Should the Mariners Buy, Sell or Do Nothing at the Trade Deadline? (Poll)

Jul 7, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) celebrates with right fielder Nelson Cruz (23) following a game winning RBI-single against the Detroit Tigers during the eleventh inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Reasons to Buy

The Seattle Mariners are built to win now, and acquiring numerous high level prospects will not help this team win the World Series in the coming seasons. Robinson Cano is 32, Nelson Cruz is 35 and Felix Hernandez is 29. The M’s have a 5-year window to win, and they cannot afford to abandon ship right now. The Mariners have not graced the postseason since 2001, and if they dismantle the current group, it could easily be 15 more years before the streak is broken.

The second wildcard spot has revolutionized the sport, and it is a big reason why the M’s should be buyers on July 31st. Seattle has been a colossal disappointment thus far. They sit 11.5 games back of the American League West leading Los Angeles Angels. However, the Mariners are far from dead in the wildcard race, as they are just 7.5 games back of the Twins for the second wildcard spot. The uninspiring teams in front of Seattle provides fans with a beacon of hope. The Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins have played over their heads in 2015, and can easily be caught during the second half of the season.

Many have suggested that the Mariners should trade J.A. Happ and Austin Jackson on or before July 31st. Happ and Jackson are both set to hit the free agent pool this winter, and neither is a lock to return. However, re-signing these players would likely not break the bank in Seattle, as neither guy is having a stupendous season. Jackson is more likely than Happ to net a big return in the trade market, but both players are considered supplementary pieces and not stars. AJ and Happ are more valuable playing for Seattle than they are as trade bait.

The final reason is perhaps the most significant. Jack Zduriencik is convinced be will be fired if he sells. The Mariners’ and their fans have been more than patient with Jack Z, and he has never rewarded our faith. Known in Milwaukee as a draft guru, Zduriencik has been mediocre at best since becoming General Manager in 2008. The M’s have experienced more 90+ loss seasons (3) than winning seasons (2) under Z’s command.

Next: Why Seattle Should Sell