BRENT STECKER

Who are the 5 players Mariners reportedly would get from Mets for Robinson Canó, Edwin Díaz?

Nov 30, 2018, 2:18 PM | Updated: 3:03 pm

The Mariners may acquire 2018 No. 6 overall draft pick Jarred Kelenic from the Mets. (AP)...

The Mariners may acquire 2018 No. 6 overall draft pick Jarred Kelenic from the Mets. (AP)

(AP)

The Seattle Mariners’ rumored blockbuster seven-player trade with the Mets was reportedly still being worked out Friday afternoon, but the five players who would come back to Seattle for seven-time All-Star second baseman Robinson Canó and 2018 Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year winner Edwin Díaz are said to be set should the deal go through.

M’s offseason trades: Colomé to ChiSox | Paxton to NYY | Zunino to Rays

The headliners of Seattle’s potential haul for two of their most productive players are prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn, while veterans Jay Bruce and Anthony Swarzak and young reliever Gerson Bautista are also reported to be included in the transaction.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the players said to be packing their bags for Seattle.

Listen: M’s insider Shannon Drayer talks rumored Mets trade, Colomé deal

Jarred Kelenic, OF prospect

Selected No. 6 overall last June in the first round of the MLB Draft by the Mets, the 19-year-old Kelenic is Baseball America’s No. 4 prospect in the Mets system and is believed by some experts to have superstar potential. Swinging from the left side of the plate, Kelenic had a .286 batting average, .371 on-base percentage and .839 OPS in 56 games split between a pair of Mets Rookie-ball affiliates in 2018.

The Waukesha, Wisc., native actually finished high school early, similar to Bryce Harper, to better prepare himself for a career in professional baseball. He didn’t play high school baseball, either, instead committing himself to elite travel teams.

After drafting Kelenic, the Mets called him a “two-way” player who could star both at the plate (he has enough power to project as a corner outfielder in the majors) and defensively.

“We felt very comfortable selecting a player this high in the Draft who has tremendous makeup, passion for the game, intensity for the game,” Mets director of amateur scouting Marc Tramuta said of Kelenic, according to MLB.com. “That’s been his sole goal is to play in the big leagues and get drafted as high as possible.”

Justin Dunn, RHP prospect

Taken with the No. 19 selection in the first round of the 2016 draft out of Boston College by the Mets, Dunn reached Double-A for the first time in 2018, going 6-5 with a 4.22 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 105 strikeouts over 15 starts (89 2/3 innings) for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.

Baseball America’s fifth-ranked Mets prospect, Dunn by all accounts has strong stuff, reaching the mid-90s with his fastball and also featuring a slider, curveball and change-up. Converted from a reliever to a starter during his time at Boston College, he bounced back in 2018 after a rough 2017 at High-A St. Lucie.

Jay Bruce, veteran OF

Should the deal go through, Bruce would most likely be in the Mariners’ starting lineup on opening day 2019, but his inclusion in the trade would primarily be as a means for the Mets to make way for Canó’s salary more than anything else. The 31-year-old outfielder is a two-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner, but he’s also coming off the worst of his 11 major league seasons and is owed a base salary of $13 million for each of the next two years.

A star with the Cincinnati Reds who debuted in the MLB at 21, Bruce has nine 20-homer seasons under his belt, including five with 30 or more. He was productive in 2017 after coming to the Mets in a trade from Cleveland, hitting 29 home runs in 103 games, but struggled mightily in 2018, hitting just .223 with nine homers and a .680 OPS over 94 games. He was slowed by hip and back ailments and spent some time on the disabled list as a result in 2018.

Bruce is limited to the corners as an outfielder but has added first base to his repertoire in recent seasons, though he would probably see most of his time at designated hitter playing for an American League team.

Anthony Swarzak, veteran RHP

Swarzak carries a fairly hefty price tag for a 33-year-old middle reliever, as he is owed a base salary of $8 million in 2019, his final year under contract. Like Bruce, his 2018 season was one to forget, as he posted a 6.15 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 31 strikeouts and 14 walks over 29 appearances (26 1/3 innings), so he would be another case of the Mets shedding payroll to make Canó’s addition possible.

Originally a starter, Swarzak had success switching to the bullpen in 2013 and enjoyed his best season in 2017, posting a 2.33 ERA over 70 combined games with the White Sox and Brewers. He has had stints with six MLB teams since his debut in 2009: the Twins, Indians, Yankees, White Sox, Brewers and Mets.

Gerson Bautista, RHP prospect

The 23-year-old Bautista made his MLB debut last season, appearing in five games with the Mets spread out over four call-ups.

While Bautista can reach triple-digits with his fastball, he is still very much a work in progress. He gave up six earned runs over 4 1/3 innings with the Mets, and he had a 5.14 ERA combined between Double-A and Triple-A in 2018.

Drayer: With Díaz attached to Canó rumors, M’s closer to full rebuild

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
High 54° | Low 41°
Roof is open
Red Sox at Mariners today at 7:10pm

Brent Stecker

Seattle Mariners Julio Rodríguez...

Brent Stecker

Mariners Odds & Ends: MLB The Show ratings, uniform notes and more

A look at some Seattle Mariners notes that have nothing to do with the box scores, including video game ratings, new hats and promotions.

21 days ago

Seattle Mariners Cade Marlowe...

Brent Stecker

Which Mariners stood out in first week of spring training games?

We break down which Seattle Mariners players have provided the highlights after a week of spring training, with plenty of video along the way.

24 days ago

Seattle Mariners trade Polanco Jorge...

Brent Stecker

Mariners Trade Breakdown: Who is new 2B Jorge Polanco?

Do the Seattle Mariners finally have their answer at second base after their trade for one-time All-Star Jorge Polanco?

2 months ago

Seattle Mariners Mitch Garver...

Brent Stecker

What stands out as Mariners make Mitch Garver signing official

The Seattle Mariners have officially signed of Mitch Garver. We look at what was revealed in Thursday's announcement by the team.

3 months ago

UW Huskies Sugar Bowl Michael Penix Jr. Alamo Texas...

Brent Stecker

Here we go again: How are UW Huskies underdogs in Sugar Bowl?

Despite a higher ranking in several key ways, the No. 2 UW Huskies are the underdogs against No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl. We take a look a why.

4 months ago

Seattle Kraken...

Brent Stecker

Was Kraken’s Winter Classic jersey leaked by NBA team, wrestling company?

The Seattle Kraken Winter Classic uniforms have yet to be officially released, but an NBA team and wrestling company apparently leaked their sweaters this weekend.

4 months ago

Who are the 5 players Mariners reportedly would get from Mets for Robinson Canó, Edwin Díaz?