MLB Rumors: A Mariners Offer That Could Land Juan Soto

From all accounts, the Seattle Mariners are one of the teams most talked-about in the Juan Soto Sweepstakes. 

In USA Today, Bob Nightengale says the M's "may prove to be the most aggressive of the suitors."

“We are tempting fate if we don’t provide help (to get to the playoffs this season),’’ GM Jerry Dipoto told Seattle reporters. “You will pay premium prices, that’s part of it. When you are in the position we are in, you have to consider it.’’

If the Mariners were ever going to swing for the fences and dangle top prospects to make a trade, Juan Soto would absolutely be it.

Him and Julio together for the next decade-plus? Rest of AL West having nightmares....

— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) July 16, 2022

And former major league GM Jim Bowden notes in The Athletic that DiPoto is always an active trader, and he is willing to make bold moves. Bowden can see the M's putting together a package of top prospects for the Washington Nationals that includes some youngsters with major league experience, to expedite their timelines. 

A package for Soto could include:

Outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Kyle Lewis. Yes, Kelenic has had a rough indoctrination into the big leagues this season and last, but he is nevertheless still a premium power-speed prospect. Lewis already showed his worth in the majors by being named Rookie of the Year in 2020.

One or both of their top pitching prospects could be part of the offer—George Kirby, who's already fared relatively well in 12 big league starts at the age of 24, and Emerson Hancock, the Mariners' No. 4 prospect who's pitching very well at Double-A as a 23-year-old. 

20-year-old shortstop Noelvi Marte is the team's No. 1 prospect; the M's would try to keep him out of the deal. The Nationals, however, might insist on it. 

Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports