The Mariners recently turned down their $ 20million club option on the third baseman Kyle seager and will look to fill that void this winter, but they were also apparently trying to upgrade by the trade deadline. Specifically, they were looking for a versatile player who could handle the third and other positions as well.

According to Shannon Drayer and James Osborn of 710 ESPN Seattle Talking Mariners Podcast, the M’s were one of the teams targeting Kris bryant as the Cubs held their mid-season garage sale.

“They attacked him heavily,” Drayer said. “Obviously they liked him, but they didn’t go far enough. “

Exactly what this means is ambiguous, although hindsight tells us that the Cubs’ booty Caleb Kilian and slugger Alexandre canario was a pretty solid comeback from the Giants. Speaking of which, San Francisco may still have competition from Seattle when it comes to employing Bryant in the future.

“And maybe I live in a different and unrealistic world, but for me the place to look for the long-term answer is third base,” Osborn said. “And whether it’s in the commercial market or the free agent market, I think there is a clear candidate when I hear Jerry dipoto talk about the kind of player they’re looking for, who ticks every box, and probably rechecks them in Sharpie, and that’s Kris Bryant.

Giants president Farhan Zaidi has praised Bryant, and for good reason, but has been somewhat elusive when it comes to locking down the former MVP to move forward. Despite what appears to be a mutual desire to make something work, the Giants have several other players to keep or fit into the fold and might not see Bryant as the number one priority just yet.

“And if that’s the case, you as the Mariners, a guy who plays first, third, corner outfield and center in a pinch defines what you’re looking for,” Drayer said. “Playoff experience, young west coast guy, high school in Nevada, went to college in San Diego, he played for a championship team [the 2016 Cubs, which people forget] who went from nothing to something and broke a curse.

“I mean, everything you want from a guy is right there. And he’s playing the position you’re going to ask him to play, you don’t have to move him anywhere for that to happen.

There is obviously a bit of Homerism in there, but it’s all rooted in reality. Dipoto likes to make splashy moves and the Mariners currently have only around $ 76 million in luxury tax bonds with $ 56 million in real wages. Bryant will earn more each year than Seager would have had on his option and there is still plenty of room to add more players even with a big long-term contract.

Gee, this situation sounds awfully familiar. Is there another team with similar financial flexibility and a need to add good players? Of course, that pesky CBA could mean that the hot stove will be nothing but a pilot light for a while yet.