Jack Zduriencik’s Make Or Break Trade Deadline

As we inch closer and closer towards the trade deadline one thing is still as clear as it has been since the end of last season; Jack Zduriencik, the pressure is on my friend.

I think if Jack does not make a big trade prior to this deadline and the M’s do miss the playoffs, it will mark the end of his tenure in Seattle.

There has been so much speculation over the last month on what the Mariners should do and what they need. What are your thoughts on the state of the Mariners? We currently stand at 53-46, 8 games back out of first place in the AL West, but we still have a few tough questions to answer.

The Mariners have been a surprise story this season but we are relying heavily on one of the best pitching staff’s in the MLB. Defensively they are still one of the best teams in baseball.

So what has kept us from being the best team in the AL West? How about the (once again) lackluster Mariners offense which continues to be the weakest link to this team.

Offensively we have been nothing but average despite the addition of one of the best hitters in baseball, Robinson Cano, and the continued growth of first time All Star 3^rd baseman Kyle Seager. We are somewhat of a one trick pony and do not have a part of our lineup that opposing pitchers fear.

In order to make our lineup better we need to add a few pieces. Marlon Byrd or Starling Marte would fit perfectly. I would prefer Byrd because a deal for Marte would include one of our top 3 prospects.

Byrd would fill the void left by Michael Saunders injury and also would create a viable threat slotting a legit right handed bat in between Cano and Seager.

A Brad Miller demotion could be on the horizon. He was replaced by Willie Bloomquist last night and Chris Taylor being called up could end up being a win-win scenario.

If Taylor succeeds, Miller becomes a trade asset. If Taylor fails, a demotion for Brad might be the kick in the pants he needed to get back on track.

With all of the rumors floating around, the ones that you should steer clear of are the ones involving David Price and Ben Zobrist.

Tampa Bay will be back and forth on buying and selling all the way up to the deadline. Even if they decide to sell, it will cost the M’s way to much. Making the right moves should not mean handing over the keys to the farm.

If you ask me, the Marlon Byrd, Starling Marte, and Casey McGehee rumors make the most sense. They fill our needs and won’t cost us all of our top 3 prospects.

One thing is clear, time is of the essence for Zduriencik. Oakland, the Angels, and the Yankees have all made moves for an October push and if he wants to get this team into the playoffs for the first time since 2001 he will have to move quickly.

October is on the horizon people; get your popcorn ready! Go Mariners!