The Seattle Mariners have emerged as one of the top teams in baseball this season, earning a spot in the Championship Series as one of the final four clubs standing. Their roster, built through a combination of smart drafting, development, and savvy trades, is among the most well-rounded in the league.
At the trade deadline, the Mariners made aggressive moves to bolster their offense, acquiring sluggers Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez in separate deals with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both players have played pivotal roles in Seattle’s postseason run, providing much-needed power in the lineup. However, with both set to hit free agency at season’s end, the Mariners could be facing some tough decisions this offseason.
If the Mariners want to stay in contention for American League pennants and make serious runs at a World Series title in the coming years, they’ll need to be aggressive this offseason—particularly in free agency. But adding talent through trades could also be a key part of their strategy.
In fact, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller recently floated the idea of Seattle making a blockbuster trade for St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar. While Nootbaar has had an up-and-down season, his potential as a versatile, left-handed bat with solid on-base skills could make him an intriguing buy-low target for a team like the Mariners looking to strengthen its outfield depth and offensive consistency.
“The Victor Robles who hit .328 and stole 30 bases in 77 games played in 2024 never even remotely showed up in 2025, and Randy Arozarena only has one year left before reaching free agency,” Miller wrote. “Seattle did have Dominic Canzone break out this season and could have top prospect Lazaro Montes ready to roll by the time Arozarena leaves. But trading for a corner outfielder while trying to re-sign corner infielders Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez may be the initial offseason plan.”
Lars Nootbaar’s struggles in 2024 could open the door for the Cardinals to move on from him as they look to fully commit to a rebuild. With team control still remaining, Nootbaar could net St. Louis some valuable prospects—something they’ll need if they’re serious about retooling for the future.
For the Mariners, this presents a logical opportunity. With multiple players heading to free agency and uncertainty around when (or if) their top outfield prospects will be ready to contribute at the MLB level, Seattle is facing some real gaps on the roster. Adding a player like Nootbaar—who still has upside, defensive versatility, and a solid track record prior to 2024—could be a smart, low-risk move. If the Mariners are looking for creative ways to retool without overcommitting financially, a trade for Nootbaar makes a lot of sense.
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