House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves could benefit from Seattle Mariners rebuild

By Benjamin Chase

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: GM Jerry Dipoto of the Seattle Mariners looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on September 30, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: GM Jerry Dipoto of the Seattle Mariners looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on September 30, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 28: Jean Segura #2 of the Seattle Mariners watches the ball fly to right field, which would be dropped on an error by Nomar Mazara #30 of the Texas Rangers to score three in the second inning at Safeco Field on September 28, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

Unlikely available

The first one that has been mentioned by multiple places as “unavailable” is one of the guys who was ripped off the worst by the Super 2 number this season. Edwin Diaz would be eligible for arbitration this offseason if he had just two weeks more service time.

Diaz had an incredible season in 2018, and the start to his career reminds many of a former closer in Atlanta. In his first three seasons in the league, Diaz has saved 109 games, with a 2.64 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, a 8.3% walk rate, and a 38.8% strikeout rate. Needless to say, that’s an incredible pace to open a career, and the Mariners have no intention to move Diaz, no matter how much the Atlanta Braves may want them to!

Another guy that may have a decent salary but really won’t be considered for a trade is shortstop Jean Segura. Segura signed an extension with the Mariners after his first season with the organization in 2017, and the deal is already looking like a great deal for the Mariners. Segura is owed just over $60 million guaranteed through 2022.

Segura has hit .302/.345/.421 in his two seasons with the Mariners, averaging 10 home runs and 21 steals. He also saw his defensive metrics tick up significantly in 2018, and the general scouting report has improved on his abilities at short as well.

The final piece the Mariners will reportedly be holding onto is one that the Atlanta Braves very well may try to pry away from them. Outfielder Mitch Haniger came to Seattle in the same trade as Segura, and he’s been nothing short of incredible ever since.

Haniger was a late bloomer, playing his first full season in the majors in 2017 with the Mariners at 26, but he’s wasting no time being productive right off of the bat. In two seasons with the Mariners, Haniger has hit .284/.361/.492, and he powered out 26 home runs in 2018.

While the Mariners have stated that they’re not interested in moving Haniger, the Braves could step up with a very impressive offer to attempt to acquire Haniger. Haniger will be arbitration-eligible after next season for the first time, so he’ll get “expensive” quickly, but he won’t be a free agent until after the 2022 season, so he’s under team control for an extended time and would be worth a significant trade offer.

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