The Mariners Needed This Rebuild
The Mariners have been on the brink of the playoffs with this same team for far too long, so these trades were inevitable. Sure losing guys like Diaz, Segura, Paxton, and sure, Cano hurt, but at the same time the Mariners are gaining something incredibly valuable that they haven’t had in a very long time. Prospects. Jerry Dipoto has done a great job has done a great job so far this offseason rebuilding the farm system, so let’s start there.
Justus Sheffield has been ranked as high as seventh on the MLB Pipeline prospects list, as has J.P Crawford. Both of these guys are under control for five seasons for a much cheaper price than Segura or Paxton. Let’s start with the Paxton trade, he’s going to be 30 years old next season, and he’s never thrown more than 160 innings in a season, which he did this year. Paxton won’t be a free agent until he’s 32, and he’ll probably still want a big payday. Why not get rid of him now, and get back one of the best pitching prospects in the game? Not to mention someone who could be a solid back end of the rotation or a good middle relief arm in Erik Swanson, and a rising star in outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams, who recorded a 20/20 season during his first full campaign in 2018. For the Mariners’ sake, hopefully Sheffield is ready at some point during the 2019 season, because they could really use the arm. The Mariners are finally in full rebuild mode, and a starting rotation of an aging Felix Hernandez, Wade LeBlanc and Mike Leake isn’t exactly exciting. Hopefully the Mariners can find a way to get themselves in the hunt for Japanese pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, who could be a big time star in that bare bones rotation.
Moving from the rotation to the lineup, trading Segura seems like the right move to make, especially for a very high ceiling player in J.P Crawford. There have been tons of rumors circulating that Segura was a big problem in the Mariner clubhouse, and during his altercation with Dee Gordon, Gordon called Segura “the worst teammate I’ve ever had.” There were other rumors that Segura would complain to his teammates about not winning the All-Star Game MVP. A move had to be made, and while the Mariners also gave away two solid relievers in Juan Nicasio and James Pazos, they bought very low on Crawford. He’s been called a centerpiece player, and hopefully he can bounce back and show he’s healthy after dealing with injuries to his elbow and hand in 2018. Rumors have it they aren’t done dealing either, as they also got back Carlos Santana in this trade, but have been contacted by numerous teams and Santana will probably be moved again, and a team who’s trying to contend would probably willing to give up a decent prospect or two for a veteran bat like Santana.
Then comes the big move, Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano are traded to the New York Mets. Losing a piece like Diaz, the 2018 AL Reliever of the Year, hurts but at least the return was two top 100 prospects in Jared Kelenic and Justin Dunn. The positive side of trading Diaz, is that they’re doing it at the right time, because if they truly want to rebuild, Diaz probably won’t be seeing the field very much. One other move that seems to be in the cards from this trade is that Nelson Cruz might not be coming back, which would line up Jay Bruce to be the designated hitter in 2019. Shedding Cano’s contract will be good for the team, and can move Dee Gordon back to second base, while letting Mallex Smith, who is a solid player, roam center field.
Let’s also not forget about the trade for Smith, and getting rid of Mike Zunino, who has been disappointing at best during the majority of his time in Seattle. Grabbing Smith, and also acquiring minor leaguer Jake Fraley, who hit .350 during his first season in high A ball, are both solid pieces to have. Smith also hit close to .300 this season, and while the Mariners need to find a new catcher, which they could do through free agency, they’ll at least have a solid outfield.
Speaking of a solid outfield, Dipoto’s best move of the offseason so far has been holding on to Mitch Haniger. I’m sure he would garner a hefty return if the Mariners were to make him available, but they need a piece to build around, and Haniger is just the guy to do that with.
