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Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

The Seattle Mariners find themselves at a familiar crossroads: good enough to contend, but not complete enough to feel confident in October.

Powered by one of baseball’s best rotations and an MVP-caliber season from catcher Cal Raleigh, Seattle is within striking distance of making a legitimate push toward the postseason.

According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic , Seattle may be one impact bat and one quality reliever from having a roster capable of making that run. Ownership has made it clear it's willing to increase payroll to facilitate a major move or two, and president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has a farm system as one of the league's deepest, giving him the flexibility to get creative.

"There can be no excuses this year. The Mariners must add those missing pieces and give themselves their best chance of winning it all since Lou Piniella managed the club to a 116-win season in 2001," Bowden writes.

Ryan O'Hearn, Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suárez, Luis Robert Jr., and Kyle Stowers are among the names Bowden identifies as fits for Seattle’s lineup needs, with plenty of bullpen options also available on the market.

Adam Jude of the Seattle Times reported Tuesday that Suárez is viewed as the Mariners top target in its well-known search for a corner infield upgrade.

But for a fanbase that's grown restless with the organization's cautious approach in recent years, this years deadline carries more than just roster implications. It's a test of this front office's willingness to act when opportunity knocks. The Mariners have the need, the resources, and the green light to make significant moves. There are no excuses left.

That's why Bowden points out the urgency surrounding Dipoto specifically. The window isn't going to stay open forever, and with so much already in place, the pressure is on this front office to deliver.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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