The New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners have reportedly talked about a trade involving Brett Gardner and James Paxton this offseason, according to media reports. The Mariners are looking to be active this winter with moves and Fox Sports reports that trades for Jackie Bradley, John Jay or Leonys Martin could be targets along with a move for free agent Gerardo Parra.
The Mariners had a disappointing 2015 season after finishing one game out of a playoff spot in 2014 and now the team has a new GM and manager. Jerry Dipoto is coming in after taking over for Jack Zduriencik and he is planning on remaking the roster after the down year. According to Joel Sherman at the New York Post, the Mariners and Yankees have talked a deal about Brett Gardner, although nothing is close to happening yet.
Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports reports that the Mariners also are looking at John Jay, Peter Bourjos, Leonys Martin and Jackie Bradley as potential trade targets, while Parra is a player that Dipoto likes and could target in free agency.
Sherman writes that while the team is not willing to talk about Taijuan Walker in a deal, but the team is willing to consider making a move with James Paxton. Sherman reports that Gardner is a player that Dipoto has "liked going back to his time as an executive with the Diamondbacks and Angels." Gardner would be an upgrade at the position for Seattle, as the team did not get much offensive production past Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager last season.
The Yankees have a need for starting pitching and Paxton could be an option if the team wants to move Gardner. Paxton has gone 12-8 with a 3.16 ERA over 30 starts in three seasons, but he has also dealt with injury issues. The Mariners need a center fielder, as they traded away Austin Jackson last season and are looking for an upgrade at the position. Powell can play centerfield and he may be the player of the future at that position, but he may not be ready to start there out of spring training this season.
The Mariners are expected to be an active team this offseason in the trade market and in free agency after putting in Jerry Dipoto as general manager. The team already made a significant trade with the Rays headlined by Brad Miller and Nathan Karns that included prospect Boog Powell and now the team could be looking at a deal with the Yankees. The Yankees and Mariners have some trade history, as the teams made a deal with Dustin Ackley this past season and also made a deal with Jesus Montero and Michael Pineda.
The Mariners are ready to put Karns in the rotation right away and the team is also looking to bring back Hisashi Iwakuma, who is a free agent this winter. Iwakuma was extended a qualifying offer and that means the Mariners will get a draft pick if he signs with another team. Iwakuma is reportedly interested in returning to the Mariners and the Seattle Times reports that the team could offer him a two year deal.
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