How is the team going to get more right handed?

[Seattle or Bust]

1B: Naylor - lefty
2B: Young - lefty
SS: Emerson - lefty
3B: Donovan - lefty
RF: Canzone - lefty
CF: Julio - righty
LF: Laz - lefty
C: Cal - switch
DH: Raley - lefty

Donovan is not a true Third baseman and I also don't know that I Like the idea of just turning over the Keys at SS to Emerson at this point. They should add a right hander on that side of the infield. Emerson can take the other spot with Donovan as a fall back working as a super utility player. I'd Also look at adding a legitimate Right Handed Outfielder to work into the rotation with Laz, Raley and Canzone.

I can assure you I've explored a lot of the avenues here.

If there were a quality right-handed bad to add at SS or 3B I'd be on it. Right-handed hitting was a mess in '26... especially among infielders. Only 31 qualified right-handed hitters hit above a 100 wRC+. I doubt many others will be available via trade. Isaac Parades possibly? But he's on the Astros... so...

Otto Lopez? Maybe I guess.

[D-train]

If I had my pick (and what I believe the M's would actually do given $$ and history)

Trade George Kirby + Michael Arroyo to the Braves for Ronald Acuna Jr.

The Braves have had 11 "starters" start games for them this year. Both Martin Perez and Tyler Mahle are free agents at year's end. Chris Sale will be 38 next year. And some of their young pitchers like Strider, Ritchie, and Schawver can't stay healthy/have performed quite poorly. They could use a starter for the next couple years. Arroyo could start for them in the OF in place of Acuna and gives them a young, talented piece there. The M's adding Acuna is obvious. Fits their window of contention and need for a RH bat.

Sign RHP Kaima Taira from the NPB

Can start which gives the M's insurance while they wait for Ryan Sloan. Also works in relief and throws 100 mph. M's need a high-leverage BP arm and he would fit well. They've also been sending scouts to see him.

Sign Isaiah Kiner-Falefa as the utility IF

Is he amazing? No. But the M's accumulated almost -4 WAR at 3B and SS this past year. Most of that due to failed bench players. Falefa is a defense-first player who accumulated 1.4 WAR in just 61 games. That's some value for a bench player.

Sign Ramon Laureano as a 4th OF.

Laureano is one season removed from a 3.8 WAR year but struggled this year due to injuries. He hits both dexterities well and plays solid defense.

[Seattle or Bust]

If I had my pick (and what I believe the M's would actually do given $$ and history)

Trade George Kirby + Michael Arroyo to the Braves for Ronald Acuna Jr.

The Braves have had 11 "starters" start games for them this year. Both Martin Perez and Tyler Mahle are free agents at year's end. Chris Sale will be 38 next year. And some of their young pitchers like Strider, Ritchie, and Schawver can't stay healthy/have performed quite poorly. They could use a starter for the next couple years. Arroyo could start for them in the OF in place of Acuna and gives them a young, talented piece there. The M's adding Acuna is obvious. Fits their window of contention and need for a RH bat.

Sign RHP Kaima Taira from the NPB

Can start which gives the M's insurance while they wait for Ryan Sloan. Also works in relief and throws 100 mph. M's need a high-leverage BP arm and he would fit well. They've also been sending scouts to see him.

Sign Isaiah Kiner-Falefa as the utility IF

Is he amazing? No. But the M's accumulated almost -4 WAR at 3B and SS this past year. Most of that due to failed bench players. Falefa is a defense-first player who accumulated 1.4 WAR in just 61 games. That's some value for a bench player.

Sign Ramon Laureano as a 4th OF.

Laureano is one season removed from a 3.8 WAR year but struggled this year due to injuries. He hits both dexterities well and plays solid defense.

Screenshot 2026-09-22 115448.png

Clearly that Acuna value is inaccurate lol. Trust me, I saw the value before I posted the trade.

Value is down because he's had some injury history. But the Braves aren't trading him for that. We all know it.

[D-train]

Yeah I was shocked but maybe straight up for Kirby?

[GL_Storm]

They would probably want Sloan for Acuna.

[harmony]

I think that our best bets at a right-handed pickup would be Suzuki, Alonso (who might opt out) and the guy I really want, Teruaki Sato. Third baseman/outfielder in his age-27 season who hit 35 home runs and put up a .997 OPS this season in Japan. Of course his name probably hasn't even come up in the Mariner front office though.

FWIW Teruaki Sato hits from the left side:

https://npb.jp/bis/eng/players/41045153.html

[GL_Storm]

I think that our best bets at a right-handed pickup would be Suzuki, Alonso (who might opt out) and the guy I really want, Teruaki Sato. Third baseman/outfielder in his age-27 season who hit 35 home runs and put up a .997 OPS this season in Japan. Of course his name probably hasn't even come up in the Mariner front office though.

FWIW Teruaki Sato hits from the left side:

https://npb.jp/bis/eng/players/41045153.html

Is Sato posting this year? I wonder how the lockout will impact the posting process.

[AZOldDawg]

Yeah I was shocked but maybe straight up for Kirby?

I really like your De La Cruz idea but don’t think Jerry would give that many prospects up. Could we sub in Emerson or would his contract be too prohibitive?

[D-train]

Yeah I was shocked but maybe straight up for Kirby?

I really like your De La Cruz idea but don’t think Jerry would give that many prospects up. Could we sub in Emerson or would his contract be too prohibitive?

Yeah some were saying the Reds might want Colt. I would love that....I just think he is going to be similar to Cole. JAG.

[DavidGee24]

I think that our best bets at a right-handed pickup would be Suzuki, Alonso (who might opt out) and the guy I really want, Teruaki Sato. Third baseman/outfielder in his age-27 season who hit 35 home runs and put up a .997 OPS this season in Japan. Of course his name probably hasn't even come up in the Mariner front office though.

FWIW Teruaki Sato hits from the left side:

https://npb.jp/bis/eng/players/41045153.html

I just saw that and came back here hoping that nobody tattled on me. I actually would still make him my #1 pursuit, he really is that good.