The Mariners are in the market for a boost on the left side of the infield. The flexibility of infielder Colt Emerson means the addition could be a shortstop or a third baseman, relays Adam Jude of the Seattle Times.
“We really appreciate the fact that Colt is versatile enough to go be our best third baseman on any given day,” president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said. “Our resting point right now is that we go into the season and Colt is our shortstop, but we don’t want to limit ourselves or limit our targets in an offseason acquisition to just a third baseman.”
Veteran J.P. Crawford took most of the reps at shortstop this past season, with Emerson and others filling in behind him. Both Crawford and Emerson also saw time at third base, along with trade acquisition Brendan Donovan. As a team, Seattle ranked dead last in OPS at the hot corner. Crawford is a free agent, and the club prefers to use Donovan in a more versatile role instead of installing him as the everyday option at third base.
Per Jude, Dipoto suggested that a trade was the most likely route toward finding an upgrade in the infield. The top exec mentioned that improving the infield defense on the left side was also a priority, which is part of the reason Donovan (-4 Defensive Runs Saved at 3B) is best-suited elsewhere. Emerson was a neutral defender at shortstop and a slight negative at third base.
The list of trade targets is lengthy. It also runs the gamut in terms of feasibility and cost. Jude reports that the players the Mariners front office has “discussed internally or inquired about” include Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez, Orioles infielders Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg, Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, Angels shortstop Zach Neto, Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena, Giants utilityman Casey Schmitt, and Athletics infielder Zack Gelof.
Jude notes that Lopez, Henderson, and De La Cruz are longshots who’ve already been shot down or downplayed as trade candidates by their organizations. The logistics with Neto and Pena are tough considering both are in the AL West. There are challenges with an intradivision deal, with Jude noting that it’s usually a nonstarter for Astros owner Jim Crane. Seattle also wouldn’t be pumped about having to face someone like George Kirby or Emerson Hancock a few times a year. Gelof also falls in the same category as an AL West foe.
Westburg and Schmitt seem like the most reasonable options. Baltimore is known to be open for business. The roster has a crowded group in the infield, particularly at third base. Westburg was an above-average hitter in both 2024 and 2025. The complicating factor is that he missed all of 2026 with oblique and elbow injuries. Westburg also wouldn’t be the defensive upgrade Dipoto mentioned, as he’s posted -7 DRS in his career at the hot corner.
The Giants make sense as a trade partner. They were crushed by pitching injuries last season and could use an addition to the rotation. Seattle was connected to Schmitt over the summer. He had a breakout campaign, but missed the final two months of the season after a significant knee injury. Schmitt is expected to be ready for the 2027 campaign.
Kirby and Hancock have been cited as the most likely arms to be dealt from the Mariners rotation, including by Jude in another post. One pitcher that won’t be moved is top prospect Ryan Sloan. Jude reports that the young right-hander is viewed as untouchable by execs around the league. GM Justin Hollander said as much this week, telling reporters that he “wouldn’t anticipate Ryan Sloan being traded.”
Sloan is among the highest-regarded pitching prospects in the league. He’s right up there with Kade Anderson as the most-prized assets in the organization. The 2024 second-round pick posted a 3.73 ERA in 22 starts at Double-A in 2026. He had a 30.9% strikeout rate and a pristine 3.9% walk rate. Sloan should be ready to join Anderson in the majors as soon as this upcoming season. It would likely take parting with a pitcher of his caliber to net Henderson or Lopez, but Seattle doesn’t seem inclined to go that route.
“It’s really hard to develop high-end, young major-league starting pitching, and with Kade and Sloan, we feel like we have that — and you can never have too much of it,” Hollander said. “And the moment you get rid of it, it’s very scary.”
Photo courtesy of John Jones, Imagn Images
Hence then, the article about mariners notes infield needs trade candidates sloan was published today ( ) and is available on MLBtraderumors ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Mariners Notes: Infield Needs, Trade Candidates, Sloan )
Also on site :
- Reality TV Fans Are on a Mission to Unmask the Hulu or Bravo Husband Who Made an Inappropriate Remark About an Inner-Circle Woman
- Knott’s Berry Farm Sold Just 8 Chicken Dinners for 65 Cents Each in 1934; 63 Years Later, the Theme Park Sold for $300 Million
- ‘One Life to Live’ Star’s Husband and ‘BoJack Horseman’ Director Dies at 48 as Family Makes Surprising Request