Despite different levels of playoff aspirations this season, these two teams still have aligned incentives.
The conclusion of the All-Star break brings about the second half of the regular season. For most teams, the primary focus (aside from winning games, of course) is the trade deadline.
Over the next few weeks, organizations will finish categorizing themselves as either buyers or sellers, determining current and future roster needs, and identifying their most valuable big league and prospect talent. With the Seattle Mariners still holding a Wild Card spot, most are anticipating them to be aggressive in the pursuit of help and a former trade partner could be the ideal candidate to help them get to the next level.