Mariners to pursue free-agent options before opting for trades

The Seattle Mariners will try to address their need in the outfield through free agency before trading from their roster. 

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Tuesday that the Mariners would like to get Atlanta Braves outfielder Justin Upton but are expected to explore the free-agent market first, namely Nelson Cruz.  

Seattle is desperate to add offense as they featured the weakest-hitting outfield in the American League last season. 

Cruz presents the best available option on the free-agent market, and he's coming off a 40-home run campaign with the Baltimore Orioles. Mariners chairman Howard Lincoln reportedly withheld his approval to sign Cruz last year due to his previous suspension for PED use, though a team official told Jon Morosi of FOX Sports that the two sides never reached an agreement anyway.

Morosi reported on Tuesday that the Mariners have met already met with Cruz. They've also have had preliminary talks with several teams about prospective trades - including the Boston Red Sox with Yoenis Cespedes, the Los Angeles Dodgers with Matt Kemp and the Braves and Upton. 

Upton doesn't have the Mariners as one of the four teams on his no-trade list so the potential for a deal could be available should they fail to ink a free agent.