If the Seattle Mariners truly want to squeeze more offense out of their current competitive window, they should pay attention to the subtle clue ESPN just dropped.
In a recent analysis of potential offseason trade candidates, Jake Cronenworth’s name appeared with an unmistakable implication: the Padres need to shed payroll, and moving his contract offers one of the simplest paths. San Diego is entering the offseason with three empty rotation spots behind Nick Pivetta and a recovering Joe Musgrove, and their financial flexibility is extremely limited. Meanwhile, Cronenworth is owed five years and sixty million dollars on an eight year, eighty million dollar extension, a reasonable mid tier commitment for a versatile former All Star who can play multiple infield positions.
Cronenworth is coming off a season in which he posted a career best .367 on base percentage. He is not a power hitter, but he consistently grinds out plate appearances, sprays line drives, and lengthens a lineup in exactly the way Seattle’s offense is missing. His defensive versatility at second, first, and even shortstop in an emergency only increases his value, giving Dan Wilson the freedom to adjust his lineup without sacrificing offense.
The financial side is crucial. Cronenworth’s yearly salary of 12.3 million dollars for the next five years is not insignificant for a team already carrying major commitments to Luis Castillo, Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, and Josh Naylor. But that is the appeal of a so called contract swap. If the Padres are intent on clearing salary and the Mariners are willing to reshuffle from their own stack of long term deals, both sides have room to find a creative solution.
A direct one for one swap involving Castillo is unlikely, since he remains a rotation anchor when he is performing well and is a major part of Seattle’s contention hopes. But the broader concept is sound: use long term salary commitments rather than prospects to pry open a window for acquiring an undervalued bat from a team in a financial corner.
Still, this should remain a backup plan. The primary goal for Seattle is straightforward: re sign Jorge Polanco. When healthy, he was an ideal fit and showed how much more dangerous the lineup becomes with a switch hitting on base presence in the middle.
If Polanco signs elsewhere, the Mariners cannot simply stand pat. With San Diego now signaling openness to moving Cronenworth, Seattle has a rare chance to add a proven, versatile on base producer from a club that suddenly needs the payroll room more than his bat.