An explosive NY Mets-Mariners trade we’d love to see (but probably won’t)

One of the more fascinating MLB rumors to come out was the willingness of the Seattle Mariners to trade Emerson Hancock. The sixth overall pick from 2020 is having a career year. He is 6-4 with a 3.19 ERA in 19 starts. Just seeing a pitcher like this become available is worth a phone call from the New York Mets if for no other reason than to see how things are going in Jerry Dipoto’s personal life. How are the kids, Jerry?

The Mariners aren’t trading Hancock for anything more than baseball reasons. They have too many starting pitchers (that’s possible?) and need more offense. The idea is they would swap Hancock for, specifically, a right-handed bat of some kind.

The Mets don’t align perfectly with the Mariners for a simple one-for-one trade. However, there are some messy propositions Dipoto and David Stearns could work out for both clubs to benefit. Let’s get explosive with the information we have.

Why this trade makes sense with the players involved

First, let’s understand what the Mariners need more than anything. It’s a third baseman. Super utility man Brenandon Donovan has been hurt for most of the year. A left-handed hitter already on a roster full of them, this trade with the Mariners gives them three immediate third base options. Well, sort of…

Third base isn’t the natural position for any of the players they’re receiving. However, Bo Bichette has shown this year he is capable of playing the position well. It wouldn’t be outrageous for Seattle to move him to shortstop either.

Laughably, Mark Vientos is the one with the most third base experience and he might just be the worst at playing the position. If offense is the goal, you overlook that. Plus, with his ability to hit left-handed pitching well, an .855 OPS this season and 6 home runs, he seems like a destined match.

The Mariners get Ronny Mauricio as well. He doesn’t really have much of a purpose with the Mets. Although his role would be limited with the Mariners, they at least get some youngish talent. If that’s not appealing enough, Nick Morabito is a prospect to include instead. Frankly, the Mets don't have much young talent to throw in here to get the Mariners to budge. The goal is to also give bodies that may be able to help in 2026.

No assessment should be needed to pitch to Mets fans why acquiring Hancock is a good idea. We need arms for next year's rotation and with his cheap contract, control, and success this season, Hancock helps the Mets improve immediately.

Why this trade will be difficult to make

This trade isn’t as easy as hitting the “submit” button. Bichette needs to waive his no trade clause. The Mariners need to accept his contract or the Mets need to pay down a position of it. The complications of Bichette’s opt-out and unknown of whether he will be in or out next year complicates things further. The Mariners don’t have an endless budget.

Bichette’s availability and movability can throw a curveball into the entire trade deadline equation. He’s not having a huge year and yet the track record speaks for itself. Anyone who did add him is getting a proven player less than a year removed from an iconic World Series home run.

A few too many hurdles to leap over, this trade is stopped dead over non-on-field reasons. It doesn’t mean the Mets and Mariners can’t line up for something else. In addition to the names mentioned above, we have Luis Robert Jr. (not a great fit for them) and even switch hitter Jorge Polanco to sell back. Unfortunately, those players shouldn’t spark as much interest as Bichette to have them give up Hancock.

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