As the 2025 MLB trade deadline looms this Thursday, July 31, the Seattle Mariners are ramping up their efforts to bolster their roster, particularly focusing on reinforcing their bullpen and adding key offensive pieces. Sitting at 56-50 and clinging to the last wild card spot in the American League, the Mariners are determined to make a strong playoff push, and their front office is leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of impactful acquisitions.
One of the most significant developments shaking up the trade market involves Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase. On Monday, July 28, Clase was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave amidst an ongoing Major League Baseball sports-betting investigation, as first reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan. Clase, a three-time All-Star and a dominant presence in the American League, now joins teammate Luis Ortiz as the second Guardians pitcher sidelined due to the probe.
Clase's leave is set through August 31, the same duration as Ortiz's, whose leave was extended during the All-Star break. This turn of events has complicated the Mariners' pursuit of high-end relievers. Clase, 27, was previously ranked No. 4 on The Athletic's trade big board and was considered a prime candidate for acquisition before the news broke. With a stellar 1.88 ERA over six major league seasons and three consecutive years leading the league in saves, Clase's club-friendly contract running through 2028 made him an ideal target.
Seattle Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto confirmed the club's aggressive stance on acquiring ace relievers to strengthen their bullpen, which currently holds a 3.78 ERA but lacks dominant late-inning arms. Dipoto expressed enthusiasm on MLB Network Radio, stating, "This is one of our favorite times of year. When we put ourselves in a good position, we’ve always been given the ability to go out and do the fun thing at the deadline." He referenced past successful deadline moves like acquiring Luis Castillo in 2022 and Randy Arozarena last year, emphasizing that the bullpen remains a focal point for this year's deadline maneuvers.
While Clase's sudden unavailability narrows the pool of elite relievers, the Mariners remain undeterred. The market for high-end bullpen arms has become scarcer, likely driving up the asking prices for remaining candidates such as Minnesota Twins right-handers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, and Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar. Duran, 27, boasts a 1.90 ERA and an electric fastball, making $4.125 million this season with two arbitration years remaining. Jax, 30, is an elite setup man earning $2.365 million, also with two arbitration years left. The Twins reportedly demand multiple top prospects for either pitcher, reflecting their value. Meanwhile, Bednar, 30, has been dominant, not allowing a run since May 23 and sporting a 2.19 ERA with a 34.5% strikeout rate. He is making $5.9 million this season and has one more arbitration year.
Additional bullpen options include Pirates right-hander Dennis Santana, who carries a 1.42 ERA and is seen as a more affordable target, along with several other relievers such as Minnesota's Danny Coulombe, Atlanta's Pierce Johnson, St. Louis's Phil Maton, and others. The Mariners’ deep farm system, featuring eight prospects ranked in Baseball America's Top 100 list, positions them well to compete for these premium arms.
On the offensive front, the Mariners have already made a splash by acquiring slugging first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks last week. Naylor, a free agent this winter, was obtained in exchange for two young pitchers, Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi, neither of whom were in Seattle’s top ten prospects. The Mariners are also reportedly interested in reuniting with third baseman Eugenio Suarez, a formidable bat who hit 53 home runs for Seattle from 2022 to 2023. However, the price to land Suarez is steep, with the Diamondbacks reportedly asking for a major-league ready player plus two prospects. This has caused some teams to pivot away from him, with the New York Yankees securing Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies instead.
According to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, the Mariners are shifting their trade deadline strategy to prioritize bullpen help with even greater urgency, despite still wanting to bring back Suarez. Jude notes that the Mariners’ bullpen features strong performers like Andrés Muñoz, Matt Brash, and Gabe Speier at the back end, but beyond them, there are question marks. Eduard Bazardo has been solid since early June, but sustainability is uncertain, and pitchers like Trent Thornton, Casey Legumina, and Carlos Vargas have struggled at times. The Mariners have also relied heavily on left-hander Speier as their primary southpaw, highlighting the need for additional left-handed relief pitching.
In the offensive realm, Seattle could also look to add flexibility and depth. One potential target is Ryan O’Hearn of the Baltimore Orioles. Though this remains speculative, O’Hearn’s ability to play first base, outfield, and designated hitter roles, combined with a solid .282/.375/.450 slash line, 12 home runs, and 39 RBIs this season, makes him an attractive candidate for a Mariners lineup seeking a boost. At 32 years old and on an expiring contract, O’Hearn could provide veteran presence and versatility as Seattle pushes for the postseason.
With the trade deadline set for 3 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET) on Thursday, the Mariners have only days to finalize their deals. The front office’s determination to improve the bullpen while also enhancing offensive options signals a clear intent to make a deep playoff run. As Dipoto put it, "We are dialed on the bullpen, and that makes us like just about everybody else who’s trying to get to the finish line. But the bullpen (pitchers) are, they are the late movers. Somewhere in the last day or two, and then maybe in the last hour or two, you’ll start to see some of the higher impact bullpen guys go off the board, and we will be as aggressive in that area of the market as just about anybody."
The Mariners' combination of a solid core, a deep prospect pool, and an aggressive front office approach sets the stage for a busy, high-stakes trade deadline. While the loss of Emmanuel Clase as a trade candidate is a setback, Seattle’s front office remains optimistic about securing the bullpen reinforcements and lineup upgrades necessary to solidify their playoff position. With the clock ticking, fans can expect a flurry of activity as the Mariners push to build a team capable of making noise in October.
