Mariners' shopping list in focus as Deadline draws near

WEST SACRAMENTO -- Jerry Dipoto indicated over the weekend that he anticipated more Trade Deadline traction once he and many within the Mariners front office returned from Ichiro Suzuki’s Hall of Fame induction in Cooperstown.

Yet Monday came and went, and so did Tuesday, which included a 6-1 loss to the Athletics at Sutter Health Park that was plagued by a pair of booming homers and six total runs surrendered by rookie Logan Evans.

Will Wednesday move the needle? Or will it all come down to Deadline Day at 3 p.m. PT Thursday?

‘Astronomical’ asking prices expected to drop
It wasn’t just stagnant for Seattle on Tuesday, as across the sport the only trade executed was reliever Seranthony Domínguez going from Baltimore to Toronto.

In that context, all of the Mariners’ targets are still out there, and there’s a sense that asking prices -- at least for the highest-profile players on their wish list -- could come down as soon as Wednesday. But by how much will determine whether the Mariners reach the finish line.

Headlining that group is Eugenio Suárez, who was out of Tuesday’s lineup for the D-backs one day after taking a 95.6 mph fastball off his right hand, though X-rays, an MRI and CT scan all came back clean. Arizona had been seeking multiple Top 100 prospects by MLB Pipeline (the Mariners have eight) -- an asking price one league source described as “astronomical” -- but could reach a reckoning if interested teams continue to balk.

While a “Good Vibes Only” reunion with the slugger would be a storyline for the ages, a source with knowledge of the Mariners’ plans told MLB.com that the club is prepared to reach the Deadline with first baseman Josh Naylor being their splashiest addition. Seattle has also been pursuing Minnesota’s Willi Castro, who’d be a big boon, but his switch-hit and utility tools have drawn increased interest from other contenders, sources have said.

Nonetheless, the Mariners would like to add another bat, even if it’s more of an auxiliary move to lengthen the lineup rather than a middle-of-the-order slugger -- which Naylor is.

The robust relief market
Speaking of Minnesota, the Mariners remain engaged in talks beyond Castro -- and perhaps more acutely to their top priority, on leverage relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax. The Twins, per sources, have been asking for at least two Top 100 prospects on each right-hander, which the Mariners so far are not comfortable with.

Duran (2.01 ERA, 16 saves and a 100.2 mph average fastball velocity) and Jax (2.77 ERA and 35.5% K rate since 2024) are both under club control through 2027. The Pirates could be another team to watch, between closer David Bednar (2.37 ERA and 17 saves) and Dennis Santana (1.36 ERA), who are both under control through 2026.

Seattle could opt for a lower-cost rental then find a longer-term answer this offseason -- they’ve had success in years past unearthing unheralded relievers in Spring Training -- if they don’t align on a price point for Duran, Jax or another proven reliever under club control for multiple years. Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley would fall into this bucket.

The Mariners have also been heavily scouting the Rockies’ bullpen, per sources -- specifically Jake Bird, Seth Halvorsen and Juan Mejia.

"Somewhere in the last day or two, and maybe in the last hour or two, you'll start seeing some of the higher-impact bullpen guys go off the board,” Dipoto told MLB Network Radio. “And we will be as aggressive in that area of the market as just about anybody, I would imagine.”

Where Locklear fits
First baseman Tyler Locklear will be recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday and is expected to contribute in the short-term, with Luke Raley being placed on the 10-day injured list with a back issue as the corresponding move.

Locklear played his way into consideration with a torrid, two-month stretch, leading all qualified Triple-A hitters in homers (16) and RBIs (56) since June 1. Even with Naylor as Seattle’s everyday first baseman, Locklear is expected to play -- whether occasionally in the field or at designated hitter.

Once the Deadline dust settles, depending on if Seattle adds another bat, the odd men out could be struggling veterans Dylan Moore (2-for-58 since May 28) and/or Donovan Solano (4-for-25 in July). Raley, who’d been in a timeshare at first base and right field, already had lost a clear role with the addition of Naylor. But that’s also true of Solano, who has zero at-bats since Naylor arrived.