Mariners trade idea ditches Randy Arozarena in Reds deal after Cal Raleigh handshake snub

Oct 19, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) reacts after striking out against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning during game six of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Seattle Mariners have yet to begin the 2026 MLB season, but there's already one storyline dominating the headlines, and it's not a good one.

At the World Baseball Classic, superstar catcher Cal Raleigh refused to shake Randy Arozarena's hand during a Team USA vs. Team Mexico game. This incident blew up, and now, even after both players have tried putting out the fire, there's still buzz about the handshake snub.

With that in mind, Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller proposed a trade that would send Arozarena away to the Cincinnati Reds, landing two prospects in exchange for one season of the All-Star slugger in the Reds outfield.

Mariners trade idea sends Randy Arozarena to Reds

"The Trade: Seattle Mariners send LF Randy Arozarena to the Cincinnati Reds for IF Edwin Arroyo and LHP Brandon Williamson," Miller writes.

Arozarena is a great outfield option for the Mariners, a team that was one game away from making the World Series last year.

But the Mariners could look to squash any possible beef with a trade of Arozarena to the Reds, which would leave a big hole in the outfield that could be filled by Rob Refsnyder and/or Victor Robles.

In return for the World Series-contending Mariners to give up on Arozarena, the Reds would be sending their eighth-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and a lefty starter who has a 4.39 ERA in his 26 starts (27 games) in his MLB career.

More: Reds’ Hunter Greene to be out until July amid brutal injury news

While losing the star outfielder would sting, landing Arroyo, a 22-year-old shortstop prospect who hit .284 last season in Double-A, wouldn't be the worst return for one year of Arozarena.

Ditching Arozarena, who had a 4.0 bWAR season in 2025 for the Mariners en route to the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays, might seem odd. But, he is only under contract for one more season, and his .574 OPS in the postseason doesn't exactly instill confidence.

It's a bold idea from Miller, but it's one that, long-term, makes sense for the Mariners. While the Raleigh handshake snub isn't the reason for this trade at all, it likely does open the door to a possible deal more than it would have had the beef not happened.

More MLB news:

• Blue Jays sign Joe Mantiply to minor league contract
• Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki will return to rotation, not bullpen according Dave Roberts
• Alex Cora announces Caleb Durbin is Red Sox starting third baseman
• Joey Wentz is out for the season with a torn ACL for the Braves
• Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder for Lars Nootbaar
• Jesus Luzardo’s $135 million extension is a steal for Phillies