Seattle Mariners Trade Rumors: Will Mariners Seek New Closer Before MLB Trade Deadline? Jon Heyman Believes So
Seattle Mariners trade rumors have gone in an odd direction. New Mariners rumors suggest that the team needs to go after another closer in order to make a run at the postseason. A report from CBS Sports and baseball analyst Jon Heyman names Francisco Rodriguez of the Milwaukee Brewers, Brad Ziegler of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Joaquin Benoit of the San Diego Padres as good trade targets.
This report might come as a shock to Mariners fans, especially with how much the offense has struggled this season. Heading into Saturday (July 11), the Mariners have the worst ranked offense in the American League and 29th ranked overall. The team has a combined batting average of just .235, an on-base percentage of just .295, and has scored only 304 runs on the season. The Toronto Blue Jays have scored 470 to give a bit of perspective there.
Despite showing recent signs of improvement at the plate, including Robinson Cano and Mark Trumbo finding their swings, these latest Seattle Mariners trade rumors suggest going after more pitching. Now it’s certainly true that Fernando Rodney has struggled a bit as the primary closer for the Mariners, but Carson Smith has been exemplary during his chances. Smith has a 1.78 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and has saved 6-of-7 chances this season. Opponents are hitting just .167 against him, and he has 45 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings pitched.
Other Mariners pitchers who have been doing well out of the bullpen include Mark Lowe (0.67 ERA), Charlie Furbush (2.08 ERA), Joe Beimel (2.73 ERA), and Vidal Nuno (3.00 ERA). The roster has shuffled a few guys in and out with Triple-A Tacoma, with several of the pitchers like Tom Wilhelmsen and Danny Farquhar getting demoted to work on things. It’s true, the Mariners could use another arm that could shut down opponents, but would an improved bullpen really get this team to the postseason?
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the Mariners completed a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks to acquire Mark Trumbo. This was to add some power to the lineup, but he has driven in only seven runs since his acquisition. Trumbo is now 21-for-98 at the plate for the Mariners, with five extra base hits, seven RBIs, and a .214 batting average. Adding him took up a roster spot that the front office in Seattle might want him to hold for now.
The reason Jon Heyman listed those particular three pitchers is that they play for teams basically out of the playoff race. They also might not be too expensive, but fans might not believe that the addition of either Francisco Rodriguez, Brad Ziegler, or Joaquin Benoit is actually going to be enough to make this a playoff team. They are all talented, but fans want to believe Seattle Mariners trade rumors that lead to players like Carlos Gomez, Josh Reddick, Ben Zobrist, or Justin Upton coming to town. Will the front office actually spend the money to get something done though?
[Image Source: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images]
