Mariners' roster turnover could spark renewed interest in Spencer Steer the Reds can't ignore

One of the biggest mistakes the Cincinnati Reds made during the 2026 season was the restrained manner in which they handled the trade deadline. Rather than selling off veterans whose future with the team was questionable, they did the bare minimum. One of the biggest regrets was not moving Spencer Steer before he suffered a season-ending wrist injury.

Interest in Steer was hot and heavy ahead of the August 3 deadline, and the Seattle Mariners were rumored to have the versatile utility man in their crosshairs. At the time, it seemed like a missed opportunity. Now, the Reds might have a second chance.

The Mariners are likely to lose Randy Arozarena in free agency. Taylor Ward was a massive trade deadline disappointment for them, and while he could certainly bounce back, he's likely as good as gone. The hot-and-cold Victor Robles is a free agent, too.

That's a lot of outfield depth walking out the door, all of whom are right-handed at the plate. For a team that already struggled to score runs and is now very left-handed-heavy in the lineup, additions are going to be necessary. Steer, once again, could be a prime target for Seattle.

Not only is Steer a productive, right-handed bat with pop who hit .238/.319/421 with 16 home runs through 98 games, but his ability to play all over the diamond could also help the Mariners find the best way to put the pieces together to make other moves and create a competent lineup for 2027. For the Reds, the scene is set for them to capitalize.

The Reds could take advantage of the Mariners' desperation and dangle Spencer Steer for rotation upgrades

One of Cincinnati's greatest needs is starting rotation help, and the Mariners have a plethora of starters to offer up. Kade Anderson (No. 5 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline) is universally regarded as the top pitching prospect in all of baseball. He debuted last year and impressed, and likely only adds to Seattle's rotation logjam moving forward.

That's led to a common sentiment that they'll deal from their starter depth to bring in offensive firepower, with George Kirby and Emerson Hancock looking like the top candidates to be put on the block. Either would be an enticing addition for Cincinnati.

Kirby is something of a buy-low candidate. He has looked like a No. 2 starter in the past, but is coming off his second consecutive season with an ERA over 4.00 and saw his strikeout rate decline in 2026. Still, he fires fastballs that average nearly 97 miles per hour and combines the heater with a deep and dynamic arsenal.

The 28-year-old still has two more seasons of team control remaining, though he is going to be nearing a $10 million salary in arbitration. He's affordable, but he's not some sizzling bargain.

The real prize for the Reds might be Hancock. Not only was a Steer-for-Hancock swap floated by insiders around the deadline, but he could be more than just a stopgap for Cincy.

The right-hander is coming off a year in which he made 25 starts and worked out of the rotation exclusively for the first time in his career. He threw 138⅔ innings, struck out 22.3% of batters, put up a superb 5.7% walk rate, and recorded a 3.57 ERA. The best part: he doesn't hit arbitration until 2028 and is under team control through 2030.

Hancock would give the Reds another critical piece around the Sal Stewart-Chase Burns core, and while at 27 years old, he's older than the pair of franchise cornerstones; his team control would allow him to grow alongside them. That's huge, and if it costs Steer, a fan-favorite and admittedly useful player, it would still be worth it.

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