Listing the potential trade partners for the Mariners' top 10 assets

Coming off of a disappointing 2018 season where the Seattle Mariners extended their horrendous 17-year playoff drought with an 89-win season, news surfaced Tuesday about a potential fire sale the team is preparing to embark upon.

Let's take a look at the top assets they could deal, what they could possibly get in return, and all the suitors that should be involved.

James Paxton

Best fits: Yankees, Brewers, Braves, Phillies, Nationals, Cardinals

Remaining contract: 2 years of arbitration

Paxton is so good and so affordable that 29 teams should at least contact Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto to find out the asking price.

It will be interesting to see what the 30-year-old southpaw could command on the trade market. Despite his injury trouble - averaging under 140 innings over the past three seasons - he's among the most dominant in the league when on the hill. A package from the Yankees centered around outfielder Clint Frazier and pitching prospect Chance Adams seems realistic, though Seattle could get even more with both of their stocks plummeting in recent months.

That being said, the aforementioned six teams are the most likely suitors given their need for pitching, their stated interest in the market, and the prospect capital to make it work.

Edwin Diaz

Best fits: Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, Cubs, Phillies, Giants, Rays

Remaining contract: Eligible for arbitration through 2022

With the caveat that Diaz is one of the players the Mariners want to retain if they do indeed do a full rebuild, it would probably make sense to at least entertain offers for the flamethrowing closer. Relievers are always at a premium, and the 24-year-old right-hander is fresh off of a 57-save campaign - one he is likely not to replicate regardless of his noted prowess. Given his four years of remaining team control, the return would be extremely tempting.

Kyle Seager

Best fits: Mets, Braves, Phillies, Brewers, Indians, Angels

Remaining contract: 3 years, $57.5M ($15M team option for 2022)

Despite the fact he is coming off of the worst season of his career by OPS, Seager is still a valuable defender, and some team may take a chance on him recapturing his 2016 brilliance at the plate. Given his contract status, and the fact he would be competing with free-agent Josh Donaldson for a job, a low-level prospect or two might lure him from Seattle.

Felix Hernandez

Best fits: Dodgers, Yankees, Brewers, Braves, Nationals

Remaining contract: 1 year, $27.9M

The lifelong Mariner is beginning to decline. Over this past two seasons, King Felix owns a 5.13 ERA over 44 starts, even moving briefly to the bullpen last year. While picturing him in another uniform is somewhat distressing, it might be best for Dipoto to clear his team-leading 2019 salary from the books. It could be difficult for a team to consider taking on such a burdensome one-year deal. However, Justin Verlander recently showed he could be resurgent by joining a contender, and was owed nearly three times what Felix is.

Mike Zunino

Best fits: Red Sox, Rays, Mets, Nationals, Dodgers, Braves, Athletics, Angels

Remaining contract: 2 years of arbitration

Zunino is an intriguing asset for multiple reasons. In 2017, he was one of the most valuable catchers in all of baseball at and behind the dish. In 2018, however, his 20 homers came with a pretty pedestrian .259 on-base percentage. He's still eligible for arbitration, but the availability of J.T. Realmuto and the wooing of free agents Yasmani Grandal and Wilson Ramos could take precedent for some clubs. A team looking to spend less could do worse than acquiring the 27-year-old as a consolation, though.

Jean Segura

Best fits: Phillies, Yankees, Cubs, Mets, Reds, Twins, White Sox

Remaining contract: 4 years, $59.4M ($17M team option for 2023)

The 28-year-old Segura has been an impressive asset for the Mariners since being acquired from the Diamondbacks for Taijuan Walker. Among qualified shortstops, only Xander Bogaerts and Francisco Lindor have posted better on-base percentages since the beginning of 2017. If the Phillies miss out on Manny Machado, this makes a lot of sense. Otherwise, the other suitors on the list all have at least something holding them back.

Dee Gordon

Best fits: Rockies, Indians, Pirates, Diamondbacks, Rays, Athletics

Remaining contract: 2 years, $27.1M ($14M vesting option for 2021)

Despite being an elite baserunner, Gordon has never recaptured to his 2015 brilliance when he hit 16 percent better than the league average by wRC+. Coming off of a season where he authored a .637 OPS, the 30-year-old could be viewed as a player without a position after starting the season in the outfield and converting back to second base. Gordon was good defensively after returning to his natural position, making him a competitor of free agents Jed Lowrie, Daniel Murphy, DJ LeMahieu, and Brian Dozier this winter. If they can broker an inter-divisional deal, the Athletics might make some sense here.

Alex Colome

Best fits: Braves, Yankees, Cubs, Phillies, Mets, Indians, Dodgers, Rockies

Remaining contract: 2 years of arbitration

Acquired midseason from the Rays to presumably help with Seattle's postseason push, Colome quickly found himself out of a pennant race as a result of the trade. The Mariners wound up fading substantially down the stretch, while Tampa Bay surged to 90 wins. None of that is Colome's fault, of course, and the 29-year-old has closing experience, notching 96 saves since the beginning of 2016. A team that misses out on Craig Kimbrel, Adam Ottavino, or Jeurys Familia could potentially pursue Colome as a setup man.

Ben Gamel

Best fits: Braves, Indians, Giants, Rockies, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Orioles

Remaining contract: Eligible for arbitration through 2022

He may not be a big name, but with the Mariners reportedly wanting to retain Mitch Haniger, Gamel is the best outfielder they have to offer, and is probably better than most free agents at his position as well. While he doesn't flaunt almost any pop, and isn't a great defensive outfielder, Gamel's on-base numbers provide more than enough value, particularly against right-handers. The 26-year-old certainly shouldn't be as coveted as Bryce Harper, but he should be similarly valued with Carlos Gonzalez and Nick Markakis.

Juan Nicasio

Best fits: Yankees, Brewers, Angels, Phillies, Braves, Athletics, Dodgers, Mets

Remaining contract: 1 year, $9.25M

This last one could have been either Nicasio or Mike Leake, both of whom the Mariners would likely want to move. The fact that Leake is still due $36 million complicates his market, whereas Nicasio only has one year remaining and still showed an ability to miss bats despite owning a horrendous 6.00 ERA. The 32-year-old's 2.99 FIP last season will likely entice some team to give up a low-level prospect as a late-inning relief piece.