Seattle Mariners' 5 Most Tradeable Assets for the 2014-15 Offseason

While the MLB offseason is impossible to predict, the Seattle Mariners promise to be active over the winter months to try and put the finishing touches on a contending team.

The Mariners ended the season just one game behind the Oakland Athletics for the second AL wild card spot. With one of the best pitching staffs in the majors, the Mariners were often let down by an offense that scored 634 runs and had the lowest OBP in the American League.

Seattle will be looking at names in free agency like Victor Martinez and Nelson Cruz, players who can help them improve enough to make the postseason for the first time since 2001. If those top targets don't work out, the Mariners will likely turn to the trade market to upgrade the offense.

Much like at last year's trade deadline, Seattle will have to carefully balance the present and future. The Mariners have some pieces that could fetch tempting returns, but young hitters like D.J. Peterson should be nearly untouchable.

Seattle has five tradeable assets that stand out, based upon the Mariners' depth at the respective position, the value they could get in return and the likelihood that the player could be potentially dealt.

 All stats via FanGraphs.com unless otherwise noted.

Michael Saunders, Outfield

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Saunders is a valuable player, but recent comments suggest his relationship with the Mariners may be strained.

Most of the big news in Seattle during the offseason has revolved around Michael Saunders. At the Mariners' end-of-season press conference, general manager Jack Zduriencik had some choice words regarding Saunders' injury-prone nature, via Lookout Landing.

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I think what Michael has to do and has to answer to himself is 'how do I prepare myself to play as many games through the course of 162 that I can possibly play without being set back with injuries?' Some are freak injuries, some are things that just happen, but some of these things need to be handled from a maintenance standpoint where he puts himself in a position to compete throughout the course of a season. 

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Mike McCann, Saunders' agent, responded and wasn't happy with the comments, via Jason Churchill of 1090 The Fan.

“Jack’s comments surprised me," he said. "The first Michael and I heard of it was the day of the press conference. Michael is frustrated with the comments. He’s frustrated because he felt he could have helped the club win when he was available.”

Saunders was clearly Seattle's best outfielder in 2014, totaling 1.9 WAR in just 78 games. Still, some part of Saunders' relationship with the team seems to be fractured, potentially opening the door for a trade.

As the roster currently stands, Saunders is the only real option to start in right field, with little outfield depth behind him. However, things would change if the Mariners signed a big-name outfielder in free agency.

Saunders may be more likely to be traded than some other players due to those recent comments, but it would be unwise for the Mariners from a roster construction standpoint. The Mariners would be selling low after Saunders missed much of last season, and he could easily be a special talent if he were to finally stay healthy.

Taijuan Walker, SP

Taijuan Walker will always be talked about during the offseason and around the deadline as a possible trade candidate. The Mariners are going to be hesitant to trade their top prospect, but he could bring back enough value to improve the club enough to make a postseason run.

The 22-year-old bounced between Triple-A and Seattle last year, posting a 2.61 ERA (3.68 FIP) in 38 innings. Unless the Mariners sign multiple starting pitchers in free agency, Walker will again be expected to contend for a rotation spot right out of spring training.

Again, the Mariners would be selling low on a player with plenty of upside. Other teams are going to be concerned about the shoulder impingement Walker suffered early in the season and the command issues he showed at times, although he did turn in a brilliant start against the Toronto Blue Jays in his last outing of the year.

If the Mariners are going to deal Walker, they will need a high-upside hitter with multiple years of team control in return, much like the rumored Justin Upton deal prior to the 2013 season. It's unlikely, but Zduriencik will be willing to at least listen to some offers.

Fernando Rodney, CL

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With bullpen depth behind him, would the Mariners be willing to trade their closer?

The Mariners are deep in the bullpen, meaning reliever is one of the more likely positions there could be a trade. Fernando Rodney could be one member of the bullpen who could fetch a nice return without hurting the club too much.

As stressful as Rodney can be, he was very effective overall in 2014. He saved 48 games while only blowing three and posted a 2.85 ERA (2.83 FIP) in 66.1 innings.

If the Mariners were to hypothetically deal Rodney, candidates like Tom Wilhelmsen, Danny Farquhar, Brandon Maurer or Carson Smith all have the stuff to replace him the closer role. Wilhelmsen and Farquhar struggled a bit as closers in 2013, and the latter two are inexperienced, so the move would be risky yet potentially rewarding.

Teams seem to value “experienced closers” highly on the market—the Texas Rangers got a nice return for Joakim Soria at the 2014 deadline. Plenty of contenders need short-term bullpen help, but there's a limit to how much value a 37-year-old closer due $7 million can bring back.

Brandon Maurer, RP

If the Mariners do indeed deal a reliever, Brandon Maurer is the most likely candidate. He's younger and cheaper than someone like Rodney, and his value is at a peak after a breakout 2014 campaign.

Maurer's season numbers don't seem that impressive, but they only tell part of the story. After a move to the bullpen, Maurer looked dominant, posting a 2.17 ERA (2.99 FIP) with a 25.3 percent strikeout rate in 37.1 innings as a reliever.

That makes Maurer a good sell-high candidate, and the Mariners have the bullpen depth to replace him. If Seattle can find a deal in the same vein as the Carter Capps for Logan Morrison trade from last offseason, they should absolutely pull the trigger.

Chris Taylor/Brad Miller, SS

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No matter who wins the shortstop job in 2015, the Mariners will have a valuable trade chip.

The Mariners biggest decision prior to next season will be about the shortstop position. Manager Lloyd McClendon confirmed the battle between Brad Miller and Chris Taylor for the starting shortstop job will remain unsettled until spring, according to John Boyle of The Everett Herald.

Seattle may be content letting Miller and Taylor platoon or battle for the job during the season, but either one would bring back a nice return if the team firmly commits to a starter.

Despite a poor 2014, Miller has more upside at the plate moving forward due to his ability to hit for some power. Still, Taylor put up 1.4 WAR in just 47 games this season and brings plenty of value defensively and on the bases.

It's not an easy decision between the two, but the Mariners should seriously consider making one of them a trade chip. There's no benefit in having either Miller or Taylor sit on the bench when they could bring back a return that might be enough to get Seattle into the postseason in 2015.