The Seattle Mariners would like to trade for a controllable bat this summer, and they've targeted the St. Louis Cardinals' Allen Craig as one possible option, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Mariners are in last place in the AL West, but they're looking for a hitter that can improve their lineup over the next few seasons.
Craig would presumably qualify, as the 27-year-old has hit .295/.361/.573 with 15 homers in 255 plate appearances with St. Louis this season. It's not a big fluke, either, as he's now compiled a .304/.362/.564 line with 33 doubles and 26 homers over 474 PA's in the big leagues since the beginning of last season.
Craig is the kind of long-term asset that Seattle appears to be seeking, too, as he'll be under team control until 2016. The Mariners are trying to build a new lineup around Jesus Montero, Dustin Ackley, Kyle Seager and company, but they still have the worst run-scoring offense in the AL so far this season.
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