take on the money. Acquiring Gonzalez would take a huge package, but the Mariners have enough pitching depth once Hernandez returns to get a deal done.
However, if the Rockies aren’t quite impressed with the Mariners’ prospect package, Seattle could almost assuredly acquire the resurgent Jay Bruce from the Cincinnati Reds. After nearly being traded in the offseason, the Reds decided to hold onto Bruce – and that decision has proved to be brilliant.
Bruce is hitting .276 with a .911 OPS and 14 home runs – and after two consecutive down seasons, the 29-year-old finally looks to be back to his dominant ways. With his strikeout percentage down two points to 20.4 percent this season, Bruce has looked more confident and patient at the plate.
The Mariners could slot Bruce into the middle of the order and get an immediate boost over Smith and Gutierrez. While he’s struggling in the outfield with a -15.2 defensive WAR, the rest of the M’s athletic outfielders could make up for any issues.
Bruce isn’t a flashy name like he once was, but would quickly complement the current stars in the Seattle lineup. With an option year left on his contract, Seattle would also get a year to decide if they’d like to re-sign him, too.
While Rusney Castillo has seen a quick fall from grace, he could benefit from a change of scenery. It’s hard to imagine the Mariners taking on his full salary, so some negotiating with the Boston Red Sox would need to take place – but this acquisition could be a sneaky good pickup for Seattle.
With a combination of speed and defensive prowess, Castillo could play anywhere in the outfield for the Mariners. Despite his struggles with the bat, playing under less pressure in the northwest would benefit the soon to be 29-year-old.
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