This list won’t just be a list of the best MLB players that could end up available this summer. We’re going to include several key factors while I rank each player 1 through 30, such as asset cost, player performance, player contract, player health and player availability.
There are going to be a few factors to consider that we don’t yet know. What will the injury situation be when the trade market begins to heat up in a month or so? Where will the Mariners record stand by then? Which bats will bounce back? We’ll keep those in mind as we take a stroll down this list. In addition, I’ll estimate cost for the first five players on this list and give an example of a mock trade to the best of my ability (player cost is tough). You’ll note I don’t include contract numbers for each player, but I do include years of control to give a clear picture of whether or not this is a long term piece or a rental.
Let’s have some fun!
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1B/OF Connor Joe - Pittsburgh Pirates - Free agent in 2028
Joe is slashing .293/.370/.520 with six home runs in his first 138 plate appearances this season. He is under control for 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027, but turns 32 in August. He can play either corner outfield spot or first base with average or just-below average defense. This is a prime candidate to help replace empty at bats from Ty France, and the Mitch’s (Garver, Haniger) if they continue to struggle. With enough power to be comfortable with his production at first base or DH, and enough OBP to stay in the lineup… anywhere on the field. Insert Joe now into the Mariners lineup and he’s the second most productive bat behind only Josh Rojas by wRC+.
Inserting a bat like Joe’s behind Julio and batting him third in the lineup could help protect the Mariners young star. Another note, he’s striking out just 18.1% of the time, and walking over 10%. This is the type of hitter the Mariners sorely need. What’s it going to cost?
Mariners receive: Connor Joe
Pirates receive: Jonatan Clase, Jeter Martinez, Troy Taylor
It’s looking like it’s just about time for the Pirates restart with their young core — again. This is a kickstart with a solid young outfielder prospect in Clase, and a couple of lottery ticket — one a starter, one a reliever — arms. If Joe is still this hot by the time the Pirates are ready to give up on the season, it is probably going to take an upgrade from Jeter Martinez or Troy Taylor, such as Aidan Smith or Ryan Bliss.
This could be the best bang for the Mariners buck. It is relatively cheap for relatively high impact.
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RHP Ryan Helsley - St. Louis Cardinals - Free agent in 2026
The Mariners bullpen is missing impact in the back end (throwing Trent Thornton in close games late is not ideal) and Ryan Helsley solves a looooot of problems. The guy is a stud. 10.35 K/9 while allowing just 0.90 BB/9 with a 1.35 ERA and 1.78 FIP in 20 IP. Electric. To add to the value, he isn’t a rental. Helsley would be a Mariners through the 2025 season as well and with Matt Brash and Gregory Santos having multiple setbacks and issues (Brash likely out until at least 2025), I wouldn’t blame the Mariners for peering into their 2025 bullpen and feeling a little uncomfortable. Helsley makes them feel much more comfortable.
Mariners receive: Ryan Helsley
Cardinals receive: Ryan Bliss, Aidan Smith
Ouch, I know. Two top 15 Mariners prospects for a bullpen arm? Yeah. But it is almost guaranteed you’ll be outbidding more than a few other teams, and this is what it will cost to lean into your strength in a cheap high impact bullpen arm with an extra year of control. You may even need to throw in a reliever like Jimmy Joyce to get the deal done.
But if i’m Seattle I do all of that in a heartbeat to obtain one of the best relievers in the game. Ryan Bliss is depth. Aidan Smith is a solid prospect, but far away.
OF/2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. - Miami Marlins - Free agent 2027
Seattle is likely looking for another young star running mate in the lineup for Julio Rodriguez. Jazz Chisholm brings value at the plate, defensively and on the base paths. he’s sitting at a 112 wRC+ through 178 plate appearances and has brough the strikeout rate down to 24% thus far in 2024 with already 8 stolen bases and a 9.6% walk rate. Oh, and he’s just 26 years old with 3 years (including 2024) left and is making just $2.6 million in 2024. This fits the Mariners timeline and budget.
There’s also the versatility here to consider. You can stick him in the outfield, but if Jorge Polanco continues to struggle all season and Luke Raley and Dom Canzone continue their hot starts, benching Polanco and sticking with Jazz at 2B is a possibility.
While Chisholm Jr. is no doubt likely available, the cost to bring in a young star is high. Here is my best guess at what that might look like.
Mariners receive: Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Marlins receive: Harry Ford, Jonny Farmelo, Walter Ford
Obviously Ford is the headliner here, with top 10 mariners prospect Farmelo and lottery ticket Walter Ford to push it over the top. I’m not sure if this makes the Marlins move him, but it probably gets you close if they’re motivated.
4. OF Brandon Nimmo - New York Mets - Free agent 2031
Yes, I know, the contract… but picture this. It’s July 15 and the Mets are looking to jump start their rebuild after realizing they aren’t going to contend (once again) in 2024. Nimmo is an aging outfielder with a long contract, and his value could go from good to zero within about 6-12 months depending on his performance. Could the Mariners get Steven Cohen to pay down the Nimmo contract in order to go get a top prospect or two? I see it, and I am manifesting it, because Nimmo is perfect for this roster right now.
Mariners receive: Brandon Nimmo (Mets pay 75% of his remaining deal, leaving the Mariners with $5 mil per year until 2030)
Mets receive: Harry Ford, Logan Evans, Ryan Bliss
Yep, that’s a lot. But an all-star level bat that is just 31 years old and plays plus defense in the outfield that only costs $5 million per year is going to cost a lot in trade. Throw Nimmo into the top of this lineup and really good things happen. Oh, and he strikes out less than 20% of the time. See the theme here?
OF Brent Rooker - Oakland Athletics - Free agent 2028
Theme, over.
Rooker strikes out a LOT. Over 30% of the time in fact. You’re like Casey, don’t the Mariners strike out enough? Sure do. But Rooker also gets on base. When he isn’t striking out, he’s walking 11.5% of the time and carrying a .385 OBP with it in his first 130 plate appearances. The power the Mariners lack is there with already 10 home runs in 2024. He is just 29 years old, cheap and controllable through 2027.
And yes, he seemingly loves Seattle & the Mariners, Bonus!
Mariners receive: Brent Rooker
A’s receive: Ryan Bliss, Tai Peete
One for now (Bliss), one for later (Peete) for Oakland. They’re rebuilding and until they’re settled into their new location — wherever that may be — or have a new owner — whenever that may be — the A’s will continue to be a bad baseball team despite the players’ best efforts. They should capitalize on the value Rooker could bring for them by bringing in a high ceiling player like Peete and a player that is sitting in AAA blocked.
OF Luis Robert Jr.
RHP Hunter Harvey
RHP Fernando Cruz
OF Taylor Ward
OF TJ Friedl
LHP Garrett Cleavinger
OF Bryan De La Cruz
3B/2B Ryan McMahon
OF Bryan Reynolds
3B Isaac Parades
OF Daulton Varsho
RHP Mason Miller
RHP Ryan Fernandez
1B Ryan O’Hearn
OF/SS/2B Amed Rosario
LHP Tanner Scott
1B/3B/DH Justin Turner
RHP Peter Lambert
SS Bo Bichette
1B Christian Walker
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
OF Michael Conforto
RHP Kevin Ginkel
RHP Jason Adam
1B Ryan Mountcastle
