Following the final pitch in 2018 Mariners campaign, the organization\u2019s 17th\u00a0consecutive without participating in the post season, I was having a conversation about what the Mariners needed to do to break the longest streak in professional sports. Conventional wisdom was that GM Jerry Dipoto<\/a>, who was completing his 3rd<\/sup> year with the organization, was going to move some pieces around and try to do whatever it takes to find his way into the MLB playoffs, even if that meant a one-and-done Wild Card loss. I spoke vociferously about the need to blow the whole thing up. Trade Diaz. He\u2019s our most tradeable asset. Trade Paxton, Haniger, and Segura I continued. My thought was no one should be untouchable and at the same time didn\u2019t believe for a second that this was going to happen. When James Paxton<\/a> was traded to the New York Yankees for Justus Sheffield<\/a>, Erik Swanson<\/a> and Dom Thompson-Williams<\/a>, I gathered this was a one off, given Paxton has two years left on his contract and his agent is Scott Boras.<\/p>\n Less than two weeks later, news broke that the Mariners were working on a deal that would send All-Star closer Edwin Diaz<\/a> and former all star second baseman Robinson Cano<\/a> to the New York Mets. While excited about who might be coming Seattle\u2019s way in this deal, the thought of “be careful what you wish for” also entered my mind. The prospects returning in the deal\u2014Jarred Kelenic<\/a>, Justin Dunn<\/a> and Gerson Bautista<\/a> will help improve the ailing farm system, but Mariner fans will continue to wonder what the organization could have acquired had they not included Robinson Cano and the 5 years, $120 million dollars remaining on his contract.<\/p>\n Prior to the moves, the Mariners minor league system was thought to be at near the bottom of all teams in MLB. With the aforementioned trades and a handful of other off season moves the M\u2019s system has moved from the back of the line to somewhere in the middle. Where specifically? That is debatable. All I know is that covering the Mariners prospects just got a heck of a lot more interesting. Three of the top 6 prospects in the system, Sheffield, Kelenic and Dunn, were all acquired in the trades with the Yankees<\/a> and Mets. I am intrigued to see how these players along with the development of in house prospects, Evan White<\/a>, Logan Gilbert, Julio Rodriguez<\/a>, Josh Stowers<\/a>, Noelvi Marte, etc. transform this franchise. Will the postseason drought end in 2021, 2022 or 2023? When it does, will it be more meaningful than a one and done Wild Card exit? As of now, the magic 8-ball says\u2014Reply hazy, try again, which is better than the previous 17 years’ answer of Better not tell you now.<\/p>\n One specific player note I wanted to mention. I have included recent International signee, 27-year-old Yusei Kikuchi, on this list. You will not find Kikuchi on ALL Mariners prospect rankings lists out there, but he is found on some. Since Prospects1500 leans dynasty\/fantasy over real-life, he is prospect eligible in most dynasty leagues because he hasn’t thrown any MLB innings and we deem him eligible for this list. Of course check your own rules for Kikuchi’s prospect eligibility in your dynasty leagues.<\/em><\/p>\n