The Seattle Mariners are looking to trade Mark Trumbo this offseason and teams like the Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies are reportedly interested. The Mariners have reportedly been looking at free agent Nori Aoki, while Jason Heyward also could be an option along with Hisashi Iwakuma returning.
UPDATE: Mark Trumbo has been traded to the Orioles. Check here for more.
The Mariners are coming off of a disappointing season, but new general manager Jerry Dipoto has been aggressive this offseason in making trades and now he could make another one. The Mariners have already pulled off multiple deals and now reports have the team trying to trade Trumbo before the tender deadline on Wednesday. According to Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports, the Rockies have shown interest in Trumbo and there are other teams that could be interested as well.
Jon Heyman at CBS Sports reports that the Baltimore Orioles are also interested in Trumbo, as the team is looking for "a first baseman, a DH and an outfielder or two." Trumbo can play the outfield and is also an option art first base. Heyman writes that the Orioles have been talking with free agent Chris Davis about returning, but there is chance that Davis will leave for a bigger contract than what Baltimore is willing to offer.
Heyman reports that Trumbo is expected to get about $9 million for next season in arbitration and that could be a more affordable option for the Orioles over Davis. Heyman adds that the Mariners may want to deal Trumbo to save some money to sign back Hisashi Iwakuma, who was extended a qualifying offer and would net the Mariners a draft pick if he signs elsewhere. Trumbo has power and he hit 22 home runs last season for the Diamondbacks and Mariners. The Orioles may look at Trumbo as a potential replacement option if they lose Davis in free agency.
The Mariners have been revamping the roster this offseason and the team has already added Nathan Karns, Boog Powell and Leonys Martin in deals. According to the News Tribune, the Mariners are also looking at free agent outfield Nori Aoki. Industry sources report to Bob Dutton that the Mariners have "real interest" in Aoki and that he "fits" the profile of what Dipoto wants to do in the outfield. Aoki ended last season on the disabled list for the Giants after getting injured.
The Mariners previously were reportedly interested in a trade for outfielder Marcell Ozuna, but Dutton reports those talks have slowed with the Marlins looking to get Taijuan Walker in the deal. The Mariners have been pretty consistent the past year or two that Walker is off limits for trades. The Mariners are interested in bringing Iwakuma back, while Baseball Essential writes that Jason Heyward also could be a target for the team.
