3 teams the Mariners could trade with as they are reportedly listening to trade proposals for starting pitchers

Being semi-involved in the journalism/media world, you start to notice more at how headlines are formed and which ones are done for attention, and which ones are done solely to report information. You could see a "Mariners looking to trade away starting pitching" as the title, only to see that they are listening as offers come in, and haven't put anyone off limits. That's a misleading title, unless it's explicitly stated within the article.

All to often, it isn't and it's a title that grabs the attention and is drawn from interpretation rather than fact. Think what you want about Jim Bowden, but I do like the style at which he posted his latest tweet regarding the Seattle Mariners.

Nothing misleading. Just the fact that the Mariners are listening to trade proposals for their starting pitchers. Not that they are actively looking to do anything, just that they are keeping their ears open. Maybe it's expected, but it's a good thing to hear.

The part that is a bit hard to understand is the Snell section. Is he saying that if the Mariners trade one of them that they are going to sign Snell? Or just that it would be a next reasonable step to take? I know plenty of people here at Sodo Mojo want the Mariners to sign Snell, so it would definitely make them happy if it happened.

It did get me thinking. If the Mariners were to trade one of their starting pitchers, who would be the most interested or the most likely teams that a deal would happen with? It would likely be Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo, with an outside shot that they go bigger and move Logan Gilbert. Here are the 3 top candidates that I think would end up making a deal with the Mariners.

Trade Candidate #2: Tampa Bay Rays

This is the one that people have been looking at, thinking about, and contemplating all offseason. For good reason too, as it just seems like a match that makes sense. Shoot, it does more than the Orioles one.

The Rays are looking to cut money, as evidenced by the Tyler Glasnow deal. They've always been under $100M, and reports had it that they've never been over $89. They could look to cut cap even further by trading away Arozarena, and he's been the name that Mariners fans really seem to want. Would trading Miller or Woo for Arozarena (and whatever from either side to have it make sense) be the route to take here?

The Rays get what they love, in a young and controllable starting pitcher that is already showing promise. Plug him into the rotation for the next 5 years or so, and you don't have to worry about paying him anything other than his arb numbers, and those are still a few years away from being impactful on that side of things.

The Mariners increase their payroll by a little bit, but get another massively impact bat to pair with Julio. JP, Julio, and Arozarena as your top three (in whatever order you want) would increase this team's ceiling a lot. Or you look at Paredes to play third, which would fit the needs of the Mariners more.

Trade Candidate #3: Boston Red Sox

Yup, every single team is from the AL East. Why? Because I think they all see an opening or potential to make a move and get to a WC spot. Is that worth trading from a position of surplus to meet a need? I think so, and it's why I think all these AL East teams would be interested in a move. They know that the teams in their own division need to do something, so they need to beat them to the punch.

This is another one that we have talked about in the past, although it may hold a little less opportunity now. Duran is still an option as an instant offensive upgrade, but the Mariners OF becomes crowded. Haniger/Raley/Duran, and then you have France/Garver at 1B/DH. Mayer would make more sense, but you have to wonder if he would make enough of an impact right away and be able to play 3B.

The Red Sox definitely need a starting pitcher. Would it be worth it for the Mariners to try and figure out the technicalities of where to put people in order to get a bat like Duran? Do you try and get Duran and Mayer for Gilbert? I see a move with them happening as less likely than it was a month ago before Haniger and Raley got here, but it's still worth it if Jerry can increase value.

There may be other teams out there, like the Cardinals, Rockies, or a surprise candidate. Jerry and Justin never sleep, so if they are listening expect them to be cooking up something fun.