When play resumes on Friday, July 18, the Seattle Mariners will begin in third place in the A.L. West at 51-44, eight games behind the division-leading Oakland Athletics. They also hold the second A.L. Wild card spot, 6.5 games behind the Los Angeles Angels for the first spot. We reported Tuesday about the Mariners’ interest in Philadelphia’s Marlon Byrd as a power-hitting outfielder to help boost their 11th-ranked offense. Now, they appear to want Tampa Bay’s Ben Zobrist as well as the hottest starting pitcher still available in David Price.
Thursday afternoon, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports announced that the Mariners have begun discussions with the Rays that involve both Zobrist, who plays many positions, and Price, the best pitcher on the market and one of the best in the league. However, he also says that nothing is promised.
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
While anyone can see why the Mariners would pursue Price, one may wonder why they would need Zobrist. Morosi answers that question with a tweet that he sent shortly after his first announcement.
Mariners’ talks regarding Price and Zobrist come at a time when progress has stalled in their efforts to acquire Marlon Byrd. @FOXSports1 — Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 17, 2014
The Mariners have allowed the fewest total runs in the American League (tied with Oakland), and their starting rotation trails only Oakland in ERA, 3.16 to 3.09. Price is 9-7 with a 3.23 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 20 starts for the Rays. He is especially hot of late, going 5-3, 2.20 ERA, and 87 strikeouts in 78.1 innings in his last ten starts. He is 80-46 with a 3.20 ERA in his seven-year career. He is eligible for arbitration after the season, and he will likely command a very large raise that Tampa Bay may not want to pay.
Meanwhile, Zobrist plays mainly second base for Tampa Bay, but Seattle is set at that position with Robinson Cano for the next ten years. Zobrist, though, could play the outfield, especially in right, where the Mariners have had a revolving door.
The switch-hitting Zobrist is hitting .266 with 6 HR and 24 RBI in 83 games, which is very similar to Michael Saunders‘s .276, 6 HR, and 28 RBI in 65 games. Zobrist, though, has hit 20+ home runs in a season three times with a career high of 27. Should the talks forByrd fall off, Zobrist could become a valuable alternative, especially if they can get him in a package deal with Price.
PHOTO CREDIT: www.prosportsextra.com
