Mariners linked to 'one big trade' for two Mets veterans that would be a terrible idea

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The Seattle Mariners are trying to win the AL West and make a push for the World Series in 2026. This team has great potential, but they could use a bit more help at the 2026 MLB trade deadline.

While there are some needs on the team, two stick out as the ones the Mariners should address this summer: a high-leverage reliever and a right-handed hitter.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic identified those two as the Mariners' biggest needs, but also linked them to a trade idea with the New York Mets involving veterans Jorge Polanco and Huascar Brazoban that would be a terrible idea for Seattle this summer.

Mariners linked to terrible trade idea with Mets

"Best fit: Jorge Polanco, DH/1B, and Huascar Brazoban, RHP, New York Mets," Bowden writes. "Securing a reunion with Polanco, who is currently on rehab assignment with the Mets, and acquiring right-handed reliever Huascar Brazoban in one big trade would be a strong move for Seattle."

Bowden also noted how such a large deal, plus promoting Kade Anderson to the Major Leagues, could "best the final pieces for the Mariners to secure the AL West."

Starting with the least offensive part of this potential deal, Brazoban is a 36-year-old reliever who has a 3.00 ERA this season with the Mets in 36 games with 39 strikeouts and a 140 ERA+ in 42 innings pitched.

Adding him to the bullpen wouldn't be such a terrible idea, especially since he's under club control through the 2029 season, and might not cost much in a trade with the Mets.

The issue with this "one big trade" idea from Bowden is the inclusion of Polanco. The Mariners let him walk in free agency, and he signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Mets. That's been a total disaster.

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He has missed most of the 2026 season so far, playing in just 14 games since signing that mammoth deal. In those 14 games, he has -0.3 bWAR with a .179 batting average and a .532 OPS with a 48 OPS+.

While he was great last year, hitting .265 with a 133 OPS+ and an .821 OPS during the regular season for Seattle with 26 homers to go with three more home runs in the postseason with a .686 OPS, Polanco isn't the player he was a year ago.

Trading for Brazoban on his own wouldn't be a terrible decision, but adding Polanco to the mix for "one big trade" as Bowden proposed would be a terrible decision.

The Mariners should have zero interest in taking on the $40 million contract of Polanco. Even though the Mariners need a right-handed hitter, it should not be Polanco. He would be a terrible addition, almost regardless of the cost.