Troy Tulowitzki said he's not going to request a trade. The Colorado Rockies said they aren't going to trade him. However, teams are more than likely interested in acquiring the All-Star shortstop and rumors will continue to swirl.
Is one of those clubs the Seattle Mariners?
Seattle (21-23) has been performing below expectations this season and currently sit seven games behind the Houston Astros for first place in the AL West. Their offense ranks 27th in the MLB in runs scored (165), 27th in on-base percentage (.298) and 17th in OPS (.704) with a lineup that consists of Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Kyle Seager and others.
They have a glaring problem at shortstop with the duo of Brad Miller - who is in the process of being moved into a "super utility" role according to manager Lloyd McClendon - and Chris Taylor. Miller is batting .246/.313/.446 with 13 runs scored, 5 home runs and 14 RBIs in 41 games while Taylor is slashing .182/.250/.236 with four runs scored and one RBI in 16 games.
They're both still very young, but the team's ownership likely doesn't want to wait much longer for the team to reach the postseason because they've sunk a ton of money into the franchise over the last few seasons.
The Mariners currently have a payroll just above $123 million, and acquiring Tulowitzki would significantly increase that because he's owed $113 million over the next six seasons, including $20 million in each of the next five.
"There has to be a subsidy on the salary," one National League general manager told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. "But I think they'll be able to move him. Too good of a player to be out there without someone taking him."
"Could that team be the Mariners?" Cafardo posited. "It would take some convincing of ownership to take on the money, but the underachieving Mariners need stability at shortstop and in their lineup. Tulowitzki with Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano, and Kyle Seager is pretty formidable, and using Brad Miller as a super-utilityman makes sense."
Joel Sherman of the New York Post, who initially reported Tulowitzki was considering asking the Rockies for a trade, listed the Mariners as a potential destination for the shortstop.
Shortly after the report, Stephen Cohen of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer conducted a poll and asked fans, "Should the Mariners make a run at shortstop Troy Tulowitzki?"
The fans did not seem to like the idea. There were five responses and here's the breakdown below:
36% - No: He's way too expensive and way too injury-prone
25% - Maybe: But only if it won't cost them a top prospect
18% - Yes: Tulowitzki is a proven star. World Series or bust!
11% - Sure: They should pick him up and figure out the long-term ramifications later
10% - Nah: Offense will be fine without him
"Whom would the Mariners have to part with for his service?" Cohen asked. "Miller or Taylor could be included in a swap, but a deal would also likely require one of Seattle's top prospects, such as infielder D.J. Peterson or outfielder Alex Jackson, or one of the M's young starters like Taijuan Walker."
That probably isn't something general manager Jack Zduriencik would be ready to jump the gun on, but if the offensive woes continue then the Mariners may have to consider a trade before the deadline.
Keep an eye out for their potential interest in Tulowitzki.
