In their effort to improve the offense, the Mariners have shown interest in the Reds utilityman Spencer Steerreports Adam Jude of the Seattle Times. Cincinnati isn’t looking to completely rebuild, but the club is one of the clear sellers in the National League. Steer looks like he could attract a lot of competition considering his versatile defense and consistent offensive production.
Seattle begins an important four-game series with Texas tonight. These teams are separated by half a game in the AL West. Adding a hitter or two would be a great boost to the Mariners’ playoff push. Only the Blue Jays have scored fewer runs than Seattle this season. The team ranks in the bottom five in both OPS and wOBA.
Although he hasn’t been able to duplicate his 118 wRC+ since 2023, Steer has been a reliable hitter in Cincinnati’s lineup over the past few seasons. This year is no different. Steer has a 101 wRC+ through 378 plate appearances in Friday’s action. He has already hit 16 home runs, putting him on pace to reach 20 homers for the fourth straight year. As has been the case throughout his career, the Reds took Steer off the diamond this season. He made 40 starts in right infield and 50 starts in the corner outfield. Steer also made a repeat appearance in third place for the first time since 2023.
The Reds run Steer out there every day, but he might be better suited for a team role. The veteran has a whopping 1.062 OPS against lefties this season. He posted a .647 mark vs. Right thrust. The gap isn’t as wide in his career, but it’s still significant (.839 vs. .719). Steer will fit as a complement in the right hand Luke Raley again Dominic Canzone in the outfield/DH mix. He can have the same impact at first or second. Cole Young was a star with the glove (10 Defensive Runs Saved), but was overmatched by southpaws (69 wRC+). Josh Naylor he’s actually been better versus playing the same hand this season, though he’s worked more against righties in his career.
Steer is not a lock that can be traded. Cincinnati has a few players for rent, but he’s not one of them. The player, 28, has been in control of the club for two years beyond the season. Reds president of baseball Nick Krall didn’t rule it out, though. “He’s a good clubhouse guy, a good teammate, and it would be hard to get rid of him,” Krall told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Maybe a manageable starting pitcher would be enough to shake up the Reds. The Mariners are known to be open to Emerson Hancock trade. The club’s depth in the rotation has been a topic of conversation all season. It will continue only with precious hopes Late Anderson again Ryan Sloan knocking on the door. Replacing one person may not make sense, but it may be a start.
Pitching is not a clear area of need for Cincinnati, especially after the shutdown Chase Burns to a long-term deal, but the organization didn’t want to add another small arm. burning, Hunter Greeneagain Andrew Abbott all are under the group’s control until 2029. Hancock is on the same timeline. His first year of arbitration is not until 2028. The 27-year-old righty posted a 3.16 ERA in 19 starts this year. Hancock is probably a little over his head, but he has a sub-4.00 xFIP and SIERA. He earned a rotation spot due to an early season injury and pitched well enough to keep it.
Photo courtesy of Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Images
