Three-Quarters of MLB Is Still In It, and the Mariners Can't Afford To Miss What Comes Next
Woof. That 4-3 loss to the Guardians stings, doesn't it? Our boys fought, but a tough one at the end. As much as we bleed green and blue and obsess over every pitch at T-Mobile Park, we gotta zoom out for a second, because what's happening around the league right now is absolutely bonkers, and it's gonna affect our M's.
Get this: The MLB Trade Deadline is just six weeks away, August 3rd. But unlike most years, clarity in the standings is basically nonexistent. Nearly three-quarters of all teams are within three games of a playoff spot! Seriously, identifying who's gonna be a seller is pure guesswork. This chaos means opportunities, and our Emerald City team better be ready to pounce.
Trade on Every Game with Kalshi
Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.
Skubal's Name Is Everywhere, But Don't Count The Tigers Out Yet
The name on everyone's lips for the Deadline? Tarik Skubal. This dude is the Tigers' ace, a pending free agent, and the chatter is only gonna get louder. You'd think he's a sure thing to move, right? But the Tigers haven't committed to selling, not after their wild turnaround in June.
Remember how awful Detroit was in May? They went 6-22 and were outscored by a whopping 48 runs. Brutal. But they've completely flipped the script in June, putting up a 13-9 record with a +40 run differential! Following Friday's win, they're just five games out in the murky AL Wild Card race. This kind of volatility is exactly why this Deadline is so unpredictable.
Other Big Names Could Shift the Landscape
Skubal isn't the only one stirring up the hot stove talk. Across both leagues, there are a ton of interesting players caught in this buyer/seller limbo. Look at the Astros, our AL West rivals. They started 20-31, but then went 20-12, putting them at 40-43 and right back in the mix. They probably won't have a fire sale, but third baseman Isaac Paredes, controllable through 2027, could be moved to bolster their farm or get an MLB-ready arm. Jeremy Peña, their shortstop, would fetch more, but he's more of an offseason target.
Then there's Kevin Gausman, the Blue Jays' starter. After a heartbreaking World Series loss in 2025, they've spent most of this season below .500. Still, they're mere percentage points behind the Astros for the third AL Wild Card spot! If they slide further, Gausman, in the final year of a five-year, $110 million deal, could be a huge get. His 7.62 ERA in June is rough, but his track record is undeniable.
Over in the NL, Dustin May (Cardinals) was signed for one year, $12.5 million, and looked like an obvious Deadline flip. St. Louis signaled a rebuild by trading some big names in the offseason. But then, they had a strong first half, making his future uncertain. If they fade, though, he's probably gone. May had a 2.54 ERA and 2.69 FIP in 12 starts before giving up six runs his last time out, so he's got talent.
And what about Eduardo Rodriguez from the D-backs? He's above .500, but their rotation is a mess with injuries and struggles. E-Rod is under contract through 2027 but is having a rebound year with a 2.27 ERA after two seasons over 5.00. Even with questionable peripherals (4.06 FIP, 4.77 xERA), teams need pitching, and Arizona could capitalize on his value.
It's a wild time in baseball, Seattle. Every team, including our M's, has to be eyeing these situations. The next few weeks are critical, and what happens around the league will absolutely dictate the second half of our season. Keep your eyes peeled and let's go Mariners!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.