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5 league-wide takeaways from the Dee Gordon trade

Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Under general manager Jerry "Dealin'" Dipoto, the Seattle Mariners have become synonymous with constant trades. However, most of Dipoto's moves have been varying degrees of marginal.

That is, until he acquired Dee Gordon on Thursday, which has league-wide ramifications. Not only does the fallout affect other teams, including the San Francisco Giants, but a notable free agent lost perhaps his most attractive potential suitor.

Let's look at how the Mariners' acquisition of Gordon from the Miami Marlins shakes up the league - and, of course, the teams directly involved - heading into the winter meetings.

Position transition an odd proposition

Gordon's never played center field at the professional level, but that's where the Mariners want to put him.

Dipoto is adamant the club's research indicates that Gordon's speed and athletic ability will translate well to the outfield, but there are no guarantees. If the experiment doesn't pan out, a team with Robinson Cano and Jean Segura already on the roster just hitched itself to another middle infielder. And asking Gordon to patrol an outfield that may also include the defensively challenged Nelson Cruz could represent a steeper learning curve.

Gordon's profile as a speedster does fit center field well, though, and maybe the transition will go just fine. After all, how hard can it be?

Cain's market shrinks

The biggest loser of the Gordon trade might be free-agent center fielder Lorenzo Cain, since the club that looked like the best fit for him no longer needs his services.

Cain is still arguably the best outfielder on the open market. His main competition is J.D. Martinez, whose defensive deficiencies mean he likely won't even be in a corner outfield position much longer. As the Giants look to contend next year, perhaps they'll find a way to add both Giancarlo Stanton and Cain, though it would take an enormous financial commitment.

Lots can change over the winter, but the list of potential contenders who need a center fielder is shrinking. At this point, the Texas Rangers could be Cain's best match.

Mariners now the Ohtani front-runner

It's well-documented that Shohei Ohtani isn't particularly concerned about money and wants to sign with the team that will best appreciate his two-way abilities. However, leading all the clubs courting him in international bonus pool money certainly can't hurt Seattle's chances of recruiting Ohtani.

Let's assume the pitcher-outfielder truly doesn't care if he signs for the $300,000 bonus the Padres, Giants, Dodgers, or Cubs can offer, or if he gets the nearly $4 million the Mariners can dish out. Seattle's still reshaped its roster in the matter of a week just to win him over. An A for effort.

Panik makes more sense for Marlins

The idea that the Marlins might acquire Joe Panik from the Giants was a head-scratcher for several reasons, not least of which was the fact Miami had Gordon.

Well, no longer. While it seemed like Stanton would be the first major piece the Marlins unloaded, Gordon's contract is off the books, and the rebuild has officially begun. Now, if they actually want Panik from the Giants, they have an open position for him. You know, without converting him to center field.

Dipoto's defined by this offseason

Finally, Dipoto's inextricably linked his Mariners legacy to this offseason, even if he doesn't sign Ohtani.

Previously, his most notable deals with the club involved trading Taijuan Walker for Segura - essentially a wash at this point - and shipping away Chris Taylor, who ironically turned out to be the exact type of player Seattle's marginal moves are designed to find.

But it's no small move for the Mariners to take on Gordon's $40-million salary. If Dipoto lands Ohtani and Seattle finally makes the postseason, all his tinkering will be vindicated (as will his decision to step down as Los Angeles Angels GM).

Alternatively, if the Gordon deal doesn't work out (perhaps because he can't convert gracefully to the outfield), the Mariners don't get Ohtani, and Seattle can't snag an American League wild-card spot, this trade could look like the beginning of the end for the executive.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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