Back to back blowout losses to a 38-58 Cleveland Indians squad have made the Seattle Mariners look a lot less like contenders.  They now sit 7.5 back in the AL West and 6.5 back in the Wildcard with less than a week until the trade deadline.

I would think that the team would still be in “buying while selling” mode.  It’s very unlikely for the Mariners to make up enough ground to be playoff bound this season, but it’s far from impossible. But if the team decided to be sellers it wouldn’t exactly be surprising given the state of the farm system and projected 2010 big league roster.

The rumored Seattle-Cleveland-Tampa Bay three way trade from Saturday would be an example of a deal that helps the team this year and next year.  I had a quick rundown of what the rumor entails, and have since found that the rumor actually does have legs, but with more players involved and cash exchanging hands.  Reid Brignac would become the everyday shortstop for this year and beyond while Scott Kazmir would solidify the top of the rotation whenever Jarrod Washburn and Erik Bedard leave, whether it be by trade, injury or free agency.  I would expect some cash to be coming Seattle’s way as well to help cover part of Kazmir’s salary.  By the way, if you’re concerned about giving up on Morrow so early in his development, keep in mind that he’s the same age as Kazmir, as I was reminded earlier.

Some Seattle Mariner trade chips (in no particular order):

Erik Bedard - If the above trade went through it would help Bedard’s value as two of the top lefty starters would be taken off the market.  But his value is suffering given his injury setback a month ago and the concern of manager Don Wakamatsu that he’s hurting again, as well as his inability to get deep into ballgames.  If the team gets surprised by an offer I think they’ll move him, but if they don’t get what they want they should be happy to try and sign him to a cheap extension or collect the compensatory draft pick.

Jarrod Washburn – I didn’t think the Mariners would keep Washburn if they closed the gap, and now that the team has fallen back even further I think it’s just a short matter of time before he’s wearing another team’s colors.  I know he says he wants to stay and that he wants an extension, but if the team wants him next season they can go out and sign him as a free agent.  I know it rarely happens, but Washburn fits the profile of the player that would be open to it.  He was considering retirement, has already won a World Series and has gotten the one giant contract every player is looking for, so at this point he’s probably looking for comfort.  Like Bedard, Washburn would benefit by Kazmir and Lee being taken off the market.  Right now it seems that the Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers and Brewers have the most interest.

Russell Branyan – Early in the year when most of us expected the Mariners to fall out of the race by June, Branyan seemed like a great trade candidate.  The team signed him for pennies, so turning him into real live prospects seemed like a great way to maximize an already glowing investment.  But it’s become apparent that the Mariners would have a hard time producing without Branyan, so it seemed that he was here to stay.  If the Mariners continue to slide the next few days, I think the team could really look to deal him.  The Giants seem like a good fit, as do the Red Sox and Tigers.

Kenji Johjima - He might be the most unlikely Mariner to be traded after Carlos Silva given his terrible contract, but I don’t think there are very many people who expect him to be a Mariner next season.  I’m not sure if there are any good fits out there, but the Yankees might be the closest thing to one.

Wladimir Balentien – DFA’d to make room for Michael Saunders, Wlad will find his way into a trade sooner than later.  The Pirates like him, so perhaps he could be used in a deal that would help get Ian Snell or Freddy Sanchez.  But a million other minor deals could happen or he could be used as sweetener in a bigger deal.

Jeff Clement - I was a giant fan when he first burst onto the scene, but it’s become clear that Clement is not someone the new regime plans on using down the road.  Adam Moore is almost big league ready, manager Don Wakamatsu love Rob Johnson, Johjima is here for now and Clement can’t seem to keep his knee healthy.  He’s been cleared to start catching again but Moore isn’t going to let him get back into it, so another team that wants to take a chance on him as a catcher could come calling.

Relievers - I don’t necessarily see anyone not named Miguel Batista leaving if the M’s can gain some ground in the next week, but if the team continues to fall some guys should be made available.  David Aardsma especially could bring back much more than he’s worth.

Brandon Morrow – Rumored to be in that three way trade alongside Jeff Clement, most people I’ve talked to get the impression that the organization doesn’t like Mr. Morrow very much,and I’ve been feeling the same way.  I’d love for the team to keep him and develop him as a starter, but as noted above he’s getting a little old to be starting his transition to becoming a big league starter and GM Jack Zduriencik seems like he’s more than happy to get rid of anyone linked to the old regime.  His power arm and highly publicized showing in his first big league start should give him a lot of trade value.

Jose Lopez – I find it hard to imagine Lopez in a Mariners uniform next season.  He looks like he’s gaining wait and he’s looking worse and worse defensively.  He could be an adequate defender at third or first, but the bat doesn’t play there.  The Mariners will want to upgrade defensively and get rid of the biggest hacker on the team.  If they can find a team out there that thinks he’s still a second baseman, expect them to deal him.  They’ll probably have to obtain another middle infielder first, however.