Just a few days ago I suggested that if the Mariners went 5-4 on their nine-game road swing against tough competiton, they’d be in the position to be buyers before the trade deadline. So far, they’ve gotten off to a good start, taking two of three heading into the start of the series against New York today.

The problem now, however, is that Seattle is running out of bodies. The Mariners are now the walking wounded, with three regulars (Adrian Beltre, Yuniesky Betancourt and Endy Chavez) and one starter (Erik Bedard) on the disabled list. Beltre, Bedard and Betancourt were considered some of the M’s strongest trade pieces, which means Seattle is trying to improve itself without any assets in which to deal.

Seattle just gave up on Mike Morse, dealing a once-promising prospect away for Ryan Langerhans, another once-promising prospect in a ho-hum trade. That’s important, however, because Morse could have been an additional piece used to pry a better player away in a multi-player swap.

Beltre’s injury leaves a gaping hole at third that Seattle doesn’t seem capable of filling with Jose Lopez and/or Chris Woodward. First of all, why mess with Lopez when he’s been one of your only consistent offensive producers? Leave him be at second and don’t add the additional stress of worrying about defense at third.

Geoff Baker over at the Times posits that the M’s could be interested in Colorado’s Garrett Atkins in exchange for Miguel Batista, but I’m not sure that’s enough for the Rockies to make the move.

The Mariners’ two best, healthy trade pieces, Jarrod Washburn and Russell Branyan, would seem to be off limits because any deal for those players would weaken, rather than strengthen the team. There was some talk of a Washburn for Juan Pierre deal a few days ago, but this doesn’t work for a couple of reasons: first, Pierre makes a ton of money, and the M’s don’t want to take his contract on. Second, Seattle has enough speedy outfielder types – the M’s need a big bopper.

So who’s left? Do the M’s dip into the minors and deal Jeff Clement? Can they try and convince someone that Kenji Johjima is worth his ridiculous deal? Jackie Z has done some spectacular work in his first season as GM, but if he pulls something productive off now, it will be considered a minor miracle.