Why the Miami Marlins Could Be a Huge Trade Partner For Seattle Mariners This Offseason

The Marlins need to add payroll, the M's need to shed it, so could there be a match here?

Seattle Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger (17) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on July 24. / Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

A couple of popular people in the Mariners Twittersphere made an interesting possible trade connection on Monday between the Mariners and Miami Marlins.

Kudos to Colby Patnode of "The Marine Layer" and @theJagePage for the idea, which involves the Marlins taking on some of the Mariners bad contract money.

First, let's examine what's at play here for the Marlins. The following comes from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:

Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement requires teams to carry a luxury-tax payroll more than one and a half times the amount they receive from local revenue sharing. A club in violation doesn’t automatically receive punishment but puts itself at greater risk of penalty if the union files a grievance.

The Marlins, like the A’s, are expected to be among the highest revenue-sharing recipients next year at roughly $70 million, if not more. Using that $70 million estimate, the Marlins’ luxury-tax payroll by the end of the season would need to be $105 million. Per FanGraphs, they currently are at $83 million. The A’s, following their additions of right-hander Luis Severino, lefty Jeffrey Springs and third baseman Gio Urshela, are at $90 million.

Latest notes:

*Carlos Santana’s wild week

*Explaining Guardians’ moves

*Marlins flirting with CBA trouble

*Patrick Sandoval’s “record” deal

*Rangers reworking bullpen

*Bregman/Arenadohttps://t.co/gsn98U60Jy

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 23, 2024

So, the Marlins need to add payroll to avoid grief from the player's union. Can the Marlins add enough players at this point in free agency to get to that $22 million or so they are shy? It's possible, but doubtful, considering that expensive players probably aren't willingly signing up to go to a team that finished 62-100 last year.

Enter the Mariners, who apparently need to shed money in order make things happen this offseason. Could the M's trade Mitch Haniger and his $17 million to Miami? How about Mitch Garver and his $12 million? Would Seattle need to attach a prospect to get Miami to take the money or not since the Marlins actually need the payroll?

The Mariners are running out of ways to make meaningful upgrades to this roster, but this Marlins idea just might be the best way to open up the wallet.

I’ll be honest - after reading about the Marlins needing to add roughly $22m to their payroll to get to the local revenue sharing threshold - it makes a lot of sense.

MIA isn’t getting there by signing players, so bad contracts might be the only way. https://t.co/4jKry0LgDh

— Jage (@thejagepage) December 23, 2024

Follow Seattle Mariners on SI on social media

Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on "X" @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the "Refuse to Lose" podcast by clicking HERE.