Mariners have to do a better job at this trade deadline than in 2009

Two years ago, the Mariners were in contention through mid-July, but, having not added needed offense via trade, ultimately fell out of the race. They got hammered three in a row at home by Cleveland and fell 7 1/2 games back. They were that same 7 1/2 games back when, on July 29, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik acquired shortstop Jack Wilson and pitcher Ian Snell from Pittsburgh for catcher Jeff Clement, shortstop Ronny Cedeno and three minor leaguers. Two days later, he shipped off Jarrod Washburn to Detroit for minor league pitchers Luke French (had just been called up) and Mauricio Robles. Now, at the time, Zduriencik told reporters that he wasn't "buying" or "selling" but merely trying to make the team better. Well, maybe, but that doesn't seem to have been the case with the Washburn deal. Teams don't get better right away by trading a guy with the third-best ERA in the league for minor league projects. Maybe down the road they do. But not pres...