Salk: Dreaming big on 3 Seattle Mariners trade targets

Jul 7, 2025, 11:16 PM | Updated: 11:30 pm

Host, Brock & Salk (6-10 a.m.)

With 24 days to go before the 2025 MLB trade deadline, the Seattle Mariners have made it clear that they are among the teams that should be looking to add.

They currently hold a wild card spot by a slim but legitimate two games. In the AL West, they are chasing a Houston team that has been red hot but has suffered so many injuries that it’s fair to wonder if it’s due to come crashing back to earth.

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The Mariners also have clearly defined needs. Consistent offense at first base is the most obvious, but that could also come from third base, second base or right field. Another leverage arm in the pen wouldn’t hurt, either.

The problem, as you probably are aware, is that there aren’t many clear sellers, and the ones who are in that category don’t have much to offer. We have to wait and see what happens with the Red Sox, Diamondbacks, Braves, Orioles and others over the next three weeks before we truly understand the market. But part of the fun of the trade deadline is dreaming of and debating names. And while most of the moves ultimately tend to involve lesser-known relievers, swing starters, and average veteran hitters on expiring contracts, let’s spend some time dreaming.

We know the deal with Arizona and Baltimore – waiting for two-month rentals of Eugenio Suárez, Josh Naylor and Ryan O’Hearn to move has been much discussed. So let’s consider a few players that could truly make a difference.

Dreaming big on Mariners trades

Ronald Acuña Jr., OF, Atlanta Braves

• Chance of being dealt: 2% (He’s only on this list because Joel Sherman brought it up!)
• Why he fits: Because he’s one of the best players in baseball.
• What you could give up: Every name in the organization other than Cal Raleigh would be under consideration.

Acuña missed most of last season and the start of this one with an injury, but in his last full year (2023), he led the NL in hits, runs, steals, on-base, OPS, and total bases en route to wining the MVP. Oh, and he smacked 41 home runs in the process. He is only 27 and is under control for the next three seasons at $17 million per year. He is practically perfect and would be an amazing fit in right field.

To get him, the M’s would have to blow the Braves away. Colt Emerson, Lazaro Montes and Bryce Miller? That sounds insane, but consider what the Nationals got for Juan Soto, and remember that Acuña comes with more club control and Atlanta has a much better core around him than Washington did.

There is almost zero chance that the Braves decide to sell from their core, but if they do, the Mariners should try to blow them away. Adding him to this team would make Seattle an immediate World Series contender for the next three years and would be worth whatever you have to give up to do it.

Alex Bregman, 3B, Boston Red Sox

• Chance of being dealt: 15%
• Why he fits: Brings the bat, glove and mentality of a winner, and would make them better at third base without sacrificing much defense.
• What you could give up: Pitching. Emerson Hancock and Ryan Sloan?

I know, I know, you hate Bregman. But he is really good. Maybe not as good as he was in 2018 and 2019 when he finished with an OPS over 1.000 and .900, respectively, but still really good. He hits for a high average, gets on base, and still finds a way to hit 20 home runs a year, all while playing excellent defense and providing valuable experience.

But it’s more than that. He plays with an edge not often seen in this league, and I would love for the Mariners to have more of it.

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Bregman has an opt-out in his contract after this season so this could essentially be adding a rental, and Boston could still sign him to a longer deal. But if that doesn’t work out, it’s a chance to add a Scott Boras client for a short term who would help you win. And who knows, maybe he likes it so much he decides to stay?

The Sox farm system is loaded, especially with bats, so they might not be inclined to sell, especially as they are just a few games out of the wild card. But if they fall off and if they can’t re-sign Bregman, young pitching prospects might get it done.

I know, you still hate him. But I think you’d love him in a Mariners uniform. I certainly would.

Matt Olson, 1B, Atlanta Braves

• Chance of being dealt: 5%
• Why he fits: Legit, everyday power at your position of greatest need.
• What you could give up: Montes, Harry Ford (though Atlanta doesn’t really need a catcher) and Tai Peete.

As with Acuña, I don’t see the Braves giving up on their core. But there are a few reasons to put Olson in a different category. He’s older (31), more expensive ($22 million per year) and not quite as well rounded as Acuña. But what he provides is good, old fashioned power.

Olson is 6 foot 4 with 225 pounds of pop who hits 30-plus home runs every year. His left-handed bat would be a nice balance around Julio Rodríguez and Randy Arozarena in the Mariners’ lineup, and he handles left-handed pitching just fine with a career .802 OPS against southpaws.

Determining cost is a tough one. The Braves acquired Olson from Oakland for a package of four prospects headlined by Shea Langeliers and Christian Pache. Langeliers has turned into a nice player; Pache has not. But that deal came while Olson was 28 years old. At 31, he is one year younger than Freddie Freeman was when he left Atlanta and made room for Olson, so maybe Atlanta would want to try that again?

Atlanta needs offense in its system, but the Mariners don’t have a big-time first base prospect to offer in return. I think you’d have to convince them that Montes has the power to replace that production, just at a different position.

All three of these players are longshots. They are top-tier players that would make an enormous difference in the Mariners’ lineup.

Imagine:

Crawford, SS
Acuña, RF
Raleigh, C
Julio, CF
Arozarena, LF
Polanco, DH
Raley, 1B
Williamson, 3B
Young, 2B

Crawford, SS
Julio, CF
Raleigh, C
Bregman, 3B
Arozarena, LF
Polanco, DH
Raley, 1B
Canzone, RF
Young, 2B

Crawford, SS
Julio, CF
Raleigh, C
Olson, 1B
Arozarena, LF
Polanco, DH
Raley, RF
Williamson, 3B
Young, 2B

Those are lineups that would complement this pitching staff and make this team a contender for years before the next young core is ready. It’s fun to dream.