What Would A Trade Look Like If Hammel Goes To Seattle?

Chicago, IL- Many sources are inking a Jason Hammel trade to the Seattle Mariners. It could happen, as the Mariners are looking for another starter with Taijuan Walker and James Paxton on the disabled-list. Walker is close to making his return to the Major Leagues, but it's unknown if he will stay healthy. If Walker maintains his health, Hammel could give the Mariners a six-man rotation, or replace Chris Young's spot. Hammel is a better pitcher this year compared to Young (Hammel: 3.01 FIP and 1.018 WHIP v.s. Young: 5.14 FIP and 1.223 WHIP). 

A trade scenario could look very similar to the Scott Feldman deal:

Cubs send Jason Hammel (RHP) and Junior Lake (OF/SS/3B) to the Mariners for Nick Franklin (2B/SS/OF), Brandon Maurer (RHP), and Edwin Diaz (RHP).

In-depth look at trade pieces:

1. Jason Hammel: Hammel has been a very solid number two for the Cubs this season. Currently, he is 6-4 with a 3.02 ERA in fourteen game starts. 

2. Junior Lake: Lake has regressed from his 2013 season (.284 Avg in 2013 to .236 Avg in 2014), but in an increase in power has come (6 HR and 16 RBI in 2013 to 9 HR and 25 RBI in 2014). It's worth noting that Lake was rated #15 prospect in the Cubs system in 2012 by Baseball America.

3. Nick Franklin: Franklin has always been a stud in the Minors in the Mariners system. So far at Tacoma this year, he has hit .304 with 7 HR and 28 RBI in 43 games. However, Franklin has struggled at the Major League level when called up (.214 career average between 2013-2014). 

4. Brandon Maurer: Like Franklin, Maurer has never been successful at the Major League level. After being rushed up from AA last season, Maurer compiled a 5-8 record with a 6.52 ERA in 22 games (14 starts) with the Mariners. He was demoted earlier this season due to lack of success once again, but has been good at Tacoma (3.52 ERA and 1.435 WHIP in 10 games). 

5. Edwin Diaz: Diaz was rated #7 best prospect in the Mariners system heading into 2014 by FanGraphs. He is know for his above average control. So far this season for the Lumberkings, he is 2-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 13 games. 

How this trade will help the Cubs: Acquring Nick Fracklin would give the Cubs a second-basemen to build around. Brandon Maurer could prove to be a change of scenery pitcher like Jake Arrieta. Edwin Diaz could become a solid arm for the Cubs in the future. 

How this trade will help the Mariners: Slotting Jason Hammel would give the Mariners another quality veteran pitcher in their rotation along with King Felix, Hisashi Iwakuma, Roenis Elias, and Chris Young/Taijuan Walker. Junior Lake could be the right-handed bat the Mariners desperately need on the bench or in the lineup. If Lake is able to produce, he could play LF instead of Dustin Ackley, or SS instead of Brad Miller.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(Stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com, MLB.com, and MILB.com)