Mariners Rumors: MLB Insiders early list of trade deadline targets could provide huge opportunity for Mariners

The way that this Mariners season is going, there should be little doubt about the team being aggressive at the trade deadline come July and August. The depth that the Mariners have built is solid; this is something that the Mariners have lacked in the last few years.

The problem with the team this year is that they are lacking a true "middle of the order" bat. Granted, guys like Julio, Garver, Haniger, Polanco, and France aren't hitting like the back of their baseball card says they should, especially in the home run department, but they could really use some thump in the lineup. They have three spots where you should be getting a lot of production, and they just aren't. The Mariners' corner outfielders and first baseman are struggling so far.

Mariners left fielders have combined for four home runs and an 88 wRC+, whereas the right fielders haven't been much better, with just six home runs and an 82 wRC+. One of the biggest production spots in the field, first base, has produced just three home runs and a 93 wRC+ for the Mariners. This obviously isn't ideal for a team that desperately needs some impact. Luckily for the Mariners, there is tons of impact that could be available at the trade deadline this year, and Dipoto and Hollander could look to make a Luis Castillo-like trade and extend type of move.

MLB Insider, Jon Heyman released his "early trade deadline candidates" and Mariners fans can fantasize about a lineup featuring a number of these players.

Heyman's list has a number of players that would make the Mariners an instant World Series caliber team

1. Nolan Arenado STL
2. Bo Bichette TOR
3. Pete Alonso NYM
4. Kyle Tucker HOU
5. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
6. Luis Robert CHW
7. Jesus Luzardo MIA
8. Justin Verlander HOU
9. Alex Bregman 3B
10. Michael Conforto SFG

When you look at this group of players there could be some difficulties in trade talks. The Blue Jays and Mariners are both teams that could be fighting for playoff spots for years to come but have made trades before. The Astros and Mariners line up well, but a superstar type of trade would be difficult; though I would love to put Bregman or, more specifically, Kyle Tucker, in the three-hole behind Julio.

As you can see, there is tons of potential even throughout the list with hometown outfielder, Michael Conforto, putting up what looks like it could be a career-type year. He would fit nicely in a corner spot and in the middle of the lineup behind Julio; he also would not cast that much as he is on an expiring contract.

No matter who you look at right now, these are all teams that, in theory, have the makings of a playoff team. A lot can change over the next month or two, but it is fun to look at who could be on the market and dream about them in the Mariners colors. Hopefully, some of the big bats for the Mariners can start producing and the need for impact isn't as pressing, but you never know with "Trader Jerry".