Seattle Mariners Looking To Add A High-Leverage Bullpen Arm

The Seattle Mariners kick-started the MLB Trade Deadline last week with a move for Josh Naylor. The M’s don’t appear to be done either. It’s been reported that the Mariners are still active in trade talks for Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez.

Mariners President of Baseball Operations said on Sunday that one area the Mariners would like to address is the bullpen.

“We do have some other areas we’d like to address,” Dipoto said on SiriusXM MLB Network Radio’s Front Office show. “(and) not the least of which is, like every other team in the postseason hunt, we’d like to add to that bullpen.”

Seattle Mariners Bullpen

The Mariners have some elite arms in the bullpen with two-time All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz and high-leverage reliever Matt Brash. Though with two of the relievers that were on the opening day roster now on the IL, the Mariners could use another quality arm.

The bullpen has been middle of the pack for Seattle this season, ranking 12th in ERA (3.81), 19th in WHIP (1.32), and 19th in strikeout rate (21.6%). There are some options for the Mariners to add another reliever at the deadline. The Cleveland Guardians may have some arms on the market in Emmanuel Clase and Cade Smith. Minnesota has right-handers Jhoan Durán and Griffin Jax. The Pittsburgh Pirates also have David Bednar, whom they could trade. If the Mariners do acquire Eugenio Suarez, they could also try to grab Shelby Miller. Miller has been outstanding in the D-Backs bullpen this season with a 1.98 ERA.

The Mariners are looking to get back to the postseason after missing by a game in the last two years. Getting a high-leverage arm at the deadline has become a priority for the Mariners, and Dipoto stated that they will be aggressive in that market.

“And we will be as aggressive in that area of the market as just about anybody, I would imagine.”

With a top-five farm system, the Mariners have a deep enough farm system that they could likely facilitate any deal. The M’s have eight prospects in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100: SS/3B Colt Emerson (15), OF/DH Lazaro Montes (23), C Harry Ford (49), 2B/SS Michael Arroyo (58), RHP Ryan Sloan (59), SS Felnin Celesten (61), OF Jonny Farmelo (62), RHP/LHP Jurrangelo Cijntje (70).