Report: Mariners, Rays having 'ongoing trade discussions' about Price, Zobrist
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With postseason contention a realistic possibility for the first time in years, the Seattle Mariners are reportedly eager to bolster their surging club with some serious talent, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi.
Mariners are having ongoing trade discussions with Rays regarding David Price and Ben Zobrist, sources say. No deal imminent. @FOXSports1
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 17, 2014
Eight games back of a wild-card berth, the Rays are widely expected to trade Price in advance of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, and Ken Rosenthal suggested last week that Seattle is a sensible destination:
The Mariners can afford Price. They won’t get a discount on the acquisition cost, not with other teams certain to be bidding. But they have the players to pull off a deal with the Rays, if Zduriencik and ownership are willing to take a bold stand.
The Mariners would control Price this season and next. They then could make him a qualifying offer and land a high draft pick if he departed as a free agent. Beane used that as part of his rationale for getting Samardzija, knowing he would get something on the back end.
The 28-year-old left-hander recently earned his fourth career All-Star nomination, and owns a sterling 1.92 ERA with a 6.15 strikeout-to-walk ratio since May 30.
Zobrist, meanwhile, would be a nice addition for an offense averaging just 3.98 runs per game, the fourth-worst mark in the American League. The versatile 33-year-old has a $7.5-million team option for 2015, and is hitting .266/.352/.401 (113 OPS+) with 28 extra-base hits and five stolen bases in 83 games this season.