M's rationale: The M's need an answer for the next couple years at 1B... Diaz is a lefty killer with a .929 OPS in 123 AB's which makes him the perfect platoon partner with Raley. He's mildly inexpensive at $8 million a year. Since May 1 (he had a horrific April), Diaz is 4th in baseball among 1B's with a 135 wRC+. Lowe was again injured the start the year but since May 1 he's stayed healthy and is 4th in baseball among 2B's with a 128 wRC+. Lowe's got significant power for a 2B, health just always remains the concern. He's due to make $10.5 million a club option that the Rays can pick up and then trade. These are some risky high ceiling low floor trades the Mariners need. At their best, Diaz and Lowe are borderline AS level players... at their worst, welp... we've seen that in the Winker's and Polanco's of the world.
Ray's rationale: Typical Rays trade... get rid of older players making $$ and replace them with players with a lot of control. Locklear seems like a Tampa type player. This is honestly a solid 1 for 1 trade given Diaz's age and reduced production in '24. Arroyo gives them a 2B option who is getting close to MLB ready and will start the year in AA for them. Morales is icing on the cake... a decent pitching prospect added to a farm that has few arms.
Trade 2: Mariners trade OF Mitch Haniger, C Mitch Garver to the White Sox for OF Andrew Benintendi and $5 million cash.
M's rationale: I know, I know... it sounds INSANE. But hear me out. Benintendi got off to one of the worst starts in MLB history. He was worth -1.3 fWAR in the first 2 months of the season. Since 6/1? He's slashing .248/.329/.470/.799 with a 128 wRC+, 11% walk rate, and 19% K rate. He dropped a .952 OPS in August with 7 bombs. He's owed around $17 million a year over the next 3 seasons. Benetendi's $$ is a wash in '25 with Haniger's contract gone and the M's end up paying him $8 million a year in '25 and '26 in totality with all the cash swapped.
WSox rationale: They said they gotta shed payroll. The Sox take on Haniger and Garver's $30 million next season to be rid of Benintendi's $50ish million over the next 3 seasons, saving them $15ish million with the cash thrown in. The Sox are rid of all the bad money after one year in a season where they do not intend to compete.
Free Agent Signing: Mariners sign 3B Yoan Moncada to a 1-year $6 million deal.
Why? Moncada is a bounce-back candidate a lot like Tyler O'Neill. In 2019 and 2021 he was one of the better 3B's in baseball, but injuries have derailed a once promising career. Still just 29 years old, there's still a little meat left on this bone. When healthy, he's a top-10 defender at the position and has featured a solid bat. Beats Rojas and Urias.
Numbers since 6/1:
1. Victor Robles LF: .337/.404/.475/.879
2. Julio Rodriguez CF: .271/.334/.451/.785
3. Luke Raley 1B/OF: .235/.330/.498/.828
4. Randy Arozarena RF: .256/.377/.441/.818
5. Yandy Diaz 1B/DH: .310/.358/.469/.827
6. Cal Raleigh C: .214/.323/.422/.745
7. Brandon Lowe 2B: .254/.315/.495/.810
8. Yoan Moncada 3B: N/A... .950 OPS over 12 AAA games.
9. JP Crawford SS: .193/.309/.309/.618 (
) 4th OF: Andrew Benintendi .248/.329/.470/.799
Bench: Dylan Moore Util, Luis Rivas Util, Some catcher
1. Logan Gilbert
2. George Kirby
3. Luis Castillo
4. Bryce Miller
5. Bryan Woo
CL: Andres Munoz
HL: Matt Brash, Gregory Santos, Collin Snider
ML: Troy Taylor, JT Chargois, Austin Voth
LL: Couple of no names off the street
everytime.