Seattle Mariners: Five trade assets they have to move if they go into a full rebuild
By Jason Evans
This may be a move they would have to wait until during the 2019 season to do it because of the amount of relievers that are on the free agent market, but Edwin Diaz is the kind of game changing reliever, clubs in the pennant race would trade an arm and a leg for.
If the Seattle Mariners are going to truly rebuild, it does not make sense for them to hang on to Diaz, even if he can’t reach free agency until 2023. You can find other players to close games out, or veterans looking to get their careers back on track.
Diaz had a remarkable year last season, leading the league with 57 saves, had an ERA under 2.00 and struck out 124 batters in 73.1 innings.
The New York Yankees dealt Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman a couple of years ago and got prospects to help them reload and push forward. If the Seattle Mariners put Diaz out on the trade block, they could get that kind of package, or even better because of the team control.
Whoever doesn’t get the free agent reliever they want, could pivot towards Diaz. Even though Heyman said Diaz is off the table, the Seattle Mariners have to listen on offers for him.