Morosi: 2 Mariners trade targets from AL West rival

There are just three teams remaining that president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has not made a trade with since joining the Seattle Mariners as general manager in 2015.

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The Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers and Colorado Rockies are the trio that make up that small group. According to MLB Network insider Jon Morosi, the Mariners may want to trim the list to two before the July 31 trade deadline this summer.

During his weekly conversation with Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, Morosi highlighted a pair of Angels bats that would fit Seattle’s needs.

“I think for now, Taylor Ward is the option I would mention,” Morosi said. “And also potentially Yoán Moncada. … Those are some names of guys that will likely not cost a tremendous amount of prospects.”

A closer look at Ward and Moncada

Ward, 31, is under club control through 2026 and brings power in the corner outfield from the right side of the plate. With 18 home runs in 65 games this season, he is well on pace to break his previous career high of 25 set last year.

Ward has a track record of being an above-average hitter, posting at least a .749 OPS and 107 wRC+ (100 is league average) in each season from 2021-24. But he’s had an up-and-down 2025 campaign thus far. After hitting .175 through April, Ward batted .255 with 10 home runs in May. He’s just 4 for 32 so far in June.

“Now Ward is under contract not just for this year but next year as well. So there would be some insurance there,” Morosi said. “Similar profile in some ways to Mitch Haniger, but I think in general he’s younger and offers a bit more. I think Taylor Ward does (offer more) in terms of his athleticism.”

That extra year of club control would give the Mariners an option for left field next season if they don’t re-sign Randy Arozarena.

Moncada, 30, was MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 prospect in 2017 and received down-ballot MVP votes during a standout 2019 season. However, injuries have have hampered him in recent years.

Moncada has played just 134 games since the start of 2023. Back issues limited him to 92 games in 2023, and he played just 12 games when a left adductor strain sidelined him for five months last season.

He has shown some signs of his highly regarded abilities since joining the Angels this year. He’s hitting .237 with an .841 OPS, 134 wRC+ and 13 extra-base hits (including six home runs) in 30 games.

Injures have been a problem once more, though. Moncada went on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation on June 2, which was less than a month removed from missing four weeks with a sprained thumb.

“He’s someone that obviously had a bit of an up-and down-career with Chicago and has had to come back on something of a prove-it deal,” Morosi said. “And he’s proven that I think he’s at least a competent, league-average bat.

Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Listen to Wyman and Bob weekdays from 2-7 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app. 

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