The All-Star break is here for 2014 and that means trade rumors heading into the deadline and David Price from the Rays is a major target for the Indians and Mariners, while Seattle is also looking at other players like Marlon Byrd, Bartolo Colon, Josh Willingham, Matt Kemp and Dayan Viciedo heading into the back stretch, as the team is in the second wild card heading into the second half.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians could be a surprise team in line to trade for David Price, while the Seattle Mariners have also been linked to Price in the past year. The Rays are making a push towards the second half of the season to pull themselves out of their terrible start and that could keep the Rays from trading Price. According to the CPD, Price is a main target for the team and Indians scouts have been looking at Rays players to see who could potentially be involved in a deal.
The Indians are a bit far back in the standings right now in the wild card, but Terry Francona said that the team can stay in the mix until the end. Last season the team did that and made it in and now they will be looking at making a deal. Justin Masterson has been terrible and has an ERA over 5.00 and adding price would be huge, as he is having a great season for the Rays.
According to Lookout Landing, the Mariners are looking at a number of trades and one report had the team looking hard at Marlon Byrd. The Phillies have been terrible and they could trade Byrd, who has a no-trade clause to the M's, but he said he would consider waiving that. The team has also been in on Price and now reports say the team could also look at Matt Kemp or Bartolo Colon. The Mets and Dodgers appear willing to deal and now it depends on what the Mainers would want to give up in a deal.
The Mariners come into the All-Star break as the second wild card team in the American League and that has put some pressure on the front office to make some moves heading into the second half. The team has been playing very well, but they need some help in the rotation and especially in the lineup, as right handed bat is sorely missing and that appears to be the main target for the team if they plan on making trades.
The Mariners come in leading the wild card standings by 2.5 games over the Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays, but the team knows that doesn't mean anything. The Mariners may have a spot in the rotation ready, as Chris Young is heading towards the most innings he has pitched in a while, while Roenis Elias is nearing his all-time high and Taijuan Walker is no guarantee. With James Paxton also on his way back, there is a chance that the team will need another solid starter down the stretch.