The Seattle Mariners currently hold a 5.5 game lead in the American League West over the Texas Rangers. The starting pitching staff is one of the best in all of baseball, they rank fifth in all of baseball and fourth in the American League with a 3.41 ERA, eighth in all of baseball and fifth in the American League in FIP with a 3.73, first in all of baseball in WHIP with a 1.03, and second in baseball with the lowest BB/9 with a 1.94. The one thing holding them back from being a true World Series contender in 2024 is their bats, they currently rank 28th in batting average with a .220, 27th in OBP with a .298, 24th in SLG with a .366, 24th in OPS with a .664, and 24th in runs scored with 273 which is good for a 3.8 runs per game rate which with their pitching staff is manageable but with the trade deadline approaching there may be some bats available that could be added that would propel the Mariners into the American League conversation with the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles.
Three Bats The Mariners Could Look To Add
OF – Luis Robert – Chicago White Sox
Robert is 26 and he will turn 27 on August 3rd. It’s no secret that he’s available to trade but he’d cost a ransom to get with reports saying the White Sox are looking for a package like the Washington Nationals got for Juan Soto a few years ago. Robert is under contract until the end of next season but could sign an extension with his new team. Through his five seasons to this point, he is a .276 hitter with a .828 OPS; he has 86 doubles, two triples, 81 home runs, 220 RBI, 228 runs scored, 47 stolen bases, and 86 walks. This season he has only played in 16 games hitting .200 with a .845 OPS; he has two doubles, seven home runs, ten RBI, nine runs scored, one stolen base, and five walks. In his career at T-Mobile Park in 12 games he is hitting .159 with two doubles, four home runs, seven RBI, and six runs scored; he just wrapped up facing the Mariners in Seattle going 3-12 with three home runs and four RBI. A trade for Robert isn’t likely for the Mariners but he’s a name to watch.
1B – Pete Alonso – New York Mets
Alonso is in his age 29 season, he’s a free agent following this season and it was reported he is looking for a $200 million contract extension, the Mets don’t seem to be interested in doing that and keeping Alonso. He’s in his sixth season with the Mets hitting .249 with a .861 OPS; he has 127 doubles, seven triples, 206 home runs, 530 RBI, 440 runs scored, 15 stolen bases, and 314 walks. This season he is hitting .233 with a .774 OPS; he has 16 doubles, 14 home runs, 32 RBI, 38 runs scored, one stolen base, and 26 walks. Alonso will likely be available and may not cost as much as one might think and would be a nice piece in this lineup.
SS – Bo Bichette – Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have started winning so they may not end up selling but if they do Bichette may be a name to move. He turned 26 in March and like Robert, he’s not a free agent until 2026. Through the first six seasons of his career, he is hitting .293 with a .806 OPS; he has 143 doubles, seven triples, 93 home runs, 340 RBI, 353 runs scored, 55 stolen bases, and 141 walks. This season he’s hitting .240 with a .633 OPS; he has 13 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 28 RBI, 22 runs scored, four stolen bases, and 14 walks. In ten games at T-Mobile Park, he is hitting .259 with three doubles, two home runs, seven RBI, and eight runs scored. The Jays traded Cavan Biggio the other day to the Dodgers could Bichette be a name moved if they can’t stay in the race he could be a great addition to the Mariners lineup.
Wrap Up
The Mariners need a bat, of the three which would you bring in or is there another player out there that might be available at the deadline that you’d rather add?
