Trading for Former Nemesis Could Help Save Mariners Season
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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (4) hits a three run home run during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images [/caption]
The calendar is about to switch to August. The trade deadline is nearly upon us. This marathon of a baseball season will soon turn into a sprint towards October. The Seattle Mariners have yet to hit their stride. Now, time is running out.
The Rangers and Astros are improving and will surely look to upgrade themselves at the deadline in the battle for the AL West crown. The prevailing narrative for this MLB trade deadline is that many teams want to upgrade their offense, especially with a right-handed power bat. The supply cannot meet demand, therefore the sellers have the leverage.
The Mariners need big jolt into their offense as they sit at 53-57, 2 1/2 games out of first place in the AL West. Their offense has sputtered most of the year, ranking 28th in team OPS. Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor have been massive disappointments this season. If Seattle is going to turn this around, they need these two to hit like they have in the past, regardless of who the Mariners bring in.
The trade deadline is a time to set aside old grudges. The Mariners have been hurt in the playoffs by certain players recently. Of course, who could forget Houston's Yordan Alvarez? He might as well be Darth Vader in Seattle. But a more recent villain could be in play for a possible upgrade in the lineup.
The 2025 American League Championship Series was the most exciting and devastating playoff series in Mariners' history. They were essentially nine outs away from reaching their first World Series in team history against the Toronto Blue Jays. We all know the story. Manager Dan Wilson removed Bryan Woo with the Mariners leading 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh in Game 7. But the Blue Jays got the tying run to second base, with a runner on third as well.
Wilson opted for reliever Eduard Bazardo to face veteran George Springer. The former Astro then broke hearts all over Seattle and the Pacific Northwest with one swing. He launched a ball deep to left into a frenzy of Toronto fans to give the Blue Jays a late 4-3 lead that they would never relinquish on their way to the American League pennant and World Series appearance.
That moment has basically given Mariners fans the sports version of PTSD for 10 months now. Springer is squarely in the mix for biggest Mariners villain of all-time. Not just because of that moment, but also with his involvement in the 2017 Astros cheating scandal. The four-time All-Star has been the subject of Mariners' fans' ire for many years.
And yet, it might be time to extend a welcoming hand to Springer and welcome him aboard. He might just be what the Mariners need - a veteran right-handed bat with some pop. The Blue Jays are going nowhere fast, with s 50-59 record and in last place in the AL East. Springer himself is on an expiring deal, albeit an expensive one. He is owed $24 million in 2026. Certainly, that will be prorated down for the final two months of the season. But still, that would be no small addition to Seattle's payroll. There may need to be an agreement where the Blue Jays help pay for that salary in exchange for a better return.
Springer would slot right into this lineup as the perfect DH and outfield option. Indeed, he is having a down year for his standards (.234 AVG, .719 OPS, 96 OPS+), but he would still be a massive upgrade over the likes of Rob Refsynder (.143 AVG, .467 OPS, 34 OPS+) and Victor Robles (.248 AVG, .566 OPS, 65 OPS+). Not to mention his massive playoff experience, with an .880 OPS in 83 career playoff games.
Would Seattle fans be able to stomach such a deal? If it helps them get back on track towards a run through October, just about anything, or anyone, should be on the table.
On the Mariners side, Springer certainly wouldn't come for free. Yet, with his age, expiring contract, and down numbers, the Blue Jays don't have much leverage. Springer's 10-and-5 status also complicates things, meaning he can veto any trade as a veteran of at least 10 seasons, with over five years on the current team. So, there is a question of whether or not Springer even wants to come to Seattle. Still, he would get to come to a contender instead of flounder down the depths of the AL East with Toronto.
Certainly, the Mariners' top prospects are very off-limits for this deal. Korbyn Dickerson is a right-handed bat with 11 homers and an .883 OPS this year between Single-A and High-A. FanGraphs rates him as the Mariners' No. 15 prospect. That's about the ceiling for prospects the Mariners should offer in such a deal. To entice Toronto, they could also throw in a pitching prospect. 23-year-old right-hander Michael Morales is a starter for Double-A Arkansas and ranks 21st in the Mariners' organization.
Things can get complicated with Springer's veteran status and expensive expiring deal. Maybe the Mariners can throw in some bonus pool money to get Toronto to pay down some of his contract.
Then the Mariners get a proven, veteran bat for the postseason push. Even if it is an addition that may be a bit tough for some fans to initially swallow.
Final trade proposal:
Mariners get: OF/DH George Springer plus cash
Blue Jays get: OF Korbyn Dickerson (#15 prospect for SEA), SP Michael Morales (#21), and international bonus pool money
