The dream-big trade target for the Mariners

The challenges that this year’s MLB trade deadline will present the Seattle Mariners and other potential buyers are well documented at this point.

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A crowded playoff picture and a particularly mediocre American League have left many teams feeling they still have a chance for an October push, even those who find themselves multiple games below .500 with the All-Star break approaching.

And even more challenging for a team like the M’s, the market for right-handed bats is expected to be especially thin.

But there is one impactful right-handed hitter Seattle and others could go after between now and the Aug. 3 deadline: Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras.

Co-host of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast and Yahoo Sports writer Jordan Shusterman pointed to Contreras as a dream big trade target for the M’s when he joined Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy on Wednesday.

“You want to dream super big? You’re looking at someone like Willson Contreras, who’s been outstanding,” Shusterman said. “Now, that’s not a perfect fit. Obviously, he’s been an everyday first baseman and a good one. I don’t know if he would be in an everyday DH situation (with another team), let alone catcher or any other positions.

“But, if he is available, he is going to be the best hitter available that I can really see. I don’t think (Minnesota center fielder Byron) Buxton is going to be relevant. (Shortstop) CJ Abrams is kind of his own story with the Nationals. Guys (San Francisco infielder Luis) Arráez are interesting but not right-handed and have their own defensive limitations.”

A closer look at Willson Contreras

Contreras was named as an All-Star Game replacement for Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on Tuesday, his fourth career selection, and as a first-time participant in the Home Run Derby on Wednesday.

The 34 year old is in the midst of what’s shaping up to be his best big league season.

Contreras has a .285 batting average, .921 OPS, 20 homers, 16 doubles and two triples across 88 games. His 152 wRC+ was third among qualified AL batters, trailing only Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, New York’s Ben Rice and Tampa Bay’s Yandy Díaz. He’s also on pace to shatter his previous career high of 24 homers.

In addition to being an overall impactful hitter, Contreras has excelled against left-handed pitching, a big need for a Mariners squad that’s last in MLB in both batting average (.208) and OPS (.622) against lefties. Contreras is batting .289 with a .982 OPS and six homers in 99 plate appearances against southpaws.

Contreras would be more than just a rental for any team acquiring his services. He is under contract through the 2027 season with a $20 million club option for 2028 that includes a $7.5 million buyout, per Spotrac. He’s making $18 million this year and is due to make $17 million next year.

As Shusterman pointed out, how Contreras would potentially fit in the Mariners’ lineup would be complicated. He’s not a platoon bat and Seattle already has its everyday first baseman in Josh Naylor, who signed a five-year contract to return to the club during the offseason.

Contreras was a primary catcher the first nine of his 11 big league seasons, but it seems unlikely he’d be moved back to a role behind the plate. He hasn’t played there since moving to first base before the 2024 campaign. Plus, the M’s have 2025 AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh as their backstop.

Contreras also has some experience in left field with 35 games played at the position, but he hasn’t played there since 2021.

The clearest spot for Contreras on the M’s would be a role as the team’s everyday designated hitter, which could also complicate a potential trade. If Contreras has no desire to be moved off first base or out of the field in general, he has a no-trade clause in his contract through this season.

Hear the full conversation with Yahoo Sports’ Jordan Shusterman here or watch the video at the top of this story. Listen to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

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