Crafting a Mariners trade offer for Elly De La Cruz that Reds couldn’t refuse

Writer Zachary Rymer argues that the Seattle Mariners should construct a significant trade offer to acquire shortstop Elly De La Cruz from the Cincinnati Reds this winter. Rymer notes that Mariners executive Jerry Dipoto needs a premier offensive star to boost the lineup, while Cincinnati has struggled to extend De La Cruz, who remains under team control through 2029.

To tempt Cincinnati, Rymer proposes a four-player package centered around prospects Ryan Sloan, Michael Arroyo, Jonny Farmelo, and Nick Becker. The writer asserts that while relinquishing considerable prospect surplus value is risky, the Mariners possess sufficient pipeline depth to justify the substantial overpay for a bona fide star.