Mariners Trade Rumors: 3 moves to make before August 1

Move #1: Trade for rotation arm

The Mariners currently have one of the weakest rotations in the MLB. Felix Hernandez and James Paxton have been solid options, but the other three M’s starters are not the options of a playoff team. If they want to break their 16-year playoff drought this season, Dipoto will make a swap for a starting pitcher.

Jeff Samardzija is one potential target. He’s had a tough 2017, and the Mariners could buy lower on him than at other points in his career, but he’s the type of pitcher the M’s could use down the stretch. Fellow Giant Johnny Cueto could also be on the Mariners radar.

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If the Mariners don’t want “Shark,” they could go after another handful of options such as Jhoulys Chacin, Marco Estrada, Francisco Liriano, or Chris Tillman.

The M’s have been linked to Athletics ace Sonny Gray, and while most fans would jump at the chance to get him, it will be hard for the Mariners to outbid the Nationals and Yankees who are also hot on the trail. If they were somehow able to land Gray it would come at a cost that would possibly mortgage their future. This brings us to move #2.