ANALYSIS: How Much do Seattle Mariners Really Need to Improve Bullpen?

The Seattle Mariners will likely be one of the most aggressive teams in the final days leading to the trade deadline, according to several reports. The Mariners have until 3 p.m. PT on July 31 to make any necessary moves that help them get to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

Seattle has been linked to corner infielders, but is also expected to be looking at pitching help.

The bullpen has dealt with injuries and inconsistencies, which have been prevalent in the team's 51-45 start.

An extra reliever (or two) could definitely help bolster the bullpen, but it might not be as pressing a need as some analysts and fans make it out to be.

Seattle is 11th in the majors and seventh in the AL in bullpen ERA. The unit is also seventh in the AL and 14th in the majors in opposing batting average (.241). The club is ninth in the AL and 18th in the majors in WHIP (1.31). Of course, those numbers could be better, but they aren't bad enough for it to be the main, or even "1B" focus in the trade market. Seattle should be focusing on offense, which is what it has struggled to produce in recent seasons. Even though the Mariners are eighth in the majors in runs scored and sixth in home runs, they would be well-served to acquire additional firepower, especially at those corner infield spots.

The one notable red flag through the bullpen's first half has been the number of strikeouts, or lack thereof. Seattle's relievers are 18th in baseball, and 12th in the AL, with 320 fanned batters. The M's have mitigated the lack of swing-and-miss stuff from the front half of its bullpen in the past by acquiring hurlers who produce weak contact, and letting its defense do the work behind the mound. Current free agent JT Chargois fits that mold, and the Mariners acquired him in a trade with the Miami Marlins on July 30, 2024.

Seattle's defense has a .989 fielding percentage, which ranks fifth in the majors and second in the AL. The Mariners have their Platinum Glove-winning catcher, Cal Raleigh, calling games for the staff. Infielders J.P. Crawford (shortstop), Ben Williamson (third baseman) and Cole Young (second base) all have respective fielding percentages of .980 or better. Julio Rodriguez has consistently been one of the most valuable defensive outfielders in the league and has a 1.2 dWAR (defensive Wins Above Replacement), per ESPN. Therefore, the M's are able to help limit the affects of consistent contact.

The M's also have one of the best groups of high-leverage relievers in the AL. Closer Andres Munoz earned the second All-Star selection of his career this season. He has a 1.50 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 36 innings across 37 appearances. He has 21 saves in 27 opportunities. He's one save away from matching a career-high.