MLB Rumors: Could Mariners steal a top trade target from Yankees?
The New York Yankees' interest in Cubs star Cody Bellinger is already well-documented. With Chicago looking more and more like sellers at the deadline, Bellinger stands out as one of the most desirable sluggers ready to be dealt to the highest bidder. Bellinger is currently hitting .319 with 14 homers and 44 RBIs in 68 games.
If the Yankees aren't willing to pay the Cubs' high price tag, the Seattle Mariners could swoop in with a trade of their own.
According to The Athletic's Jim Bowden (subscription required), the Mariners will be on both sides of the market and may consider adding Bellinger, among other offensive options:
Look for them to add players with an emphasis on improving their offense's on-base percentage. They could match up well in trades with the Nationals (Lane Thomas and Joey Meneses), Rockies (Ryan McMahon, Jurickson Profar), A's (Brent Rooker) and Cubs (Cody Bellinger).
Seattle, currently 5.5 games from a wild card spot, has been no stranger to blockbuster trade rumors, most recently linked to phenom Shohei Ohtani. The Mariners are going to be busy this summer.
MLB Rumors: Yankees, Phillies in trade showdown for top OF at deadline
The Yankees want Dylan Carlson. The Philadelphia Phillies want Dylan Carlson. Any upcoming trade with the Cardinals could get intense.
The Cardinals' fire sale pieces could turn playoff pretenders into serious contenders this postseason, and at the very top of the list is outfielder Dylan Carlson. The 24-year-old has an incredible on-base percentage and is batting .233 with five homers and 24 RBIs this season.
The Athletic's Jim Bowden (subscription required) recently wrote that both the Yankees and Phillies "have interest" in Carlson and could engage in a competitive bidding war for the star's services.
What could a potential trade look like?
The Yankees could deal Randy Vasquez, Clayton Beeter, and Ron Marinaccio to the Cards for Carlson. As for the Phillies, the organization could consider parting ways with Kyle Schwarber, Johan Rojas, Andrew Painter, and Taijuan Walker, among other candidates.
MLB Rumors: Mariners-Reds trade could help both teams reach playoffs
The Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds are in a position to help each other out — a mutually beneficial transaction, if you will. Seattle is looking for a second baseman and may be eyeing Reds star Jonathan India, the 2021 Rookie of the Year with tremendous power and speed.
Cincinnati could use pitching help and may be eyeing Seattle star Bryan Woo in return.
Now, according to The Athletic's Bowden, Seattle has no interest in widely shopping Woo. However, the Mariners may consider a direct buyer-to-buyer trade with Cincy: India for Woo.
The Mariners are not shopping [Woo], but a buyer-to-buyer type trade for Reds second baseman Jonathan India is possible.
It was recently speculated that the Reds would trade India for "young, controllable starting pitching"; Woo, one of Seattle's top prospects, may theoretically fit the bill.