Reds offer Mariners intriguing alternatives if trade talks with Phillies break down

The Seattle Mariners have recently been linked in trade talks with the Philadelphia Phillies regarding third baseman Alec Bohm. However, reports are that the Phillies wanted one of either Logan Gilbert or George Kirby, and that's just too high of a price to pay for Bohm.

With that deal likely off the table, the Cincinnati Reds could offer an interesting contingency plan for the Mariners. Perhaps Seattle could explore trading for one of Jeimer Candelario, Noelvi Marte or Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

Reds could be perfect trade partner for Mariners after talks for Phillies' Alec Bohm break down

After Candelario's down-season, the Reds would likely move on following a year in which he posted just a .707 OPS and a 90 OPS+. Candelario will be making $15 million in 2025, and the Reds could free up some payroll in order to add an outfielder. Though Candelario was not an elite defender at third base last season, he could play first base for the Mariners.

Marte was previously part of the Mariners organization and joined the Reds in the Luis Castillo trade back in 2022. Marte ended the 2023 season looking like a future staple of the Reds lineup, however, an 80 game suspension for PED use to start the 2024 season set him back and then he endured a horrendous season. That being said, Marte is just 23 years old and he still has time to figure it out. The Reds would be trading Marte with his value at an all-time low.

Encarnacion-Strand is another player the Reds could look to move. Much like Marte, Encarnacion-Strand is a young player who showed a lot of promise in 2023. And just like Marte, he struggled in 2024. Encarnacion-Strand would be a better fit at first base for the Mariners, but he has played third base during his professional career. The Reds could command a decent haul for CES, but it's questionable as to whether or not Cincinnati wants to move on so quickly from the young slugger.

The Reds have multiple players that would make sense for the Mariners, but Cincinnati could put a premium on both Marte and Encarnacion-Strand. If the Mariners won't overpay, the Reds should say no.

If the Reds can shed Candelario's contract and pick up a prospect or pro-ready player in the process, that is a no-brainer for the Reds. The Mariners will likely make a move elsewhere, whether it's Bohm or another MLB player, but the Reds and Mariners have a history of making trades and there are some options for the Reds that make a lot of sense.

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