If everyone’s for sale, these teams should probably call the Mets
3. Seattle Mariners
Speaking of the Mariners, general manager Jerry Dipoto hasn’t seen a trade he wasn’t willing to do since taking over and he’s already acquired outfielder Denard Span and reliever Alex Colome this year from the Tampa Bay Rays since the season started. Robinson Cano’s PED suspension seems to have spurred something in this team, but to stay with the Houston Astros in the AL West another, possibly bigger move may be in order.
James Paxton has become an ace for Seattle, but Felix Hernandez is that kind of pitcher by reputation only at this point and Mike Leake, Marco Gonzales and Wade LeBlanc shouldn’t inspire confidence for a real playoff push. Add in some questions in the lineup, most notably the sustainability of Mitch Haniger’s power surge (16 home runs), and the Mariners have to be trade deadline buyers to fill some specific needs.
The Mariners don’t have the prospect ammo to get someone like Syndergaard or deGrom from the Mets, though nothing should be ruled out with Dipoto. A move to add a couple lower-priced pieces the Mets want to part with (Bruce, Lugo, Bautista) is more realistic, and well within reach for Seattle.