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Three Mariners the San Francisco Giants Should Consider Trading For

By Daniel Sperry

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: GM Jerry Dipoto of the Seattle Mariners looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on September 30, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: GM Jerry Dipoto of the Seattle Mariners looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on September 30, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco Giants
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 27: Marco Gonzales #32 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Texas Rangers in the first inning during their game at Safeco Field on September 27, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

RHP, Marco Gonzales

Marco Gonzales is intriguing purely based on his price point. He’s 26, has 5 full years of control, and in his first full season as a starter posted a 4.00 ERA in a hitter friendly ballpark and tough division.

Gonzales was a nice pitching prospect in St. Louis. Drafted in 2013, and made five starts in the following season for the big league Cardinals. He probably wasn’t fully developed and fast-tracked too quick. Gonzales had a rough first go with the Mariners in 2017, but really settled next year.

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Gonzales has a strong fastball changeup combo, but there isn’t a whole lot of velocity on Gonzales’ fast ball. His sinker ball is also a nice mix in along with a hard curve. Gonzales won’t exactly walk in and be an ace, and nobody should ever really expect him too.

But with time, he could become a really solid second or third option. Gonzales’ HR/9 was top 20 in baseball last year, so he doesn’t give up the long ball. With a good defense behind him, he just might fit well into AT&T park, which would limit the long ball damage.

What would it take to get Gonzales? If I were the Giants I’d try Tyler Beede, one of the Slater/Williamson crew, and maybe a low level prospect. Gonzales isn’t great, and his age/control is the most intriguing factor. But the Giants aren’t truly looking for a 2019 only solution. Gonzales can grow into the Giants rotation as they continue to get stronger.

Next. Should the Giants Target Michael Brantley?

Honorable mention trade ideas

Swapping Leake for Samardzija. Both could use a change of scenery, and both are on not too great contracts. You could likely get the Mariners to hang on to the Samardzija contract by tossing in a prospect. Or, thanks to the big mutual option in the Leake contract, that could be enough to warrant a straight swap.

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