> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # One Clear Need Emerges for Mariners Ahead of Trade Deadline - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/seattle-mariners-one-clear-need-ahead-trade-deadline/ - Published: 2026-06-09T18:37:19.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T06:11:25.000Z - Author: Nick Lee - Tags: Analysis, Mariners, Andres Munoz, Aroldis Chapman, MLB Trade Deadline, Antonio Senzatela \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2922"\] ![ Boston Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/usatsi_29134553-format-original.jpg) Boston Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images \[/caption\] Among the American League teams, it’s safe to say the Seattle Mariners are among the more complete squads. They have the star power in the lineup. They have a fearsome starting rotation. They have options off the bench to platoon. And they have a few elite arms coming out of the bullpen. They currently reside atop the AL West, two games ahead of the Texas Rangers. However, over the last few weeks, it has become clear that they will need to make at least one addition at the trade deadline (certainly, more would be welcome). Over the last week, the Mariners’ bullpen has hit a rocky patch. In their last 20 innings of work as a unit, they own a concerning 4.43 ERA, which ranks 20th in MLB in that timeframe. The biggest culprits in that span are Cooper Criswell (6.23 ERA in four appearances), Alex Hoppe (three earned runs in three innings), and a rough outing from closer Andres Muñoz. Hoppe and Criswell both own an ERA worse than 5.00 over the last month. Eduard Bazardo leads the team in homers allowed and walks in that time as well. They have already shipped off Casey Legumina after a lackluster start to the season. Is this just a brief bump in the road over a long season? It certainly could be. Either way, the Mariners must to add to their bullpen before MLB’s trade deadline on Monday, August 3rd at 6:00 PM ET. There has been some discussion about Muñoz’s role as the team’s closer. He has the second-most blown saves in baseball with five. The Mexican flamethrower owns a 9.00 ERA in high leverage situations in the ninth inning or later. Even with a scoreless inning in Seattle’s win over the Orioles on Monday, earning his 10th save of the season, he walked a batter and threw 20 pitches. There have been rocky patches in his season as the team’s main closer. Do the Mariners need to go out and get a proven closer elsewhere to actively replace Muñoz? Not necessarily. But at least one more high leverage, proven veteran arm out of the bullpen is needed. Jerry Dipoto and Justin Hollander should acquire a bona fide late inning reliever to add to Muñoz, Matt Brash, Gabe Speier, Eduard Bazardo, and Jose Ferrer among the higher leverage arms. That will only deepen and lengthen the Mariners bullpen, giving manager Dan Wilson more reliable late inning options. So, who might that addition be? Being early June, it’s hard to tell which teams are sellers. However, there are a few floundering teams with attractive relievers on short-term deals. The biggest name is in Boston, where Aroldis Chapman looks as good as ever on a team going nowhere. He owns a 0.46 ERA in almost 20 innings of work. Certainly, the name gravitas of Chapman might cost Seattle more, but this year, he would be worth it. Plus, there is a mutual option for 2027 if the two sides agree. He could be a left-handed option as a closer when the matchups late in the game favor Wilson calling upon a southpaw rather than Muñoz. Another name to look is on the other end of the spectrum, not from a blue-blood MLB team and lacking the same name recognition. Antonio Senzatela from the Rockies is having a standout season out of Colorado’s bullpen, which typically is not where you go for a solid season as a reliever. Senzatela converted from being a starter in Colorado to being a big part of the bullpen this year, achieving positive results. Through 36 1/3 innings as a reliever this season, Senzatela posts a 1.98 ERA with an electric repertoire of six pitches. He’s also on an expiring deal, meaning he wouldn’t cost nearly as much as Chapman. However it happens, the Mariners need to add at least one reliable bullpen arm ahead of the deadline later this summer. Along with Chapman and Senzatela, more possibilities likely will emerge in coming weeks as other teams start to fall further out of the playoff hunt.