Why Jake Cronenworth Could Be the Mariners’ Sneaky Key to an Offensive Boost
If the Seattle Mariners are serious about turning their playoff push into something more than just a near-miss, they might want to pay close attention to a name that just popped up on the trade radar: Jake Cronenworth.
The Padres, facing a payroll crunch and a rotation with more questions than answers, are reportedly open to moving Cronenworth - and that should catch Seattle’s attention. San Diego is looking to shed salary, and Cronenworth’s contract, while not cheap, is one of the more movable deals on their books. He’s owed five years and $60 million on an eight-year, $80 million extension - a manageable figure for a player with All-Star credentials and positional versatility.
Why Cronenworth Makes Sense for Seattle
Let’s start with the bat. Cronenworth just wrapped up a season with a career-high .367 on-base percentage.
He’s not a power hitter in the traditional sense, but he’s the kind of player who gives pitchers headaches. He grinds out at-bats, finds gaps, and keeps the line moving - all things the Mariners could use more of in a lineup that’s shown flashes but still lacks consistency.
Seattle’s offense has leaned heavily on a few key bats, and when those bats go cold, the run production tends to crater. Cronenworth isn’t a superstar, but he’s the kind of glue guy who raises the floor.
He gets on base, works counts, and gives you professional at-bats every night. That’s not just valuable - it’s essential when you’re trying to win tight games in September.
Defensively, he checks a lot of boxes. Cronenworth can handle second base, first base, and even shortstop in a pinch.
That kind of versatility gives manager Dan Wilson the flexibility to mix and match lineups without sacrificing offense. It also provides insurance if injuries hit - and let’s be honest, they always do.
The Financial Fit
Now, the contract. $12.3 million a year through 2029 isn’t a small number, especially for a Mariners team already carrying big commitments. Luis Castillo is locked in, Julio Rodríguez’s deal is only getting more expensive, and extensions for Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor are already on the books.
But this is where smart front offices earn their keep. If the Padres are motivated sellers - and all signs suggest they are - Seattle could explore a creative swap that helps both teams.
Maybe it’s not a straight-up deal, but a financial puzzle where the Mariners take on Cronenworth’s salary in exchange for some relief elsewhere. These are the kinds of opportunities that don’t come around often: a quality, controllable bat available not because of talent, but because of dollars.
To be clear, this isn’t about flipping Luis Castillo. Even with some late-season inconsistency, Castillo remains a rotation anchor and one of the main reasons Seattle is even in the postseason conversation. But the broader concept is the right one: use financial flexibility - not just prospects - to acquire impact talent.
Still, Plan A Is Polanco
That said, Cronenworth shouldn’t be the Mariners’ first call. That honor still belongs to Jorge Polanco.
When healthy, Polanco was a seamless fit in this lineup - a switch-hitter with on-base skills, gap power, and a steady glove. He gave the Mariners exactly what they needed in the middle of the order, and bringing him back remains the cleanest way to keep this offense trending upward.
But if Polanco signs elsewhere? Seattle can’t afford to sit on its hands. The AL West isn’t waiting around, and the Mariners’ window - built around a strong rotation, a young core, and a fanbase hungry for October baseball - is open right now.
Jake Cronenworth may not be the flashiest name on the market, but he’s the kind of move that smart teams make. A proven on-base threat, a flexible defender, and a player whose contract might actually make him more available than his talent would suggest.
If the Padres are ready to deal, the Mariners should be ready to listen.