4 teams Mariners could turn to for bullpen help at trade deadline

The Seattle Mariners have turned their season around during an 11-3 stretch that has catapulted them into first place in the American League West and to a season-best four games over .500 at 36-32.

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While Seattle has been one of baseball’s hottest teams of late, its bullpen has looked rather shaky – and was hit with two key injuries over the past two days. Cooper Criswell was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain Tuesday, and high-leverage arm Matt Brash was placed to the 15-day IL with a right lat strain Wednesday.

The bullpen is starting to look like clearest area the Mainers need to upgrade at the trade deadline. Below is a look at teams with multiple bullpen arms the Mariners could turn to for help when the deadline draws nearer. For now, we’re only looking at teams with below .500 records. All records and stats are entering Wednesday.

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox have the second-worst record in the AL at 27-38 and are at the bottom of the AL East. Boston also has the reliever who would be the most coveted arm in the trade market if he becomes available in eight-time All-Star left-hander Aroldis Chapman.

Chapman, who is under contract through this season, is having another phenomenal year at 38 years old with a sparkling 0.46 ERA over 19 2/3 innings. Since the start of 2025, his 1.00 ERA is the best among qualified MLB relievers. Chapman’s checkered past, which includes a 2016 domestic violence case, makes him seem like an unlikely acquisition for the M’s. They’ve typically avoided players with character concerns under their current regime, but having a reliever of Chapman’s caliber during a playoff run could be the difference between winning a World Series and not.

Right-hander Garrett Whitlock is also an intriguing option who could be a fixture in the bullpen beyond 2026. He has a 3.05 ERA over 20 2/3 innings this season, and a 2.43 ERA and 31% strikeout (both top 25 among qualified MLB relievers) over 92 2/3 innings since the start of last year. The 29-year-old Whitlock signed a contract extension with Boston in 2022 that includes club options for the 2027 and ’28 seasons.

New York Mets

The Mets have been one of MLB’s most disappointing teams this season with a 29-37 record that has them in last place in the NL East. They have a couple of bullpen arms that could be of interest to the M’s at the deadline.

Right-hander Luke Weaver, who pitched in five games for the Mariners in 2023, has a 2.48 ERA over 29 innings this season, and a 3.09 ERA over 177 2/3 innings since the start of the 2024 campaign. However, the $12.5 million he’s owed next season could make him a less attractive piece to go after.

Former Astros left-hander Brooks Raley could also be an option here. He has a 1.48 ERA over 24 1/3 innings pitched this season and would be a one-year rental who shouldn’t cost too much. But there are some durability concerns since the 37 year old is attempting to pitch his first full season since having Tommy John Surgery in 2024, and there’s some bad blood from the past between him in the Mariners.

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles, who the Mariners are currently visiting in a series in Baltimore, are one of the many AL teams to monitor between now and the All-Star break as they’re six games below .500 at 31-37 but still just 2 1/2 games out of an AL wild card berth.

Right-hander Yennier Cano, who’s having a bounce-back season, looks like the best Baltimore reliever for Seattle to go after. The 2023 All-Star has a 2.53 ERA over 21 1/3 innings pitched this season, and his 4.9% walk rate in his best since his All-Star campaign. The 32-year-old Cano also has plenty of high-leverage experience and is under club control through 2028.

Right-hander Ryan Helsley is the bigger name that teams could inquire the Orioles about. From 2022-24, Helsley’s 1.83 ERA was the third-best among qualified MLB relievers. And after some struggles last season, the two-time All-Star posted a 2.53 ERA over 10 2/3 innings and went 7 of 7 in save opportunities before landing on the injured list on May 1 with right shoulder inflammation. Helsley threw a live batting practice Monday and could begin a rehab assignment soon. His $14 million player option for next season is an aspect in any trade suitor will have to factor in too.

Miami Marlins

At 32-35, the Marlins are still just 2 1/2 games back of an NL wild card berth, but they aren’t expected to be contenders as the season progresses.

Right-hander Anthony Bender stands out as a player for the M’s to go after. He’s quietly been one of baseball’s better relievers since last season, posting a 2.44 ERA over 77 1/3 innings. He has a 2.96 ERA and a career-best 28.7% strikeout rate over 27 1/3 innings this season. Bender, 31, is under club control through 2027.

Left-hander John King could be another option here as a middle-relief arm. The 31 year old is having a bounce-back season with a 2.30 ERA over 27 1/3 innings. He’s also under club control through 2027.

More names to know

Kyle Finnegan, Detroit Tigers; Brock Burke, Cincinnati Reds; Daniel Lynch IV, Kansas City Royals; Antonio Senzatela, Colorado Rockies.

Seattle Mariners news and more

• Cal Raleigh slugs two HRs in rehab game with Tacoma
• Mariners’ depth could mean a different kind of trade deadline
• Seattle Mariners put shortstop J.P. Crawford on 10-day IL

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