The Seattle Mariners are reportedly shopping outfielder Seth Smith with an eye on freeing budget space for a starting pitcher, according to Jon Heyman. Smith was nearly traded to the Boston Red Sox prior to the Mitch Moreland signing, per Heyman:
Seth Smith is being shopped. Mariners want to free $ for a starting pitcher. SS nearly went to Boston before moreland deal.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2016
Smith has spent the past two seasons in the pacific northwest, where he's hit .248/.336/.429 (a 112 OPS+). He's a platoon player through and through -- his career OPS against lefties is .594 -- but he's a solid one who majors in getting on-base and providing some pop versus righties. Smith has experience in each outfield corner.
The market for Smith -- set to make $7 million in the final year of his deal -- is unclear, but there's never a shortage of contenders who can use another most-days starter. Consider that the Toronto Blue Jays are chasing Jay Bruce, who'll make more money than Smith in 2017 despite being the less-productive player the past few seasons. The Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals figure to place calls, too.
The Mariners, by the way, need the rotation help -- especially after trading Taijuan Walker in the Jean Segura trade. Given the paucity of quality free-agent starters, it's possible that Jerry Dipoto's trading won't be finished -- not even after a potential Smith deal.
