Mariners trade Reds for All-Star sluggers Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suárez

The Mariners were quiet at the start of the renewed offseason, but they made a massive deal on Monday afternoon to acquire All-Star sluggers Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez from the Cincinnati Reds.

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The deal has Winker and Suárez coming to Seattle while right-handed pitcher Justin Dunn, outfielder Jake Fraley, left-handed pitching prospect Brandon Williamson and either cash or a player to be named later head to Cincinnati. The deal was officially announced by the Mariners shortly after news broke around 2 p.m. Monday.

Welcome to the PNW, Jesse and Eugenio!

We’ve acquired INF Eugenio Suárez and OF Jesse Winker from the Reds in exchange for RHP Justin Dunn, OF Jake Fraley, LHP Brandon Williamson and a PTBNL or cash considerations. #SeaUsRise

🔗 https://t.co/b3nsR9dc4m pic.twitter.com/T7boDG18mq

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 14, 2022

“We’re incredibly excited at the chance to acquire two All-Star caliber players,” Mariners general manager and president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said in a press release announcing the trade. “Jesse has been one of the premier offensive players in the league over the past two seasons, while Suárez brings a long track record as a power hitter. Our goal is to reach the postseason this year, and we feel that these additions give us the depth and impact in our lineup necessary to compete for one of those spots.”

Winker is a 28-year-old corner outfielder who made the National League All-Star team in 2021. He appeared in just 110 games due to injury last season but was stellar when healthy, slashing 305/.394/.556 with 24 home runs and 71 RBIs while playing most of his innings in left field for the Reds. Overall in his career, the 2012 first-round pick has played in 413 games and has a .288/.385/.504 slash line with 66 home runs and 190 RBIs. Winker is under club control through 2023.

🚨 JESSE WINKER FOR THREE 🚨@Reds take the lead! pic.twitter.com/6qKY6HTzil

— MLB (@MLB) June 6, 2021

Suárez is 30 years old and has spent of his career at third base while also playing some shortstop. He had a down year in 2021, slashing .198/.286/.428 in 145 games, but he still hit 31 home runs and drove in 79 runs. Suárez hit 49 home runs with 103 RBIs in 2019 and was an All-Star in 2018, hitting 34 home runs and driving in 104 runs. He is signed through 2024 with a club option for 2025.

Eugenio Suárez slugged 49 HR in 2019!

That is…
💥 a new career high
💥 the most ever by an NL 3B
💥 the most ever by a Venezuelan
💥 tied for the 2nd-highest total by a Red

Also…
💥 9 each vs. CHC & MIL
💥 25 hit on the road
💥 best month: 12 in July
💥 15 in 1st inning pic.twitter.com/qBZlZ6DfLf

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 30, 2019

Dunn was a first-round pick of the New York Mets in 2016, coming to Seattle along with Jarred Kelenic in the Robinson Canó deal after 2019. Dunn has struggled in the big leagues with command and injury, though, posting a career 6.00 walks per nine innings. He has a career 3.94 ERA but owns a career 5.61 FIP. Dunn was a starter for the Mariners in 2020 and at the start of 2021 before shoulder fatigue ended his season after just 11 starts.

Fraley came to Seattle in November 2018 a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, who drafted the young outfielder in the second round in 2016. Fraley has a career .196/.320/.369 slash line in 97 career games and has typically served as a fourth outfielder. He gained some notoriety in 2021 for his ability to draw walks as well as play strong defense.

Williamson is the top chip going over to the Reds as the 2019 second-round pick reached Double-A in 2021 and posted a 3.39 ERA with a 14.0 K/9 in 98 1/3 innings. Williamson is a top-100 prospect on Baseball America and was one of many top Mariners arms knocking on the MLB doorstep.

If the Mariners end up sending a player to be named later to the Reds instead of cash, it could be a significant prospect, according to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel.

Source: There’s also a player to be named going to the Reds and it’s a solid one. Sounds like it’ll be one of the Mariners top 20 prospects, so it’s likely a 40 FV on my forthcoming list; I have them with 15 players on that prospect tier. https://t.co/e1fs9FdTNy

— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) March 14, 2022

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