If Mariners want to go big on a bullpen trade, there are options

The vast majority of MLB trade deadline speculation for the Seattle Mariners has centered on offensive help, something they took a step in addressing with the acquisition of first baseman Josh Naylor. But it wouldn’t be a surprise if they also looked to add bullpen weaponry.

Where Suárez market stands for M’s after Yankees trade for a 3B

Seattle’s relief corps has had some strong moments this year, but the overall numbers for the group don’t particularly stand out. On the season, the Mariners’ bullpen ranks 12th in ERA (3.84), 18th in opponent batting average (.244) and 20th in WHIP (1.33).

The addition of another quality reliever or two to bridge the gap to two-time All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz could make a big difference down the stretch (and hopefully into the playoffs) for an M’s team currently clinging to one of the American League’s three wild cards. So who’s out there?

As it turns out, quite a few impact arms.

Here’s a quick look at some big relief names that made ESPN’s list this week of the top 50-ranked players who are candidates to be moved before the July 31 deadline. We’ve limited the list to players that the article, written by ESPN MLB insiders Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, gave at least a 20% chance of being traded and don’t play for a Mariners AL West rival.

Bullpen names Seattle Mariners could target

Minnesota Twins: Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax and Brock Stewart

With the Twins struggling to stay in the wild card race, they have three right-handers to dangle in front of contenders.

The 27-year-old Duran (1.90 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 16 saves) is absolutely filthy with a fastball that averages over 100 mph and a splitter that’s in the upper 90s, which is a ridiculous thing to say. He could bring in a significant haul for Minnesota with two years of arbitration left before free agency.

Jax (4.00 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 21 holds) may be the most interesting for the Mariners. The 30-year-old also has two years of arbitration to go, and while he hasn’t been quite as dominant as last year when he had a 2.03 ERA, he’s 100th percentile in baseball in chase rate and 99th percentile in whiff and strikeout rates.

The 33-year-old Stewart (2.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 14 holds), who is having his best season as a big leaguer, would be these cheapest of the three, though he too has two more years of arbitration left.

Cleveland Guardians: Emmanuel Clase and Cade Smith

Cleveland is in a similar spot to the Twins, and with a similar crop of bullpen arms.

Clase (2.74 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 23 saves) is a three-time All-Star who is due $6.4 million next year, then has two years of $10 million club options left on his deal. At 27, he’s a lot like Duran in that he has wicked stuff (chiefly a cutter that can hit triple-digits) and would be costly to get.

The 26-year-old Smith (3.12 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 19 holds), a Pacific Northwest native from nearby Abbotsford, British Columbia, has been good even if he’s taken a slight step back this year after breaking out as a rookie in 2024. He would be no bargain either as he’s a year away from even hitting arbitration eligibility.

Pittsburgh Pirates: David Bednar and Dennis Santana

Both of these talented Buccos right-handers have one more year of arbitration before hitting free agency after the 2026 season. The 30-year-old Bednar (2.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 15 saves) is a two-time All-Star, and the 29-year-old Santana (1.45 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 11 holds, five saves) has pitched like one this season.

St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Helsley and Phil Maton

Not only is the 31-year-old Helsley (3.00 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 21 saves) a big name as a two-time All-Star, but he’s the first rental option on this list as he’s set to be a free agent in the offseason.

Maton (2.35 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 20 holds) would also be a rental. The 32-year-old former Astros reliever is enjoying his best campaign thus far in nine MLB seasons.

Other names to watch

Jake Bird, Colorado Rockies (4.05 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 10 holds)
Kyle Finnegan, Washington Nationals (4.62 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 19 saves)
Emilio Pagán, Cincinnati Reds (2.76 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 21 saves)

Seattle Mariners news and analysis

• Where Suárez market stands for M’s after Yankees trade for a 3B
• Roster Move: M’s send down Mastrobuoni to add Naylor
• What the Mariners said about trade for Josh Naylor
• Why Ichiro values the 2018 season he sat out with M’s so much
• Keith Law says Cole Young is Mariners’ best prospect to trade

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