One stab at a 2025 M's lineup
If free agent hitters won't come to Seattle, the Mariners may need to thin out the farm to fill out the lineup while staying within the rumored budget.To that end, let's examine trades based on values (listed in parentheses in millions of dollars from that player's most recent trade):2B Ryan Bliss (14.5)OF Jonny Farmelo (21.7)to Tampa Bay for2B Brandon Lowe (13.7) [$10.5 million in 2025, $11.5 million club option in 2025 with $500,000 buyout]1B Yandy Diaz (23.4) [$10 million in 2025, $12 millon club option in 2026 with no buyout]The Rays get a high-ceiling outfield prospect and an infield replacement while shedding their two highest salaries.C Harry Ford (19.5)3B Ben Williamson (7.0)to Philadelphia for3B Alec Bohm (25.5) [projected 2025 salary of $8.1 million with two years of team control]The Phillies groom a replacement for J.T. Realmuto and get a lottery ticket at third base (while reducing their luxury tax)SS Michael Arroyo (13.7)OF Mitch Haniger (-15.5) [$17.5 million in 2025 plus $1 million assignment bonus]Round A Comp Balance Pick No. 33 (4.4)to Colorado forRound B Comp Balance Pick No. 76 (2.0)Much like the Atlanta Braves taking on salary to acquire Jarred Kelenic, the Rockies pay $15+ million for the rights to promising shortstop prospect Michael Arroyo while moving up in the draft. Seattle's Round A pick currently is No. 33 while Colorado's Round B pick sits at No. 76.Diaz, Lowe and Bohm have a combined 2025 salary of $28.6 million with team control through 2026 (but no guaranteed commitment for 2026).The Mariners would take on Haniger's $1 million assignment bonus but subtract his disputed 2025 salary of $15.5 million to $17.5 million.The net result would get the Mariners within the $16 million the team reportedly has to spend this offseason. The M's might have a few million left over for a bullpen arm or two.The lineups (banking on a bounceback from J.P. Crawford):SS J.P. CrawfordCF Julio Rodriguez1B Yandy DiazC Cal Raleigh3B Alec BohmLF Luke RaleyDH Randy Arozarena2B Brandon LoweRF Victor RoblesAgainst lefthanders:SS J.P. CrawfordCF Julio Rodriguez1B Yandy DiazC Cal Raleigh3B Alec BohmLF Randy ArozarenaDH Mitch Garver2B Brandon Lowe/Dylan MooreRF Victor RoblesThe trades would cost the Mariners six years of Ryan Bliss and their No. 4, No. 9, No. 12 and No. 15 prospects at MLB.com. However, the M's would retain Colt Emerson, Cole Young, Lazaro Montes and Felnin Celesten, among others. By 2027 the top prospects should be ready after the expirations of team control over Crawford, Lowe, Bohm, Diaz, Robles and Arozarena.
The Mariners would be moving most of their position chips to the center of the table for the two-year window. The infield of Diaz, Lowe, Crawford and Bohm would be remarkable in that all four have similar salaries for those two seasons (although only Crawford would be guaranteed a 2026 contract).
Let me take cover before you fire off your responses. ;-)