Mariners Trade Rumors: Mariners still pursuing Marlon Byrd, two others

In today's Mariners trade rumors and news update, the Seattle Mariners remain interested Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Marlon Byrd, along with two other potential lineup upgrades in the trade market.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, "the Mariners are interested in fortifying their lineup, and also have talked about the Twins' Josh Willingham, the White Sox's Dayan Viciedo and the Phillies' Marlon Byrd, though a trade for Byrd, whose four-team no-trade clause includes Seattle, is said to be "less than likely" now by a league source."

One of the main reasons why Byrd isn't looking likely at this juncture is Byrd's expressed desire to remain in Philadelphia. Byrd is said to be against making such a pronounced geographic move - a problem that the Mariners are also encountering in their rumored pursuit of Tampa Bay Rays starter David Price.

Willingham and Viciedo would seem to be likelier, perhaps cheaper options for the Mariners as they search for an impact bat. However, with just under two weeks until the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline, the Mariners will have to act fast on one of them before the craziness of the market begins to raise their prices.

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