Division-leading Mariners might have big deadline plans

The Seattle Mariners are emerging as a team likely to be very active ahead of the July 30 trade deadline.

A new report from Will Sammon, Patrick Mooney and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic suggests the Mariners intend to be “aggressive” in trying to bolster their offense over the next month. In addition, the team does not expect money to be an issue, Seattle could be willing to make a big addition.

They have done it rather quietly, but the Mariners are 44-33 entering play Friday, eight games ahead of the second-place Houston Astros in the AL West. They certainly appear to be on the way to the playoffs, but are 22nd in the majors in runs scored. They have been powered by their pitching, but might need another bat to be considered a serious title contender.

The Mariners have already been linked to perhaps the biggest bat on the market right now. That situation could bear watching over the next few weeks, as Seattle does have the minor league prospects to get something significant done.