If you ask any fan what the Seattle Mariners need at the upcoming Aug. 3 trade deadline, they will undoubtedly answer: A right-handed hitter and a high-leverage reliever.

While the offense is an overtly glaring need for this group, don't undersell the importance of a reliever as well.

With Matt Brash, Carlos Vargas and Cooper Criswell all on the injured list, the M's have been operating shorthanded much of the year, and that's even more so as they continue to utilize a six-man rotation and a bullpen that's one physical player short.

Well, apparently the M's front office agrees with the assessment of their roster, as former MLB general manager Jim Duquette reports that the Mariners are one of the team's being most aggressive in pursuit of New York Mets' reliever Luke Weaver. He makes it seem like 15 teams could be in on Weaver at this point.

Here's what you need to know:

Now 32 years old, Weaver is an 11-year veteran of the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Mariners, New York Yankees and Mets.

A former starter, Weaver didn't really become a reliever until the Mariners had him for just five games in 2023. After those five games, four of which were as a reliever, he started three games for the Yankees, but took off as a full-time reliever in 2024, going 7-3 with a 2.89 ERA in 62 games. He made 64 more appearances for the Yankees in 2025 and then signed a two-year deal with the Mets before this season. He's gone 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA, striking out 43 batters in 42.0 innings.

His FIP (Fielding Independent ERA) is 2.92, suggesting he's gotten somewhat lucky with his results, though he's still been solid.

He's under contract for $11 million in 2027 as well.

Well, it really depends on a few factors:

What do the Mets value? The cost savings or a player-driven return? If the Mariners offer to take the entirety of Weaver's salary, does that entice them enough so that the M's don't have to give up a huge player return? Are other teams offering to do the same?

Since the Mets have just about the deepest pockets in the sport, are they offering to pay the full freight themselves so that they can buy the best possible package of players? And are the Mariners comfortable giving that up for a player with 1.5 years left of team control? Especially if that year is impacted by a labor stoppage?

The Mariners and Rangers will finish out the series at 11:35 a.m. PT on Monday. While Rocker goes for Texas, the Mariners will send George Kirby to the mound. Seattle is 52-54 and 1.5 games back of Texas in the American League West.

The latest edition of the 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast, featuring Seattle Mariners Insider Shannon Drayer, is out now. You can listen here, or you can watch in the YouTube player below.

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