Mariners pick an awkward moment to experiment on former Rangers starter

Atlanta Braves v Washington Nationals | G Fiume/GettyImagesThe Seattle Mariners picked a really funny time to do the most Mariners thing imaginable.

The Rangers light the division on fire with a blockbuster — MacKenzie Gore in, a boatload of prospects out to the Nationals — and Seattle’s answer, at least on the transaction wire, is a minor-league deal for Dane Dunning.

We’re not going to say the move is useless. It’s just the timing makes it land with a thud.

Because this isn’t the kind of move that signals the Mariners are going for the division. It’s the kind of move that gives them an extra arm to stash in Tacoma for when the schedule gets messy or injuries pop up. And if you’re a Mariners…