Seattle Mariners Trade Rumors: Tracking Hot Updates, News and Reaction

Quite frankly, the biggest move that the Seattle Mariners could make between now and the July 31 trade deadline is to figure out a way to wake Robinson Cano's bat from its continued slumber.

A lack of production from Seattle's $240 million man is a major reason why the Mariners will start the second half of the regular season with a losing record (41-48), but somehow the club remains within striking distance of a playoff spot.

General manager Jack Zduriencik didn't wait for the deadline to arrive before making a move, acquiring slugger Mark Trumbo from the Arizona Diamondbacks in early June, but the team's biggest issues remain an inconsistent bullpen and a lack of people getting on base ahead of the likes of Cano, Trumbo and Nelson Cruz.

With expectations around the club as high as they've been in years, Seattle is sure to be one of the more active teams on the rumor mill as the trade deadline draws near.

Keep it here to find the most up-to-the-minute rumblings about the Mariners, along with analysis and everything else that comes with it. While the post date will always show as July 15, simply click to the next slide to see the latest from the rumor mill in the Emerald City.

Done Deals

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

July 30: Traded OF Dustin Ackley to the New York Yankees in exchange for OF Ramon Flores and RHP Jose Ramirez 

July 31: Traded RHP Mark Lowe to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for LHP Nick Wells, LHP Jacob Brentz and LHP Rob Rasmussen

July 31: Traded LHP J.A. Happ to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for RHP Adrian Sampson

July 31: Traded Mark Lowe to Blue Jays

Stephen Brashear/Associated Press

The Seattle Mariners have traded reliever Mark Lowe to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for left-handers Nick Wells, Jacob Brentz and Rob Rasmussen.

Lowe, 32, is in the midst of his best professional season, pitching to a 1.00 ERA and 1.167 WHIP with 47 strikeouts over 36 innings of work.

July 30: Traded Dustin Ackley

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

The time had come for Dustin Ackley and the Mariners to part ways, and while the club certainly sold low on the 27-year-old, Seattle did pick up a pair of somewhat intriguing prospects in outfielder Ramon Flores and right-hander Jose Ramirez.

Flores, 23, went 7-for-19 in his first taste of the majors earlier this season. He's more apt to spray line drives around the field than go deep—not a bad attribute to have at Safeco Field—and has the speed and arm to play all three outfield positions.

Realistically, he's probably a fourth outfielder or a someone you'd have a part of a platoon, not an everyday ballplayer.

Ramirez, 25, has a terrific fastball/changeup combination but struggles with his control. While he's bounced between the rotation and bullpen over parts of eight minor league seasons, he's probably best suited for relief. Injuries have stymied his development at nearly every minor league level.

Would the Mariners Trade Hisashi Iwakuma?

Stephen Brashear/Associated Press

Update: Tuesday, July 28 at 12:08 a.m. ET

Teams are calling the Mariners about Iwakuma, tweets Fox Sports' Jon Morosi, but the team has not yet decided whether it wants to trade him or not.

--End of Update--

Injuries have limited Hisashi Iwakuma to only five starts in 2015, and while his last outing before the All-Star break was his best—eight innings of two-hit, scoreless baseball against the Los Angeles Angels—teams are going to want to see him replicate that success before even thinking about making an offer.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported that scouts from at least three teams—the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals—were on hand to watch his first start back from the disabled list on July 6, when he allowed five earned runs and eight hits (four of them home runs) against the Detroit Tigers.

While Iwakuma isn't likely to command a massive return as a trade chip, the Mariners could look to move him if the team doesn't plan on re-signing the 34-year-old after the season.

Is Seattle Closing in on a Deal for a Catcher?

Associated Press

Mike Zunino has been a disappointment so far.

Update: Wednesday, July 15 at 3:48 p.m. ET

The Seattle Times' Ryan Divish cites team sources who insist that the Mariners are not close to acquiring a catcher, bringing earlier reports into question. Divish goes on to say that the Mariners have been looking for another backup since trading Wellington Castillo but have found prices to be very high.

That the Mariners would be looking for another backup doesn't make much sense. Mike Zunino is completely useless at the plate and has minor league options left. The team can only benefit from finding a more established option behind the plate and letting Zunino figure things out in Triple-A.

--End of Update--

Update: Wednesday, July 15 at 1:51 p.m. ET

While Seattle has talked to Atlanta about a deal for A.J. Pierzynski, Jon Morosi has been told that Pierzynski is not the catcher the Mariners are close to landing, either.

It's all speculation on my part, but Cincinnati's Brayan Pena or Philadelphia's Carlos Ruiz could be in play here.

--End of Update--

Update: Wednesday, July 15 at 1:25 p.m. ET

Toronto's Dioner Navarro is not the catcher heading to the Mariners, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

--End of Update--

Wednesday, July 15 at 12:20 p.m. ET

No team in baseball has gotten less production from the catcher position this year than Seattle, with the group hitting a combined .150 with a .464 OPS and 28 wRC+. Mike Zunino has been a colossal disappointment, while neither Wellington Castillo (who they traded for and summarily traded away) nor Jesus Sucre have contributed anything of note.

But Fox Sports' Jon Morosi tweets that the club is closing in on a deal for a catcher, though there are no indications as to whom it may be or even what team he's currently with. This is a still-developing situation that we'll update as more information becomes available.

Could the Mariners Finally Snag Justin Upton?

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

Wednesday, July 15 at 12:51 p.m. ET

Two years after Justin Upton, then with the Arizona Diamondbacks, reportedly blocked a trade to Seattle, ESPN's Jim Bowden reports that the Mariners are one of three teams pursuing a deal for San Diego's current left fielder.

Upton, 27, hasn't been the offensive powerhouse that the Padres hoped he'd be, as he entered the All-Star break with only five extra-base hits (two home runs) since June 1, a stretch that's seen him hit a woeful .180 (23-for-128).

That said, nobody disputes his natural abilities, and a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs to get his swing back on track.

San Diego has long been looking for an answer at shortstop, so it's possible that either Chris Taylor or Brad Miller could be part of a package heading back to the Padres, though that's all speculation on my part.

Is Ben Revere the Leadoff Hitter the Mariners Need?

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Seattle isn't ready give up on the season and has interest in the Philadelphia Phillies' Ben Revere as its new leadoff hitter, a source told the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo. While his .337 on-base percentage this year (.326 for his career) is a bit lower than you'd like atop the lineup, he'd be an upgrade over Austin Jackson.

While he has the speed to cover a lot of ground in the outfield and has played all three spots, Revere is best suited for left field, where his lack of a strong throwing arm would be less of an issue than it would be in center or right. Under team control through 2017, he'd be more than a short-term rental.