The Seattle Mariners once held a 10-game lead in the American League West. However, they now trail their rivals the Houston Astros by 3 1/2 games with 16 games remaining on their schedule.
They may ultimately miss the playoffs, which could prompt them to make some big changes this winter. One such change would be to pursue a high-profile free agent and spend some money.
Zach Rymer of Bleacher Report listed Seattle as the top fit for Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman.
"Out of all the teams that could theoretically get into the race for Bregman, nobody needs him like the Mariners," Rymer wrote. "They're the most lopsided contender of 2024, as their million-dollar pitching staff comes with a ten-cent lineup.
The Mariners need offensive help more than just about every team in Major League Baseball. Their offense has let them down once again and provided little to no run support for their pitching staff, which is among the best in the league.
Signing Bregman would be a good start as they seek improvements for 2025. It would also be a nice way for them to put a dagger in the hearts of the Astros, stealing him away from their rivals.
The veteran slugger has been around for several years and would be a solid veteran presence in the Mariners clubhouse. He's been a part of some very good Houston clubs, four of which have reached the World Series and two of which have won titles.
We'll see if the Mariners decide to spend and try to pluck Bregman away from their rivals.
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