In this Mariners trade rumors update, the Seattle Mariners are looking to acquire an impact right-handed bat before the July 31st MLB trade deadline. Despite what has been a rough year so far for him, the Mariners could be looking at Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler as a potential option.
According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the Mariners are being exhaustive in their search with Butler one of the names they've inquired about:
#Mariners casting a wide net in search of a bat. They've even talked to #royals about Billy Butler (he of the .355 SLG%)
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 15, 2014
Butler is posting career-lows in both batting average (.273) and slugging percentage (.355) this season, while hitting just three home runs in 379 plate appearances.
However, Butler is just 28 years old and has a solid if not spectacular track record as a hitter. From 2009-12, Butler posted an OPS each year in the range of .820 to .885. That plummeted to .787 in 2013 and down to an alarming .679 so far this season.
If the Mariners were to pick up Butler, they would be on the line for the remainder of his $8 million salary this season, with a $12.5 million team option or $1 million buyout for 2015. Seattle will have to weigh Butler's previous value as a hitter against his struggles in the short-term, in order to figure out if he is worth the investment.
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