Report: Rival teams expect Mariners to move Seager
The Seattle Mariners appear to be in an offseason of transition, and the roster overhaul may not be finished. Evaluators from rival teams expect general manager Jerry Dipoto will do whatever it takes to trade third baseman Kyle Seager in an attempt to re-stock a flailing farm system, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.
After unloading second baseman Robinson Cano onto the New York Mets, Seager is the Mariners' most expensive position player left on the roster, according to Cot's Contracts. Set to earn $19 million in 2019, Seager is owed $56 million through 2021 with an additional $15 million attached to a club option in 2022.
Seager, 31, established himself as a reliable left-handed bat early in the decade, but is coming off his worst offensive season where he hit .221/.273/.400 with a career-worst 84 wRC+. His 22 home runs were the fewest he's hit since 2013.
Working in his favor is his durability. Since his first full season in 2012, he's played at least 154 games in seven straight years.
If the Mariners find a taker for the former All-Star, he will join Cano, closer Edwin Diaz, catcher Mike Zunino, reliever Alex Colome, outfielder Guillermo Heredia, and ace left-hander James Paxton as key 2018 contributors to depart via trade during the offseason, and that doesn't account for designated hitter Nelson Cruz leaving through free agency.
In addition to Seager, the Mariners could also trade shortstop Jean Segura who has drawn interest from multiple clubs.