The clock is ticking, and the Seattle Mariners are in the hot seat. Just days are left until the trade deadline hits, and the Seattle front office, especially Jerry Dipoto, is feeling the pressure like never before. Because after plenty of seasons of “almost” and “maybes,” they seem close now, and fans are done being patient.

Insider Shannon Drayer dropped an exciting update on Seattle Sports, saying that the Mariners do want to add to the team. That they are “excited” about the possibilities at the deadline. So it means they are not here to window shop; they are here to make something big happen.

And there is one name that keeps popping up, and it’s Eugenio Suarez. The same guy who helped the Mariners lineup a couple of years ago. Now, according to Jon Heyman and Adam Jude, Seattle has already reached out to the D’backs about getting him back. And Suarez’s numbers are elite—36 homers, 86 RBIs, and a .923 OPS. He is not a nostalgic run, but he is the guy the Seattle Mariners need at the plate right now.

But here is where it gets tricky and maybe a little painful. Jim Bowden said it bluntly that if the Mariners want to land someone like Suarez, then they are going to have to give up a real prospect. Bowden said, “Look, you’re going to have to make a painful trade.” This is because they have some of the best. In fact, eight guys on the MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 are from the Mariners. So, as Bowden said, “You’re going to have to trade a prospect that’s going to come back and haunt you.”

It’s a tough pill to swallow. Bowden also revealed that the ownership has been given the green light by the owner to go all out financially. The money, hence, is there; the talent is there too. What’s not there is time. The Mariners have built one of the strongest rotations in the league, but as Bowden warned, pitching windows don’t open forever. He cited Arizona’s example of how an injury and the regression of players and dynamics have changed to sell the team.

For now, the Seattle Mariners front office has essentially everything to make a splash—deep pockets, top prospects, and a roster that seems ready to win. If Dipoto plays it safe, then the frustration in Seattle will only grow. The fanbase wants October baseball, and painful or not, now seems to be the time to make a move.

4 prospects the Seattle Mariners could let go for a serious postseason push

The Seattle Mariners are sitting in contention and have the deepest farm system. But as every contender knows, you can’t keep everyone. So, with the Mariners looking more like buyers, it’s time to make tough decisions. This means figuring out which shiny prospects to hold onto and which ones to cash in. Here are some prospects the Mariners should consider trading if they want to stay competitive down the stretch.

1. Michael Arroyo (INF, No. 61 overall, Mariners No. 5)

Michael Arroyo is crushing it in the Double-A Arkansas. He has a slash line of .313/.427/.537, and he is doing it in a pitcher-friendly environment. Of course, that kind of production ends up turning heads. Now, there are bigger names like Colt Emerson and Lazaro Montes ahead of him. But Arroyo could be the perfect high-value piece to dangle without touching the untouchables. If not Arroyo, maybe Felnin Celestin is the one who gets moved!

2. Jurrangelo Cijntje (SP, No. 75 overall, Mariners No. 7)

Cijntje is a switch pitcher, and no, you are not mistaken—this is right. And this has earned him all the buzz and a Futures game spot, too. But the numbers behind the hype also show he is still raw. He has been much more effective as a righty and does seem to have control issues from the left side. Now might be the best time to sell high before the scouts catch on!

3. Jeter Martinez (SP, Mariners No. 14)

Martinez was once in a breakout in a rookie call. He stumbled in Single A Modesto. A 6.71 ERA and a WHIP of 1.70, a career-worst, and declining strikeouts just spelled trouble. He’s still young, but his trade value might only go down from here.

4. Teddy McGraw (SP, Mariners No. 15)

Now, there is no denying McGraw’s got talent, but with that, he also has injuries. Two Tommy John injuries and limited innings make his long-term role uncertain. So, a future in the bullpen—possibly. And that makes him movable.

For now, if the Mariners want to win, it might mean letting go of some of the above future stars.