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To SEA: 1B/OF LaMonte Wade Jr., IF Marco Luciano, OF Dakota Jordan
The Seattle Mariners have been shopping veteran starter Luis Castillo this offseason in an attempt to find MLB-ready offensive help.
They balked at a package of Triston Casas and Masataka Yoshida in talks with the Red Sox, but Boston’s insistence that they take on Yoshida’s remaining contract was a sticking point in negotiations. The above-proposed trade package does not include a player of Casas’ caliber, but it’s also not the same financial drain.
With three years remaining on his contract, Castillo is more than just a hired gun, and he would fill the void left by the departure of Blake Snell in the co-ace role alongside Logan Webb.
In return, the Mariners get a talented offensive player who can help immediately in LaMonte Wade Jr., along with a pair of high-ceiling lottery tickets in Marco Luciano and Dakota Jordan.
Despite lacking prototypical power for a first baseman, Wade has still posted a 121 OPS+ in 920 plate appearances the last two years, logging a .376 on-base percentage along the way. The 31-year-old provides some versatility with the ability to play in the outfield, and while he is a free agent next winter, he would provide the immediate offensive boost the M’s need.
Luciano began each of the past five seasons as a Top 100 prospect, peaking at No. 12 on that list and spending three years in a top 20 spot, but his stock has dipped after he hit just .217/.286/.304 for a 69 OPS+ with 45 strikeouts in 126 plate appearances in the majors.
Still only 23 years old, he could benefit from a change of scenery and compete for the Mariners starting second base job during spring training.
Jordan, 21, hit .354/.459/.671 with 20 home runs and 72 RBI in 63 games at Mississippi State last spring before signing an above-slot deal as a fourth-round pick. A 3-star wide receiver recruit out of high school, his elite athleticism and 60-grade power give him an intriguing offensive ceiling, though his hit tool is still raw.
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