The Seattle Mariners enter play on Saturday at 22-24 overall and in second place in the American League West, two games behind the Athletics. 

The M's got back to .500 at 19-19 but haven't been able to get back there since, and they will try to do it again by beating the San Diego Padres in the final two games of a three-game series at T-Mobile Park. 

The Mariners will send right-hander Logan Gilbert to the mound against Walker Buehler on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on FOX.

As the M's approach the 50-game mark of the season, it's time to start thinking about what the rest of the summer might look for the defending AL West champions.

Speaking on the most recent edition of the 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast, ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney said he thinks that the Mariners will have a decided advantage in a crowded trade market.

"Last year, talking with a general manager about the trade market, he was lamenting the fact. He goes, 'man, there's just not that many good players out there.'

Well, this year it might be even worse with those conditions because the American League is the land of opportunity. And every team from the White Sox to the Rays to the Yankees is feeling good about their chances to compete for a playoff spot down the stretch.

The National League Central, which has been a source in recent years at times of talent at the trade deadline, guess what? They're all competing. The Cincinnati Reds are last. They're not going to blow it up in midseason.

So that's the first thing. How many good players are actually going to be available?

And this is why I actually think the Mariners will have an advantage at the trade deadline. There are so many general managers these days who either have to win the trade or feel like that they've won the trade. And they're incredibly careful in making deals.

And on the other hand, I think there are a handful of general managers who understand that there's sometimes when trades, you're going to make them and you're going to fill a need. And it might be that in five years, somebody might say, well, 'you didn't win that trade.' And they're fine with that. They understand that's part of it.

AJ Preller is certainly one of those. I think Alex Anthopoulos of the Braves is one of those. Brian Cashman, the Yankees GM, is one of those. And Jerry Dipoto is definitely one of those.

Like, he is excellent in making deals. And that's why, in a thin market, I think the Mariners would have an advantage."

The Mariners have swung big at the trade deadline in the last few years, acquiring Luis Castillo from the Reds in 2022 and both Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez from the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2025.

They made the playoffs both years. They also acquired Randy Arozarena in 2024.

You can listen to the most recent 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast, featuring Rob Bradford of the 'Baseball Isn't Boring' podcast here, and you can also watch the episode on YouTube.

Remember to join our MARINERS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Mariners fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!