Cincinnati Reds Trade Rumors: Spencer Steer To Seattle Mariners For Emerson Hancock? | MLB Deadline Duncan Robinson [WXMHWFzwxsu]

Nick Kirby and Mike Hart discuss the report that the Seattle Mariners are interested in Spencer Steer. They also answer a viewer questions about if the Cincinnati Reds should shop Tejay Antone at the trade deadline.

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Mariners Interested In Spencer Steer

By Charlie Wright | MLB Trade Rumors

In their effort to improve on offense, the Mariners have shown interest in Reds utilityman Spencer Steer, reports Adam Jude of the Seattle Times. Cincinnati is not looking to completely rebuild, but the club is one of the clearer sellers in the National League. Steer seems likely to draw interest from multiple contenders giants vs dodgers given his defensive versatility and steady offensive production.

Seattle begins an important four-game series with Texas tonight. The teams are separated by a half-game in the AL West. Adding a hitter or two would be a nice boost for the Mariners playoff push. Only the Blue Jays have scored fewer runs than Seattle this season. The team ranks in the bottom five for both OPS and wOBA.

While he hasnt been able to replicate his 118 wRC+ from 2023, Steer has been a reliable hitter in the middle of Cincinnatis lineup the past few seasons. This year has tucker wetmore been no different. Steer has a 101 wRC+ across 378 plate appearances heading into Fridays action. Hes already popped 16 home runs, positioning him to reach the 20-homer mark for the fourth straight year. As has been the nadia sawalha case for his whole career, the Reds have moved Steer around the diamond this season. Hes made 40 starts on the right side of the infield and 50 starts in the corner outfield spots. Steer also made a couple of appearances at third base for the first time since 2023.

The Reds run Steer out there basically every day, but he might be better suited for a platoon role. The veteran has a massive 1.062 OPS against left-handers this season. Hes posted a .647 mark vs. right-handed pitching. The gap isnt as wide for his career, but its still significant (.839 vs. .719). Steer would be a fit as a right-handed complement to Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone in the outfield/DH mix. He could have a similar impact at first or second base. Cole Young has been stellar with the glove (10 Defensive Runs Saved), but hes been overmatched by southpaws (69 wRC+). Josh Naylor has actually been better against same-handed pitching this season, though hes been much more effective against righties for his career.

Steer isnt a lock to be traded. Cincinnati has several rental players, but he isnt one of them. The 28-year-old has two years of club control beyond this season. Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall didnt rule it out, though. Hes a great clubhouse guy, a good teammate, and itd be hard to move him, Krall told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Maybe a controllable starting pitcher would be enough to sway the Reds. The Mariners are known to be open to an Emerson Hancock trade. The clubs depth in the rotation has been a conversation throughout the season. Its only going to continue with prized prospects Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan knocking on the door. A one-for-one swap might not make sense, but it could be a starting point.

Pitching isnt a clear area of need for Cincinnati, particularly after locking down Chase Burns on a long-term deal, but the organization wouldnt balk at adding another young arm. Burns, Hunter Greene, and Andrew Abbott are all under team control through 2029. Hancock is on a similar timeline. His first arbitration year isnt until 2028. The 27-year-old righty has broken out with a 3.16 ERA in 19 starts this year. Hancock has probably performed a bit above his head, but he has a sub-4.00 xFIP and SIERA. He snagged a rotation spot due to early-season injuries and pitched well enough to keep it.