Seattle Mariners: 9 Youngsters the Team Can Use to Build Around Dustin Ackley

If the Seattle Mariners plan on getting better during the MLB trade deadline, they are going to do it with prospects—and this slideshow lays out some possible targets.

The extra parity throughout the league might just be a blessing for the M's. There are at least 15 teams that could be looking to immediately improve for a playoff run, meaning there are 15 teams willing to trade minor leaguers. 

Of those teams, clubs such as the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates—while contenders—won't want to disrupt 2012 and beyond plans, so they probably won't be trading top prospects. 

That leaves the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Tigers, Rangers, Angels, Phillies, Braves, Brewers, Cardinals, Reds and Giants as possible trade partners.

Here's a look at some youngsters from those teams the M's might target in the next week-and-a-half.  

Francisco Martinez, Tigers

Francisco Martinez is just 20 years old, but he has been holding his own for the Double-A Erie SeaWolves this season.

In 86 games, the kid from Venezuela is second on the team in hits with 92. However, he only has seven homers, and Seattle would probably like to see a little bit more power out of a corner infield spot (he plays third base).

Add in the fact that he's made an astounding 28 errors for a fielding percentage of .900, and there are definitely question marks around this kid.

Still though, remember he is only 20 and still very raw. There is lots of upside here, as he was named Detroit's fourth-best prospect to start the year.

Also, Martinez would likely command a smaller price than some of the other guys on this list, since most teams seem to be interested in their right-handed pitcher, Jacob Turner.

The Tigers are looking for pitching, and Seattle has a lot of it. This would be something worth exploring. 

Will Middlebrooks, Red Sox

Will Middlebrooks might not have been top prospect heading into this season (not in Top 100 according to Baseball America), but he has really put together a nice season for Double-A Portland.

Middlebrooks, a 22-year-old third baseman, is hitting .310/.354/.530 with 13 homers and 58 RBI for the Sea Dogs.

The former fifth-round pick has really shot up prospect boards, and it would probably take quite a bit for the Mariners to pry him from Theo Epstein and company.

The Red Sox, however, are in the market for both a reliever and a starter, so a package surrounding Brandon League (although the Red Sox would like a lefty) and one of Doug Fister, Jason Vargas or Erik Bedard might be enticing enough to open up talks.

The Mariners' problems at third base are well known, as Chone Figgins won't be hitting anytime soon, Kyle Seager still probably needs more time in Triple-A and Alex Liddi doesn't look like he'll be a major leaguer anytime soon. 

Middlebrooks probably strikes out a little too much, but it would be a nice fix at one of Seattle's many weak positions. 

Jesus Montero, Yankees/Devin Mesoraco, Reds

I'm grouping these two guys together because they are both projected as future All-Star catchers, and they are both going to be extremely hard to acquire.

Still though, both the Yankees and Reds are looking for starting pitching, and at a time when available starters are at a premium, the Mariners might be able work out something surrounding Erik Bedard (if he proves he's healthy) and Doug Fister.

It's been a long time since the M's have had a reliable, hitting catcher, and either of these guys would fix that problem.

Montero is only 21, but he's been hitting Triple-A pitching for almost two years now, and Mesoraco, at 23, also seems ready for the majors.

Mike Olt, Rangers

The Seattle Mariners made a deal happen last year with Jon Daniels (pictured) and the Texas Rangers, so an intra-division trade wouldn't be out of the question.

Mike Olt strikes me as someone who Jack Zduriencik and company would be very interested in. 

Olt, a 22-year-old third basemen, was drafted as the 49th pick in 2009, and has displayed a nice bat ever since.

In 123 games over two years at Low-A and High-A, Olt has hit .290 with 75 walks and 128 strikeouts. That is a very nice ratio for a 22-year-old. He's also hit 19 homers and driven in 77 runs over that span.

Olt is young and would likely command someone like Doug Fister or Jason Vargas in return, as the Rangers are mostly in the market for pitchers (and Carlos Beltran).

Alex Castellanos and Matt Adams, Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are looking to add pitching at the deadline, but don't want to take on any salary for 2012 and beyond so they can attempt to re-sign Albert Pujols.

That makes Erik Bedard, who is a free agent after this season, a good fit. As a rental, Bedard's injury concerns wouldn't be too much of a worry for the Cards.

Two guys that would be good fits for trade partners are Alex Castellanos and Matt Adams, who both play for Double-A Springfield.

Castellanos, 24, is a former 10th-round pick, and is hitting .312 with 17 homers, 57 RBI and 10 stolen bases. He plays mostly right field, but could put in left if needed.

Adams is a former 23rd-round pick, but he has already been tearing up the Texas League at the age of 22. The Pennsylvania native is hitting .338 with 23 homers, 74 RBI and a 1.024 OPS.

He's only played first base in his pro-ball career, but a move to DH for Seattle might not be out of the question.

Neither of these guys are considered top prospects for the Cardinals, but they are showing that they can seriously hit, and Seattle should be able to acquire either of them for Bedard (again, provided he proves healthy before the deadline).  

Jonathan Singleton, Phillies

According to recent rumors, the Philadelphia Phillies are open to trading 19-year-old Jonathan Singleton, and Dave Cameron believes the Mariners will go after the kid.

This is very intriguing, as Singleton, who plays both left field and first base, would immediately project as the left fielder of the future.

The prseason No. 39-rated prospect by Baseball America has already made his way to High-A ball, where he's hitting .281 with eight homers and 43 RBI. What's even more impressive is the fact that he's already walked 50 times against only 77 strikeouts. 

The Phillies clearly don't need starters, but a package surrounding Brandon League could spark interest from Philly.

This would be a best case situation for the M's.  

Ryan Lavarnway, Red Sox

Speaking of dominating in the minors, Ryan Lavarnway is demolishing pitching right now.

Since moving to Triple-A Pawtucket 35 games ago, Lavarnway has hit .381 with 13 homers and 36 RBI. Over the whole season with Pawtucket and Double-A Portland, this kid is hitting .322 with 27 homers and 74 RBI.

The Yale graduate also walks at a good rate. 

And, to boot, he's a catcher.

The 23-year-old catcher was a sixth-round pick back in 2008, and if the Mariners are smart, they should inquire about him.

His value might be higher than it has ever been right now, but he still shouldn't cost the same as some of the top prospects out there.