Building a Mariners trade proposal for Tanner Scott

[Kevin Barral]

Seattle could form a super bullpen with Scott's help and expand the deal to include a veteran bat as well.

Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix has already executed two major trades in the days leading up to the MLB trade deadline. His work isn't done yet. Tanner Scott is currently the top rental reliever on the market and reportedly has drawn interest from a wide variety of contending teams. One of the best relievers in Marlins history, if not the very best, Scott is thriving as Miami's closer this season. Entering Sunday, he has posted a 1.18 ERA, 3.23 FIP, 10.45 K/9 and 5.32 BB/9 with 18 saves through 45 ⅔ innings pitched.

The Seattle Mariners are one of Scott's suitors, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The Mariners are battling to win their first AL West division title since 2001, so they're willing to trade prospects if it helps them contend now. Let's explore what a trade could look like from both sides.

 

How Scott fits in Seattle

Scott doesn't necessarily have to be the closer for the Mariners. In 2023, most of his appearances came prior to the ninth inning and he added a lot of value that way. Marlins manager Skip Schumaker would use Scott in the highest-leverage situations, moments that would make-or-break a game. That is exactly what the Mariners can do with Scott while still letting Andrés Muñoz finish games.

The Mariners have already acquired an effective rental reliever in Yimi García. That takes away some of the desperation on their end, but adding Scott as well would make their bullpen arguably the top one in the majors.

 

How Josh Bell fits in Seattle

The Mariners have even more urgency to upgrade their lineup. They've scored the third-fewest runs among MLB teams this season. Josh Bell would give them some much-needed help at first base following the release of Ty France. Since France’s departure, Seattle has been treading water with a platoon of Tyler Locklear and Jason Vosler, both of whom have been below average in their short stints.

Bell has been on a heater since returning from the All-Star break with an astounding 1.274 OPS entering Sunday. He has hit a home run in four straight games. At least in a part-time role, Bell could round out their lineup with some pop and clutch hits, just like he did for Miami a year ago.

With that being said, Bell has struggled throughout most of the 2024 season, posting a .699 OPS and costing the Marlins runs with his defense. He's earning a $16.5M salary, which makes him a negative asset. To get any value in return for the veteran switch-hitter, the Marlins must be willing to pay him to play elsewhere.

 

Trade Proposal

• Seattle Mariners receive: 1B/DH Josh Bell, LHP Tanner Scott and approx. $5.5M cash (Bell's remaining salary)
• Miami Marlins receive: SS/OF Tai Peete, RHP Teddy McGraw and 2B Ryan Bliss

Peete (FanGraphs #6 Mariners prospect) was selected with the 30th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft. The Georgia product enjoyed a solid debut season between rookie ball and Low-A, slashing .239/.349/.404 with seven extra-base hits in 24 games played. The soon-to-be 19-year-old is heralded as quite dynamic. Baseball America is high on Peete’s power (55), run (60) and arm (60), and on the fence about his hit (40) and field (45).

In his first full season of pro ball, once again in Low-A, Peete has been steady with a slash line of .273/.350/.396 with 16 doubles, 6 triples and four homers (half of those homers just came on Saturday). Defensively, Baseball America doesn’t believe Peete can stick at the premier position and instead predicts a future in the outfield. “Peete is a plus runner with the athleticism to play multiple positions, but he needs polish. He sits back on his heels in the infield and his footwork is poor on routine ground balls. He is better at making plays on the move and will likely end up in the outfield, where he can roam with his athleticism and long strides.”

The Marlins would be buying low on McGraw. Due to his second Tommy John surgery, he's yet to throw a pitch in pro ball, but fits the mold of what the Marlins look for in a pitcher: plus fastball and slider with a changeup that needs some work. Among Seattle farmhands, he is currently rated the 19th prospect on Baseball America, 12th on FanGraphs and 11th on MLB Pipeline.

The Wake Forest product had a concerning 13.9% career walk rate in college, but comes with significant upside. Frankie Piliere, who now serves as Miami's director of amateur scouting, was part of the scouting department that picked both McGraw and Peete.

Bliss, taken in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft, saw some time in the majors this season. He posted an 89 wRC+ in 31 games while manning second base for the Mariners. In AAA this season, he's slashing .255/.389/.464/.853 with eight home runs, 39 RBIs and a 114 wRC+.

The biggest tool that Bliss holds is his speed. Currently rated a 60 grade runner by Baseball America, he's stolen 30+ bases three times in his pro career thus far and will be able to do it with ease at the major league level if used as an everyday player. His speed allows him as well to be an average defender, potentially contributing at shortstop when needed. Recently, the Mariners have had Bliss try out new positions to expand his versatility, making his first minor league start at third base and then playing the outfield as well.

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[Russell]

If I’m the Mariners I would absolutely do this but the Marlins? Marlins should demand getting back either of the Harry Ford, Cole Young or Colt Emerson trio and if the Mariners balk I hang up and immediately dial up the Yankees & Orioles.

Scott is a huge chip right now that Bendix has to play and cash in just right, must grab whoever he thinks is the highest ceiling impact bat. And if that’s Peete then OK so be it.