The Seattle Mariners are standing on the edge of something big-and they know it.
Fresh off a run that took them all the way to Game 7 of the ALCS, Seattle enters the offseason with a golden opportunity. They've got momentum, a deep farm system, and a front office that isn’t afraid to pull the trigger on bold moves. If there’s a time to push the chips in, it’s now.
According to MLB.com, the Mariners are the team most likely to deal from the top of their prospect pool in a major trade. And when you look at what they’re working with, it’s easy to see why.
Eight players from their system are ranked in MLB’s Top 100. That’s not just depth-that’s ammunition.
Seattle’s front office, led by President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto, has already shown a willingness to be aggressive. He moved six of the team’s Top 30 prospects at the trade deadline, yet managed to hang onto the cream of the crop. That leaves the door wide open for another significant move-one that could bring in a difference-maker for 2026.
Among the names floated as potential trade chips: Kade Anderson (No. 2 in the Mariners’ system, No. 23 overall), Jurrangelo Cijntje (No. 8 / No.
90), Michael Arroyo (No. 6 / No. 63), and Harry Ford (No.
4 / No. 42).
Let’s unpack that a bit.
Anderson is a recent draft pick with high-end stuff and big-league starter potential. It’s always tough to part with a pitcher that projects as a front-line arm, especially so early in their development. But that’s also what makes him so valuable in trade talks-teams love controllable, high-upside arms.
Cijntje, meanwhile, is a fan favorite for good reason. A switch-pitcher-yes, he throws with both arms-he’s not just a novelty act.
He’s a legitimate prospect and nearly ready for The Show. That kind of versatility and timeline could be especially appealing to rebuilding teams looking for near-term help.
Then there’s Arroyo, a smooth-fielding middle infielder with offensive upside, and Ford, a dynamic catcher who’s already touched the majors. Ford’s in a bit of a logjam behind the plate in Seattle, which could make him more expendable than his talent would suggest. He brings speed, pop, and a strong arm-a rare blend for a catcher.
These are the kinds of players that make general managers hesitate. They’re loaded with potential, and in a few years, you could be watching them shine on highlight reels.
But that’s the nature of trading prospects: it’s all projection. You’re betting on what they could become-not what they’ve done.
And for a team like the Mariners, who are this close to breaking through, the calculus starts to shift. Trading unproven talent for a proven MLB contributor-especially one who fills a clear need-can be the move that pushes a good team into great territory.
Seattle’s front office has never been shy. If the right opportunity presents itself, don’t be surprised if they strike early. With the kind of assets they have in hand, the Mariners are in a position to make a splash-and maybe finally take that next step toward a World Series berth.