MLB-NEWS: The Boston Red Sox have formally acquired the outstanding shortstop from the Seattle Mariners. A three-year, $145.6 million contract was inked, according to ESPN. following…..

The Seattle Mariners have had a solid 2024 campaign to this point. They are sitting atop the AL West with a record of 47-37. The improved play of the Houston Astros has cut the gap, but the Mariners still hold a 5.5-game lead.

As a result, they should be one of the teams who aggressively pursue upgrades ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline. Who could they look to target?

In the opinion of Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Seattle Mariners have some clear needs on the roster. Upgrading on offense is a must, which makes New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso the best fit for them.

“Deep down, the Mets are grimacing at their recent run of success. They’re too inconsistent to warrant adding players at the deadline if the cost is in prospect capital, and they’re good enough that divesting themselves of a player such as Alonso would send a bad message to their woebegone fan base.

For Seattle, Alonso would represent the middle-of-the-order bopper its current lineup currently lacks — and desperately needs. So if it’s not Alonso, perhaps Tampa Bay third baseman Isaac Paredes. And if not Alonso or Paredes, Angels outfielder Taylor Ward or Detroit outfielder Mark Canha qualify. The point:

Seattle’s pitching warrants the team’s brain trust making an aggressive play before July 30, even if it’s not for Alonso. If it is, there are plenty of DH at-bats going to waste for Seattle, which could entice New York with a far better return than the fourth-round draft pick they’re set to receive if Alonso leaves in free agency this winter,” wrote Passan.