With the MLB Trade Deadline in the rear view mirror, reports about the Seattle Mariners activity now surface and they apparently looked at Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto. Neto was a hot commodity among contending teams at the MLB Trade Deadline; however, the Angels decided to keep him on their roster. The Mariners viewed him as a long term option knowing that J.P. Crawford enters free agency after the 2026 season. In such a move, Colt Emerson would move to third base.
However, the indication is that the two teams failed to really exchange information. Seattle Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has traded with every organization in the MLB besides the Los Angeles Angels. He was their general manager from 2011 to 2015 before coming to Seattle later that year.
Despite the lack of a trade, the Seattle Mariners reported interest in Neto shows the organization’s desire to improve the lineup. While Crawford is one of the teams clubhouse leaders, it seems unlikely he will return to the team in 2027. Crawford still offers some decent on-base ability, but his total output, offensively and defensively, has declined sharply.
Neto currently bats .230/.317/.426 with 20 home runs and 14 stolen bases. Defensively, he hovers around the league average at short stop.
Seattle Mariners Wanted to Trade for Zach Neto at the MLB Trade Deadline
Neto has been a thorn against the side of the Seattle Mariners with the Los Angeles Angels.
Although the Mariners sought to acquire Neto, it seems the talks barely even got off the ground at all. Whether that is a reluctance to deal with Seattle or lack of interest in specific players remains to be seem. That being said, it does paint a picture of how the organization wanted to improve their roster. A Neto trade would have been an aggressive move given where the Mariners are at, and they probably would have had to include a starting pitcher.
The report from The Athletic also says that the Mariners trade talks with George Kirby and Emerson Hancock barely got going. That tracks with what occurred at the deadline with the Mariners sending Luis Castillo to the Chicago White Sox in a cash dump. A Kirby or Hancock trade would have required a significant haul coming for the Seattle Mariners.
What This Says About the Mariners Moving Forward?
While Kirby was not moved at the MLB Trade Deadline, a trade still seems possible with the looming promotions of Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan.
Moving forward, the Mariners may still deal one of the their starting pitchers in the 2027 offseason to improve the battling lineup. With Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan imminently approaching the major league level, the Seattle Mariners have some tough decisions to make in the coming seasons. Whoever they decide to acquire with their high level starting pitchers will impact the organization greatly. Its clear that the Mariners do not take these decisions lightly, which explains why nothing was close at the MLB Trade Deadline involving Kirby or Hancock. Whatever happens the rest of 2026, the Mariners have some significant decisions coming this next offseason. They could be some of the defining moves of the Dipoto era in Seattle.
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