The MLB calendar has flipped to July, which means trade deadline season is officially underway. As the summer heats up, playoff contenders are looking to bolster their rosters ahead of the July 31st deadline, while teams out of the race are preparing to trade away valuable players for future assets.
The Seattle Mariners find themselves in an interesting spot. At 44-40, they’re six games behind the Houston Astros but still firmly in the American League Wild Card mix.
Cal Raleigh has been on a tear, already hitting 33 home runs before the All-Star break, and the team boasts a strong starting rotation. Given that, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Seattle take an aggressive approach at the deadline.
Baltimore Orioles Likely to be Sellers
The Baltimore Orioles are expected to be sellers this season following a disastrous 2025 campaign. Despite their struggles, they still have players that other teams will be interested in—most notably left-handed hitters Cedric Mullins and first baseman Ryan O’Hearn.
In a recent article featuring trade predictions, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter suggested the Orioles could deal O’Hearn to the Seattle Mariners in a major trade. In return, Baltimore would receive a couple of Seattle’s top prospects. Reuter explained the rationale behind the proposal:
“O’Hearn was a productive platoon bat in both 2023 (368 plate appearances, 122 OPS+, 14 home runs, 60 RBI) and 2024 (494 plate appearances, 120 OPS+, 15 home runs, 59 RBI). This season, he’s arguably been Baltimore’s most reliable hitter, slashing .293/.380/.473 with a 144 OPS+, along with 10 doubles, 11 home runs, and 30 RBI. In addition to his offensive value, O’Hearn offers defensive flexibility by playing first base and both corner outfield positions—fitting exactly what the Mariners need to strengthen their lineup.”
Reuter Believes Seattle’s Farm System Plays a Big Factor
In the Bleacher Report article, Reuter highlights the strength of the Seattle Mariners’ farm system as a key reason why a trade could happen.
“The Mariners boast one of the most talent-rich farm systems in the league. Although acquiring O’Hearn as a two-month rental likely wouldn’t require giving up a top-100 prospect, Seattle would still need to offer quality assets to outmatch other interested teams.
One possible trade piece is right-hander Teddy McGraw, a third-round pick in the 2023 draft who was rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery at the time. When healthy, his stuff is electric—he’s posted a 2.87 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts across 15.2 innings in his return this season.”
Seattle Has a Lot to Play For
The Seattle Mariners are aiming to be legitimate contenders this season. Once again, they’re benefiting from one of the best performances in the league by a catcher in Cal Raleigh. The main area where the team is falling short is in offensive production from the infield. However, with Ryan O’Hearn’s recent surge in power, he could be a valuable boost to the Mariners’ hopes for a strong 2025 campaign.
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