Texas Rangers: 4 Trades They Could Make with the Seattle Mariners

On July 9, 2010, the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners hooked up for a trade that would change the Rangers from cellar dwellers to American League champions. This trade of course landed them Cliff Lee, the ace they long desired, and cost them top prospect Justin Smoak and three others.

The Rangers are right back in first place and have survived a bevy of early injuries to stars such as Josh Hamilton and Neftali Feliz. They possess the most complete team in the West but are still a piece or two away from another deep October run.

A year has brought about many changes for the Mariners, one of which is a winning record. Behind ace Felix Hernandez and Rookie of the Year candidate Michael Pineda, they currently sit a game behind the Rangers for first in the West. While they are built for October, with a dynamic pitching rotation, they lack offense to get them there.

If the Mariners fall out of the race and become sellers at the deadline, could the two trade partners from a year ago strike up another deal? Here are four trades the Rangers could make with the Mariners to help them get back to the World Series.

Jack Wilson for Prospects

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 25: Second baseman Jack Wilson #2 of the Seattle Mariners forces out Matt Tolbert #20 of the Minnesota Twins at second base as Wilson turns a double play during the first inning of their game on May 25, 2011 at Target Field in Minnea

Jack Wilson would provide the depth that the Rangers need. If Elvis Andrus was to find time on the disabled list for an extended period of time, do you feel comfortable with Andres Blanco manning short stop?

Wilson has been one of the best defensive short stops of the past decade and would be nice fill-in from time to time for Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus. At second base this year, he ranks fifth in the league with a .989 fielding percentage and still has the range to make spectacular plays up the middle.

Wilson would not command top prospects and could help a defense that is statistically one of the worst in the league.

Brandon League for Chris Davis

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DETROIT - JUNE 12: Brandon League #43 and Miguel Olivo #30 of the Seattle Mariners celebrate a 7-3 win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 12, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Brandon League would give the Rangers a legitimate power arm in the eighth inning, something they have not had this season. League, who currently closes for Seattle, has been a late-innings force for the Mariners and has not given up a run since May 13. He has 20 saves so far in 2011.

Chris Davis has been absolutely crushing Triple-A pitching this season, to the tune of 14 home runs and a .364 batting average. Unfortunately for Davis, he is blocked in at just about every position he could possibly play, which makes him expendable.

As of late, he has been playing left field in the minors, which gives him experience at three positions. The Mariners could use power from anywhere in their lineup but especially in left field. The Rangers might have to throw in another lower-level prospect to sweeten the deal.

Josh Lueke for Michael Kirkman

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PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 01: Josh Lueke #71 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during spring training at Peoria Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

This seems familiar. Josh Lueke was traded from the Rangers to the Mariners last year in the Cliff Lee trade, so why not again? He is pitching well at Triple-A Tacoma and could help the Rangers bullpen, providing another power arm.

Michael Kirkman came into the season battling for a starting spot but has just not been given the opportunity. It does not seem that he will be able to break into the rotation next year either, as Neftali Feliz is probably going to make a transition to the rotation, which would take any spot Kirkman had.

Kirkman gives the Mariners a starter they can plug at the back of the rotation next season. A change of scenery from hitter-friendly Rangers Ballpark could be exactly what Kirkman needs.

Erik Bedard for Chris Davis and Tommy Mendonca

Bedard offers the Rangers a legitimate No. 2 or 3 starter for a deep playoff run. He will offer an ERA somewhere around 3.40 and have a pretty good WHIP too. He would be a perfect candidate to slide in behind C.J. Wilson and Alexi Ogando and in front of Colby Lewis and Matt Harrison.

I've already talked about Chris Davis and what he offers the Mariners, but Tommy Mendonca gives the Mariners another power bat at the Double-A level. He is batting .330 with 15 home runs and 58 runs batted in for Frisco and figures to move to Triple-A before long. The power-hitting third baseman does have a problem with strikeouts, but that hasn't stopped other sluggers from succeeding at the Major League level before.

This of course is only if the Mariners fall out of contention, as there is no way they would trade their third starter while still within sight of first.

The Rangers might have to throw in a pitching prospect in order to get the Mariners to bite, but it will be worth it to get another good lefty arm in the starting rotation.