The Seattle Mariners are in a playoff race, but their lineup lacks power beyond All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh. Speculation surrounds the potential acquisition of Alex Bregman from the Boston Red Sox to address their needs, particularly at third base. ESPN's Jeff Passan suggests that for a team like the Mariners, a trade for Bregman would make sense, despite their previous hesitance to invest significantly in players that could enhance their roster.

To make such a deal, the Mariners would likely need to part with top catching prospect Harry Ford, who recently showcased his talent with a three-run homer in the AAA Tacoma Rainiers' victory. With Raleigh thriving in the majors and Ford representing Seattle in the MLB Futures Game for the third consecutive year, the Mariners' catching depth could facilitate a trade to strengthen their lineup ahead of the July 31 deadline.

Josh Hader continues to dominate as the best closer in baseball, securing his 24th save this week for the Houston Astros with a stellar performance against the Cubs and Rockies. His setup man, Bryan Abreu, is also excelling with 21 holds and a remarkable K/BB ratio. Andrés Muñoz returned for the Seattle Mariners, claiming his first save since June 8 after a rough patch, while Edwin Díaz's consistent scoring adds to his impressive season stats. Aroldis Chapman remains a formidable force for the Boston Red Sox, boasting 15 consecutive appearances without an earned run. Meanwhile, rising star Randy Rodríguez is emerging as a potential closer-in-waiting for the San Francisco Giants, leading middle relievers in WAR.

Cal Raleigh has made a significant impact in the MLB this season, earning his first All-Star selection after a remarkable start where he leads the league with 33 home runs and boasts a .272 batting average. His unique nickname, 'Big Dumper,' has resonated with fans as the Seattle Mariners promote him through creative social media campaigns. Raleigh, acknowledging the challenges of being in the public eye, expressed relief that the intense voting period has concluded. He celebrated this milestone with his teammates, focusing on their ultimate goal of winning a World Series.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will feature three fan-elected All-Stars in the upcoming game, with first baseman Freddie Freeman and catcher Will Smith joining designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. This marks a significant moment as Freeman heads back to Atlanta, where he previously played for 11 seasons. Additionally, the Detroit Tigers will have three fan-picked starters, their first since 2007, led by Gleyber Torres and outfielders Riley Greene and Javier Báez. Other notable selections include Cal Raleigh of Seattle and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of Toronto for the American League.

In a tight race for the last AL outfield slot, Báez edged out Mike Trout with a narrow win. The 2023 All-Star Game, set for July 15 at Atlanta's Truist Park, will feature a mix of veterans and newcomers, with nine first-time starters making the cut. The announcement for pitchers and reserves is expected soon, adding to the excitement as fans anticipate the matchup.

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh leads the MLB in home runs with 33 and RBIs with 71. He's joined in the AL All-Star Game starting lineup by rookie sensation Jacob Wilson of the Athletics, who boasts a .339 batting average. Three players from the Detroit Tigers, including Gleyber Torres, add to the excitement. The NL lineup features three Dodgers, including Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani, who topped the NL voting. Remarkably, Ronald Acuña Jr. secured a starting spot despite an early-season injury.

The All-Star Game, set for July 15 in Atlanta, showcases talent from 13 MLB teams, with 18 positional starters overall. Highlights include the history-making rookie Wilson, the Tigers' 1984 record-tying three starters, and multi-position All-Star Javier Baez's third All-Star start.