Mariners land All-Star Winker, Suárez in trade with Reds

By Tyler Wicke / The News Tribune

Jerry Dipoto wanted a left-handed All-Star hitter for Seattle’s lineup, and on Monday, found him.

The Mariners announced Monday afternoon they have acquired two former All-Stars in outfielder Jesse Winker and infielder Eugenio Suárez from the Reds, in a move that brings a pair of known sluggers to Seattle.

Seattle will send right-hander Justin Dunn, outfielder Jake Fraley and left-hander Brandon Williamson — the club’s No. 7 prospect, per MLB Pipeline — to Cincinnati, as well as a player to be named later or cash considerations.

“We’re incredibly excited at the chance to acquire two All-Star caliber players,” Dipoto said in a release. “Jesse has been one of the premier offensive players in the league over the past two seasons, while Suárez brings a long track record as a power hitter. Our goal is to reach the postseason this year, and we feel that these additions give us the depth and impact in our lineup necessary to compete for one of those spots.”

Dipoto’s desire to add what he described as an “impact bat” in the heart of Seattle’s order was known. Last week, he spoke to a group of reporters on a video call and laid out an offseason “wish list,” including a left-handed hitter like Winker that bolsters outfield depth and can assume center field duties when needed.

Winker, 28, fits that mold. The left-handed power bat that Dipoto sought ranked fourth in the National League with a .949 OPS in 2021. He hit .305 and slugged at a .556 clip in 110 games and has played every outfield position throughout his Major League career.

“Obviously, it’s part of the business. It’s what you sign up for… but I can’t wait to go to Seattle,” Winker told reporters. “I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about the city, about the team. And we’re trying to win.”

“It’s an opportunity to win a division, play in the postseason, and I’ve been looking forward to that opportunity for my whole life.”

A first-round draft choice (49th overall) by the Reds in the 2012 MLB Draft, Winker slashed .346/.428/.642 vs. right-handed pitchers last season and ranks fifth in OPS against right-handers since his 2017 debut. He’s a career .288 hitter, reaching base at a .394 clip and slugging .504 across five seasons and 413 games.

Suárez, despite a recent dip in numbers — he hit .202 in 2020, and .198 in 2021 — was an All-Star in 2018, and hit 34 home runs with 104 runs batted in and a .283 batting average. He was most often featured at third base in Cincinnati and plugs in at the same position in Seattle.

Suárez hit 49 home runs in 2019, which set a record for third basemen in National League history. He leads the Major Leagues with 129 home runs since 2018, and ranks 12th in OPS (.842) during that span.

The player to be named later in the deal must be selected by Cincinnati by mid-season, and is not currently on the team’s 40-man roster.

The deal was discussed as early as November, before MLB’s 99-day lockout shut down major league transactions. Dipoto said he tried multiple avenues for similar deals, but found only road blocks and dead ends. In recent days, Seattle and Cincinatti gained traction on a deal, and a package of both Winker and Suarez became too powerful to pass up on.

“It’s hard to make trades. And this one was especially painful, because this was the first time, truly, that we have gone out and acquired what I would call now-premium offensive players. We haven’t been in that position,” Dipoto said.

“I think these guys combined for 55 homers last year. To have a 28-year-old All-Star left fielder with a 900-plus OPS, and a guy that’s pretty safe to push hard on the pencil at 30-plus homers a year at third base, and they both take their walks. … We feel our lineup is in a much better place.”

Dunn, a 26-year-old starting pitcher, tossed 102.2 innings and posted a 3.94 earned run average for Seattle in parts of three seasons (2019-21). Part of the seven-player deal that sent Robinson Cano to New York on Dec. 3, 2018, Dunn’s major league debut came against the Reds on Sep. 12, 2019.

Fraley, 26, posted a .196 average with nine home runs and 33 runs scored across three seasons with the Mariners (2019-21). Known for his eye at the plate and ability to draw walks, Fraley reached base at a .352 clip in 2021 despite hitting .210.

Williamson, 23, was Seattle’s second-round draft choice in 2018 out of Texas Christian University. The lefty went 4-6 with a 3.25 earned run average across two seasons in Seattle’s minor league system, walking 38 batters and striking out 178.

Seattle’s updated 2022 payroll sits at $106 million, per FanGraphs. Dipoto promised additions would be made this offseason — last season’s payroll finalized at $86 million — though it’s likely the Mariners are done adding. “That’s our offensive team,” Dipoto told reporters after the deal. “You’re looking at it.”

Suarez will become the team’s everyday third baseman, and Winker takes over as Seattle’s left fielder, particularly against right-handed pitchers. All-Star Adam Frazier, acquired by the Mariners in a deal with San Diego before the lockout, becomes the team’s second baseman alongside Ty France at first base and J.P. Crawford at shortstop, Dipoto said.

Winker joins Jarred Kelenic and Mitch Haniger in Seattle’s outfield. Dipoto doesn’t expect Kyle Lewis to be ready in time for opening day; in Sept. 2021, Lewis suffered a bone bruise while rehabbing a torn right meniscus. The ascension and debut of outfielder and top prospect Julio Rodriguez is further imminent.

If Dipoto can swing another move, he’ll search for bench depth or an impact arm, potentially one that can both start or make relief appearances from the bullpen.

“If this is the last move of our offseason, we feel good about where we ended up.”