Morosi makes case for Otto Lopez as Mariners trade deadline target

Monday’s MLB trade deadline is fast approaching, and there’s been a void of names that have been tied to the Seattle Mariners as trade targets.

There’s one name that should be, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, and that’s Miami Marlins All-Star shortstop Otto Lopez.

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Asked on Thursday’s edition of Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob whether the Mariners should be in on Lopez, Morosi responded, “1,000%”

Morosi said he had “checked in” just hours before and found out the Marlins are open to moving Lopez before the trade deadline.

“Price is high, but he’s available,” Morosi said.

Lopez appears to be exactly what the Mariners could use right now. Morosi described him as an “action guy,” which would be welcome for an M’s team that has seemed to lack energy during a rough July. Lopez is second in MLB with a .325 batting average, and just as important for Seattle is that he is a right-handed bat that is dominating lefty pitching (.388/.391/.563 slash line for a .954 OPS vs. southpaws in 2026), and he ranks near the top of the league in both baserunning and fielding run value.

“I’m a huge Otto Lopez fan,” Morosi said. “… He is a fantastic player who has done, I think, amazing things in Miami. And again, you talk about this Mariner team – wouldn’t it be amazing to have a bat in there that allows you to put the ball in play more often, catalyze the lineup?”

Morosi thinks that even with the Mariners entering Friday with a record that’s four games under .500, now is when they should be going big on a move for a game-changing player like Lopez. And it helps that he wouldn’t be a rental.

“I wouldn’t say this for every team, but the Mariners are in this very unique position where their window to win is now,” he said. “Some of the AL teams at least are down. So darn it, this is the moment. You’re not gonna have pitching this good – I realize they’ve wobbled a bit lately – but they’re not going to be this good forever. And if you can find a way to get Otto Lopez, the blessing with him is he’s not a free agent after the season is over so he can help you for next year.”

"Otto Lopez is tearing up the National League, I'd love to see him in a Mariners uniform."

MLB Network's Jon Morosi outlines why the Marlins SS is his top target for the #Mariners at the trade deadline on w/@WymanAndBob. pic.twitter.com/c9MrqAbD52

— Seattle Sports (@SeattleSports) July 31, 2026

With the 27-year-old Lopez under contract through 2027, it would give the Mariners some stability on the left side of the infield, where there are plenty of question marks for next year. Brendan Donovan came into this season as Seattle’s third baseman, but the super utility man has been injured most of the year and may be more of a fit for the outfield in the future. J.P. Crawford moved to third from shortstop last month, but he is on an expiring contract, and both he and rookie shortstop Colt Emerson have struggled at the plate this year.

“Do we really know what Donovan’s role is going to be on this team next year? Do we know where Emerson is going to play? Is there a chance J.P. Crawford comes back? There’s a lot of maybes,” Morosi said. “Otto Lopez, right now, he is tearing up the National League. I’d love to see him in a Mariner uniform.”

Hear the full Wyman and Bob conversation with MLB Network’s Jon Morosi in the podcast at this link or in the player below. Catch Wyman and Bob from 2-7 p.m. weekdays on Seattle Sports.

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