MLB Rumors: Mariners Receiving Trade Interest For Starting Pitcher

The Seattle Mariners are sure to be one of the busier teams during this offseason, as they try to build on their feelgood season in 2022, making the playoffs for the first time in 20 years. President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto now says one pitcher who might be dealt for position player help is getting plenty of trade interest. 

Dipoto said Chris Flexen drew plenty of trade interest at the deadline and continues to be asked about. Seems likely Flexen could be moved in a package of players to get a position player.

— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) November 9, 2022

Dipoto said right-hander Chris Flexen drew plenty of trade interest at the deadline in August, and has continued to draw interest at the GM Meetings. 

In fact, MLB Insider Jeff Passan can not only confirm that Flexen is being shopped, but can add another Mariners' starter into the mix as well.

"I’ve been told that they’re shopping them right now," Jeff Passan on Seattle Sports station regarding Marco Gonzales and Chris Flexen.

— Steve (@MarinersSteve) November 9, 2022

Passan says longtime Mariner LHP Marco Gonzales is also on the trade block, and that "I’ve been told that they’re shopping them right now." 

Dipoto has confirmed as much. “We’re getting hit constantly, up and down, with our bullpen, our starters,” Dipoto told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. “With what might be some type of pitching surplus, we will if we can put that into play to answer other needs, even in part to try and fill some of the holes we have on our team right now, which are a middle infielder and potentially two corner outfielders.”

Flexen, 27, just completed his second season in Seattle, and posted a 3.73 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP. 

Gonzales is a 6-year Mariner and posted a 4.13 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP this season. His strikeout rate was down, even for him, to just 5.1 K/9. 

Dipoto says he's more than willing to trade from a starters' surplus but is loathe to deal away any pieces of his strong bullpen.

Photo: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports