2025 Offseason Position Player Trade Target Tier List
My boss has been out of the office this week and my email inbox has been light this week, so I’ve had a lot of time on my hands to not be productive. And with that time, I have created a tier list of possible trade targets the Mariners could look into this offseason. The criteria for targets were loose but, I tried to keep it at least semi-realistic as far as guys that make some sense to be traded this offseason in general while also making sense for the Mariners to target.
I figured this was a bit too long for a moose track’s comment so in the fan post it goes. I also threw around some possibly blocked prospects in my head that could make sense, Coby Mayo, Justin Foscue and Brett Baty that could make some sense, but those trades are a lot harder to predict so I left them off the list.
Let me know your thoughts, if you’d be interested in a similar Tier List of Free Agents. I will also probably come up with an offseason plan like I did last offseason of what I think the Mariners could do in the coming months.
Tier 1A: Banger Who Bang:
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. RHH 1B, Toronto Blue Jays.
2025 Opening Day Age: 26
2024- 5.4 fWAR, 165 wRC+, 159 G.
FA 2026
2025 Arb Estimate: $29.6MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 98th percentile Batting Value AKA Dude is a Banger who Bangs.
Probably the best bat they could get via trade, but I doubt he gets traded so it will remain a pipe dream for the time being.
Brent Rooker, RHH DH/LF/RF, The Las Vegas Athletics of Sacramento
2025 Opening Day age: 30
2024- 5.1 fWAR, 164 wRC+, 145G
FA 2028
2025 Arb Estimate: 5.1MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 5th percentile Whiff %, get used to him swing and missing but when he makes contact the ball tends to be hit hard.
The A’s don’t need to trade him, he is first year arb eligible this offseason so not expensive but he also turns 30 soon and is coming off what will probably be the best year of his career. Its probably time to sell high on him (unless they want to be competitive in Sacramento for some reason). Unfortunately, if they do sell high on him they seem pretty against doing that in the division.
Triston Casas, LHH 1B, Boston Red Sox
2025 Opening Day age: 25
2024- 0.6 fWAR, 119 wRC+, 63 G
FA 2029
2025 Salary: MLB Minmium
Statcast Stat to Know: 23.1 % Chase rate and 12.3 % BB rate, he controls the zone well.
The Red Sox don’t need to trade him, and if they do, they probably are asking for one of the Rotation guys. I’m not trading Gilbert, Kirby, Woo or Miller for him unless there are other things coming from the Red Sox and I doubt the Red Sox are willing to do that.
Tier 1B: actual non-1B infielders that fill a huge need:
Jordan Westburg, RHH 2B/3B, Baltimore Orioles
2025 Opening Day age: 26
2024- 2.8 fWAR, 125 wRC+, 107 G.
FA 2030
2025 Salary: MLB Minimum
Statcast Stat to Know: 12th Percentile OAA (-5) but if you dig deeper, you see that he was -2 OAA in 10 innings at SS and -7 OAA in 381.2 innings at 2B but was +5 OAA in 542.2 at 3B. As a full time third baseman it could optimize his overall value.
I think he costs Miller/Woo (Maybe a Castillo plus a reliever trade could make sense but seems unlikely). He is probably the one young team-controlled infielder that is possibly available that I’d be willing to trade from the rotation for.
Alec Bohm, RHH 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
2025 Opening Day age: 28
2024- 3.5 fWAR, 115 wRC+, 143 G.
FA 2027
2025 Arb Estimate: $8.1MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 92nd percentile 14.2% K rate.
After getting benched in the playoffs maybe it’s time for a change of scenery. Seems like a safe bet to be at least a 3-win 3B with some upside still left to tap into. Not sure what exactly he would cost but maybe its as simple as sending them Rojas to be a utility guy for them plus a high leverage reliever in Santos (Or Munoz/Brash) and/or a Logan Evans/Braydn Garcia/Emerson Hancock as young Starting Pitching depth.
Bo Bichette, RHH SS, Toronto Blue Jays
2025 Opening Day age: 27
2024- 0.3 fWAR, 71 wRC+, 81 G.
FA 2026
2025 Salary: $17.5MM.
Statcast Stat to Know: 19% K Rate, so still had an above average K rate even though he was bad in 2024.
Would be a big/risky swing for 1 year of Bichette coming off injury/the worst year of his career but before this year was a consistent 4-5 win SS. I think the Blue Jays are better off keeping him but reports say there is a chance he will be moved. It could be a way to get a foot in the door to a guy they probably wouldn’t be able to get in FA.
CJ Abrams, LHH SS, Washington Nationals
2025 Opening Day age: 24
2024- 1.9 fWAR, 107 wRC+. 136 G
FA 2029
2025 Salary: I believe is Super 2 Eligible if he is estimate is 4.5MM.
Statcast Stat to Know: 1st percentile OAA (-17) could a move to 2B and some Perry Hill Magic dust turn him into a positive value defender.
Maybe the Nationals are done with him after the Casino all-nighter. He still has a ton of upside but was not very good in the 2nd half of the season. I don’t see a great reason for the Nationals to trade him this offseason but It could be on the table and if a pure prospect package could get it done I think it’s a swing you make.
Nico Hoerner, RHH 2B/SS, Chicago Cubs
2025 Opening Day age: 27
2024- 3.9 fWAR, 103 wRC+, 154 G
FA 2027
2025 Salary: 11.5MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 99th percentile Whiff and K %, dude makes contact.
The Cubs don’t need to trade him but, they have SS and 3B locked in and have a couple of highly thought of infield prospects knocking on the door that may be better offensive players than Nico. Maybe trading a combo of young pitching in the Evans/Garcia/Morales/Hancock bucket and/or Harry Ford makes some sense for both sides. I question how the bat fits in Seattle but with his defense/baserunning and age the floor is high.
Tier 2A: Non-1B Infielders that fill a need
Gavin Lux, LHH 2B, Los Angels Dodgers
2025 Opening Day age: 27
2024- 1.5 fWAR, 100 wRC+, 139G
FA 2027
2025 Arb Estimate: 2.7MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 85th percentile Chase %, Historically has shown the ability to Control the Zone.
Coming off an ACL tear that lead to him missing all of 2023 was a much better hitter in the 2nd half (60 wRC+ vs 152 wRC+), could he be fully healthy, and the 2nd half hitter is closer to the hitter he is going to be going forward? Not sure if the Dodgers would be looking to trade him with the question marks, they have in the middle infield but I could see a scenario where they would want Castillo to add to their Rotation and maybe they are willing to give up Lux in order to do so.
Brandon Lowe, LHH 2B, Tampa Bay Rays
2025 Opening Day age: 30
2024- 2.2 fWAR, 123 wRC+, 107 G
FA 2027 (Club option 2026)
2025 Salary: 10.5MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 91st Percentile xSLG, for a 2B he Bangs.
I was a bit surprised he wasn’t moved at the deadline so maybe the Rays want to keep him but seems like an obvious target for the Mariners and though he does have red flags when he is healthy, he hits.
Brendan Donovan 2B/LF, St. Louis Cardinals
2025 Opening Day age: 28
2024- 3.2 fWAR,115 wRC+, 153 G
FA 2028
2025 Arb Estimate: 3.6MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 97th Percentile K % and 95th Percentile whiff %, Dude makes contact.
Seems more likely to be a piece that the Cardinals would want to build around but if they are taking a step back or really want some young pitching maybe the Mariners could snag him.
Jonathan India, RHH 2B, Cincinnati Reds
2025 Opening Day age: 28
2024- 2.8 fWAR, 108 wRC+, 151 G
FA 2027
2025 Salary: 5.45MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 98th percentile Chase % and 97th percentile BB %, controls the zone well.
If he hasn’t been traded, he is going to come up as a trade option for the Mariners, it just makes sense. Though with hiring Francona I would think the Reds are wanting to contend this year and I don’t think its likely they would take a prospect package the Mariners would want to give up for India.
Nolan Gorman, LHH 2B, St. Louis Cardinals
2025 Opening Day age: 24
2024- 0.3 fWAR, 87 wRC+, 107G
FA 2029
2025 Salary: MLB Minimum
Statcast Stat to Know: 98th percentile Barrel %
Gorman did not have a good season after having a breakout season in 2023, but maybe some of his 2024 suckage could be explained by a lingering back injury. The Cardinals would probably be selling low on Gorman but maybe they have interest in some of the Mariners near-MLB ready pitching prospects and could make a deal. Gorman could give the Mariners a power producing 2B we all want them to have.
Ryan McMahon, LHH 3B, Colorado Rockies
2025 Opening Day age: 30
2024- 1.9 fWAR, 89 wRC+, 154 G
FA 2028
2025 Salary: 12MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 93rd percentile Hard-hit rate.
I will preface this with saying who knows what the hell the Rockies will do. Should they trade Ryan McMahon for prospects? Probably. Will they? Probably not. He hits the ball hard, takes walks, and is a good defender at 3B. He has never been an above average hitter by wRC+, and does have a pretty big home/road spits but I feel like there might be something their that taking him out of Coors completely might make him a better hitter.
Tier 2B: 1B/DH semi-bangers who semi-bang
Nathanial Lowe, LHH 1B Texas Rangers
2025 Opening Day age: 29
2024- 2.8 fWAR, 121 wRC+, 140 G
FA 2027
2025 Arbitration Estimate: 10.7MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 97th percentile BB rate. Dude gets on base.
While I think it is unlikely that the Rangers would trade him, he is getting very expensive in arbitration, they are being hit harder than the Mariners on the RSN side of things that maybe the Rangers would want to reallocate that money elsewhere and take on some needed young pitching.
Ryan Mountcastle, RHH 1B, Baltimore Orioles
2025 Opening Day age: 28
2024- 1.5 fWAR, 108 wRC+, 120 G
FA 2027
2025 Arbitration Estimate: 6.6MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 90th percentile bat speed. Maybe there is some more home run power that can be unlocked with his bat speed and getting away from the LF wall in Baltimore.
Seems like he could be the odd man out in Baltimore and could be had for a price that makes sense for the Mariners (I am thinking Emerson Hancock or Colin Snider level reliever). Think he would be a nice compliment to Raley at 1B.
Yandy Díaz, RHH 1B, Tampa Bay Rays
2025 Opening Day age: 33
2024- 1.9 fWAR, 120 wRC+, 145 G
FA 2027 (2026 Club option)
2025 Salary: 10MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 92nd Percentile Average exit velocity. He hits the ball hard but into the ground; could there be a change that could unlock more home run power.
The Mariners allegedly tried to trade for him at the deadline, but the Rays didn’t end up moving him so maybe they want to keep him around. His age worries me and the Lack of Home Run power out of the 1B position worries me as well but for the right price like a prospect package maybe a step lower than what they gave up for Randy I’d be all for it.
LaMonte Wade Jr., LHH 1B, San Francisco Giants
2025 Opening Day age: 31
2024- 1.3 fWAR,119 wRC+, 117 G
FA 2027
2025 Salary: 4.7MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 99th percentile BB rate, dude gets on base.
Wade Jr. gives me Ty France that hits Left-Handed and Walks vibes. He doesn’t have the power I want out of first base but he is a good hitter and the Mariners need more good hitters. Not sure if the Giants trade him but they seem pretty far from contention and they can probably get something pretty decent for him at the deadline.
Tier 2C: OF that would be an improvement to what they have but aren’t super logical fits
Luis Robert Jr. , RHH CF Chicago White Sox
2025 Opening Day age: 27
2024- 0.5 fWAR,84 wRC+, 100 G
FA 2028 (26 and 27 Club options)
2025 Salary: 15MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 2nd percentile Whiff and K %. He fits into the lineup already!
He is a polarizing player he has shown that he can be a 5 win CF when healthy. Only problem he is never healthy. I have no idea how the White Sox and really the league would peg his trade value. It would be a fun swing to make but I think the White Sox are better off seeing if he can regain some trade value and the Mariners are better of putting trade assets and money into a player that is more of a sure thing.
Taylor Ward, RHH LF Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Disneyland, California, USA
2025 Opening Day Age: 31
2024- 2.7 fWAR, 111 wRC+, 156 G
FA 2027
2025 Arbitration Estimate: 9.2MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 99th percentile LA Sweet-Spot %, don’t know exactly what this means but it sounds provocative and will get the people going.
Did you love 2017-2022 Mitch Haniger? You’ll like 2025 Taylor Ward. Will the Angels make a trade with Jerry Dipoto? Probably not. But if they ever do I wouldn’t hate if it was for Taylor Ward.
Tier 3A Good Role Players that would be solid secondary/tertiary bats added this offseason
Ryan O’Hearn, LHH 1B/RF/LF, Baltimore Orioles
2025 Opening Day age: 31
2024- 1.7 fWAR, 119 wRC+, 142 G
FA 2026
2025 Salary: 8MM (Club Option)
Statcast Stat to Know: 64th Percentile Sprint Speed, much like Luke Raley is fast for a big guy.
O’Hearn is essentially Luke Raley that is a little slower and strikes out less. O’Hearn is probably redundant for the Mariners but acquiring him would fill out some DH ABs and allow Raley to play more OF. If the Orioles bring back Santander I could see them moving O’Hearn for bullpen help and give younger guys they have the ABs he would be getting.
Willi Castro. SH, Super Utility, Minnesota Twins
2025 Opening Day age: 27
2024- 3.1 fWAR, 108 wRC+, 158 G
FA 2026
2025 Arbitration Estimate: 6.2MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 74th Percentile OAA, 83rd Percentile Arm Strength. Dude can play pretty much anywhere at an average to above average rate.
Do you like Dylan Moore but wish he’d hit RHP better? Then you’ll love Willi Castro! The Twins are probably cutting costs and Castro seems like a guy they could move on from. If the Mariners can’t get a real deal full time infielder improvement why not get Castro and run a super utility platoon with him and Dylan Moore?
Mike Yastrzemski, LHH RF, San Franscico Giants
2025 Opening Day age: 34
2024- 1.5 fWAR, 106 wRC+, 140 G
FA 2026
2025 Arbitration Estimate: 9.5MM
Statcast Stat to Know: 80th percentile chase rate
If the Mariners are going to roll with Raley at 1B a competent LHH outfielder would be nice to have, and he fills that role. I think at his arb estimate he is probably a bit to expensive for the role he’d have on the Mariners but, he seems like a guy the Mariners would target.