Seattle Mariners president of baseball operations, Jerry DiPoto, has strong ties to the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. DiPoto once served as Arizona’s general manager in 2010, and those connections have carried over to his time in Seattle. Since DiPoto’s arrival with the Mariners, the two teams have completed five trades involving major league players, and with the 2025 trade deadline fast approaching, that relationship could play a key role again.
MLB Network insider Jon Morosi recently highlighted this link while discussing Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen. After two standout performances, Gallen is drawing attention despite an underwhelming season. Morosi floated the idea that Gallen could be on the move, especially if Seattle is looking to strengthen its rotation. He noted that the Mariners and D-Backs’ active trade history could pave the way for a deal.
Though Gallen’s 2025 numbers aren’t ideal—he holds a 7-9 record with a 5.15 ERA, a career-high 1.345 WHIP, and a career-low 22.7% strikeout rate—his recent outings suggest a possible rebound. Over his last two starts, the former All-Star has allowed only one earned run across 13 innings, while racking up 19 strikeouts.
However, starting pitching may not be Seattle’s top priority. The Mariners currently rank 14th in ERA and 11th in strikeouts among MLB starting rotations, with reliable arms like Bryan Woo and Luis Castillo leading the charge. Instead, Seattle could look to bolster its inconsistent offense ahead of the deadline.
Despite catcher Cal Raleigh’s historic power surge, the Mariners are only 12th in team OPS. A player like Baltimore’s Ryan O’Hearn could help. O’Hearn, who has played both first base and right field this season, is producing a career-best .839 OPS with 11 home runs and a .287 batting average. His improved plate discipline, shown by his highest walk rate since 2020, adds further value.
Another potential target is Eugenio Suárez, who has clubbed 28 home runs this season. If the Diamondbacks decide to become sellers at the deadline, he could be another trade chip DiPoto considers.
Whether it’s Zac Gallen, a power bat like O’Hearn, or another name entirely, Seattle’s long-standing trade rapport with Arizona makes them a team to watch as deadline drama builds.