The Seattle Mariners are set up to be aggressive at the trade deadline with a stockpile of minor league talent that can be used to acquire help. The Mariners have not had exceptional play at first base this season between the tandem of Donovan Solano and Rowdy Tellez.
That’s why MLB Insider Jeff Passan of ESPN tagged Ryan O’Hearn of the Baltimore Orioles as a target for the Mariners as the deadline approaches.
The Mariners’ first base options, Tellez and Solano, have played below replacement level, with both players struggling at the plate this season. Solano has played sparsely and is slashing .173/.213/.200 this season. Solano has not been the traditional power bat that the position is typically reserved for.
Tellez has provided some more pop to the Mariners’ lineup, but has been inconsistent at the plate, hitting .207 with nine home runs this season. Tellez’s bat has continued to decline from his 35-home run season in 2022 with the Milwaukee Brewers.
O’Hearn is having a breakout season at the plate for the Orioles, hitting .335 with nine home runs in 50 games this season. O’Hearn would be an ideal fit for the Mariners with his low strikeout rate of 15.4%, while their current options are striking out around 25% of the time.
O’Hearn is on an expiring contract and would come at a cheaper price than other options at the position. While the Orioles are on a downward spiral this season, following back-to-back playoff appearances, they may attempt to sell their expiring contracts as they retool for a bounce-back next season.
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