Because the 2025 MLB commerce deadline looms this Thursday, July 31, the Seattle Mariners are ramping up their efforts to bolster their roster, significantly specializing in reinforcing their bullpen and including key offensive items. Sitting at 56-50 and clinging to the final wild card spot within the American League, the Mariners are decided to make a robust playoff push, and their entrance workplace is leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of impactful acquisitions.
One of the vital vital developments shaking up the commerce market includes Cleveland Guardians nearer Emmanuel Clase. On Monday, July 28, Clase was positioned on non-disciplinary paid depart amidst an ongoing Main League Baseball sports-betting investigation, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Clase, a three-time All-Star and a dominant presence within the American League, now joins teammate Luis Ortiz because the second Guardians pitcher sidelined because of the probe.
Clase’s depart is ready by way of August 31, the identical length as Ortiz’s, whose depart was prolonged in the course of the All-Star break. This flip of occasions has difficult the Mariners’ pursuit of high-end relievers. Clase, 27, was beforehand ranked No. 4 on The Athletic’s commerce large board and was thought-about a chief candidate for acquisition earlier than the information broke. With a stellar 1.88 ERA over six main league seasons and three consecutive years main the league in saves, Clase’s club-friendly contract operating by way of 2028 made him a super goal.
Seattle Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto confirmed the membership’s aggressive stance on buying ace relievers to strengthen their bullpen, which at the moment holds a 3.78 ERA however lacks dominant late-inning arms. Dipoto expressed enthusiasm on MLB Community Radio, stating, “That is one in every of our favourite instances of yr. Once we put ourselves in a great place, we’ve all the time been given the power to exit and do the enjoyable factor on the deadline.” He referenced previous profitable deadline strikes like buying Luis Castillo in 2022 and Randy Arozarena final yr, emphasizing that the bullpen stays a focus for this yr’s deadline maneuvers.
Whereas Clase’s sudden unavailability narrows the pool of elite relievers, the Mariners stay undeterred. The marketplace for high-end bullpen arms has develop into scarcer, doubtless driving up the asking costs for remaining candidates corresponding to Minnesota Twins right-handers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, and Pittsburgh Pirates nearer David Bednar. Duran, 27, boasts a 1.90 ERA and an electrical fastball, making $4.125 million this season with two arbitration years remaining. Jax, 30, is an elite setup man incomes $2.365 million, additionally with two arbitration years left. The Twins reportedly demand a number of prime prospects for both pitcher, reflecting their worth. In the meantime, Bednar, 30, has been dominant, not permitting a run since Might 23 and sporting a 2.19 ERA with a 34.5% strikeout price. He’s making $5.9 million this season and has yet another arbitration yr.
Further bullpen choices embody Pirates right-hander Dennis Santana, who carries a 1.42 ERA and is seen as a extra reasonably priced goal, together with a number of different relievers corresponding to Minnesota’s Danny Coulombe, Atlanta’s Pierce Johnson, St. Louis’s Phil Maton, and others. The Mariners’ deep farm system, that includes eight prospects ranked in Baseball America’s Prime 100 record, positions them properly to compete for these premium arms.
On the offensive entrance, the Mariners have already made a splash by buying slugging first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks final week. Naylor, a free agent this winter, was obtained in trade for 2 younger pitchers, Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi, neither of whom have been in Seattle’s prime ten prospects. The Mariners are additionally reportedly involved in reuniting with third baseman Eugenio Suarez, a formidable bat who hit 53 house runs for Seattle from 2022 to 2023. Nonetheless, the value to land Suarez is steep, with the Diamondbacks reportedly asking for a major-league prepared participant plus two prospects. This has prompted some groups to pivot away from him, with the New York Yankees securing Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies as an alternative.
In response to Adam Jude of The Seattle Instances, the Mariners are shifting their commerce deadline technique to prioritize bullpen assist with even higher urgency, regardless of nonetheless eager to convey again Suarez. Jude notes that the Mariners’ bullpen options sturdy performers like Andrés Muñoz, Matt Brash, and Gabe Speier on the again finish, however past them, there are query marks. Eduard Bazardo has been strong since early June, however sustainability is unsure, and pitchers like Trent Thornton, Casey Legumina, and Carlos Vargas have struggled at instances. The Mariners have additionally relied closely on left-hander Speier as their main southpaw, highlighting the necessity for extra left-handed reduction pitching.
Within the offensive realm, Seattle may additionally look so as to add flexibility and depth. One potential goal is Ryan O’Hearn of the Baltimore Orioles. Although this stays speculative, O’Hearn’s means to play first base, outfield, and designated hitter roles, mixed with a strong .282/.375/.450 slash line, 12 house runs, and 39 RBIs this season, makes him a gorgeous candidate for a Mariners lineup looking for a lift. At 32 years outdated and on an expiring contract, O’Hearn may present veteran presence and flexibility as Seattle pushes for the postseason.
With the commerce deadline set for 3 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET) on Thursday, the Mariners have solely days to finalize their offers. The entrance workplace’s willpower to enhance the bullpen whereas additionally enhancing offensive choices alerts a transparent intent to make a deep playoff run. As Dipoto put it, “We’re dialed on the bullpen, and that makes us like nearly everyone else who’s making an attempt to get to the end line. However the bullpen (pitchers) are, they’re the late movers. Someplace within the final day or two, after which possibly within the final hour or two, you’ll begin to see a number of the greater impression bullpen guys go off the board, and we will probably be as aggressive in that space of the market as nearly anyone.”
The Mariners’ mixture of a strong core, a deep prospect pool, and an aggressive entrance workplace method units the stage for a busy, high-stakes commerce deadline. Whereas the lack of Emmanuel Clase as a commerce candidate is a setback, Seattle’s entrance workplace stays optimistic about securing the bullpen reinforcements and lineup upgrades essential to solidify their playoff place. With the clock ticking, followers can anticipate a flurry of exercise because the Mariners push to construct a workforce able to making noise in October.
