Seattle Mariners Listed as Possible Trade Partner For Boston Red Sox OF
According to MLBTradeRumors, the Seattle Mariners have been identified as a possible trade partner for the Boston Red Sox with regards to Alex Verdugo.
First off, let's examine the facts here:
1) The Red Sox are coming off a last-place finish in the American League East. They have several needs, pitching chief among them. They do have a logjam of outfielders in Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Masataka Yoshida, Rob Refsnyder, Ceddanne Rafaela and Verdugo so moving one or two of them makes sense.
2) Verdugo is easily the most logical choice among that group given that he's going into his walk year. Unless the Red Sox are prepared to pay him between $85-100 million in the future, getting an asset back could be a good move.
3) As for the Mariners, they do make an awful lot of sense. A team that missed the playoffs by just 1.0 game this past season, they are close to contention. Acquiring an already established big leaguer could help them close the gap on the playoff field. They also need help on the offensive side of things, especially if/when Teoscar Hernandez bolts in free agency.
Of course, the M's could bypass the trade market and just sign Shohei Ohtani, which is what all fans want.
Per MLBTradeRumors on the M's fit for Verdugo:
After acquiring a one-year stopgap in right field last offseason when they landed Teoscar Hernandez in a trade with the Blue Jays, Seattle figures to once again be in need of corner outfield help this offseason. While Julio Rodriguez has locked down center field and Jarred Kelenic showed enough positive signs this year to warrant a regular role in left, the Mariners’ options beyond that duo are few and far between, with the likes of Cade Marlowe, Sam Haggerty and Taylor Trammell among their best choices. Verdugo, much like Hernandez this season, would provide the club with a quality regular who can lock down a corner spot and allow the Mariners to focus on other areas this offseason
The Mariners don't have many other areas of need. They already boast one of the best pitching staffs in baseball and should get stronger next year with Marco Gonzales and Robbie Ray returning from injury. They could use help in the bullpen around the edges, and at second base. But in general, offense is the need across the board.
4) The only issue with this plan is that the Red Sox likely see themselves as close to contending as well. Though they finished in last place, they are sure to think they can flip things around quickly. The Mariners don't have any pitchers, asides from Gonzales, that can be dealt in a straight 1:1 flip. The Mariners likely won't give up six years of team control of Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo for Verdugo, and the Red Sox likely won't want some minor leaguer who is far away from helping. Finding a fit could be tough.
Verdugo hit .264 this year with 13 homers and 54 RBI.
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