Report: Mariners asked Pirates about McCutchen

The Seattle Mariners may be looking at the trade market for some outfield help.

Seattle reportedly inquired about Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen earlier in the offseason, reports MLB.com's Jon Morosi, citing sources. The Mariners' interest was quickly rebuffed, however, as Morosi adds talks between the two clubs did not advance.

McCutchen has been rumored to be on Pittsburgh's trading block since the final stretch of the regular season, and Pirates manager Clint Hurdle has hinted recently that the club is actively shopping the five-time All-Star outfielder.

Voted NL MVP in 2013, McCutchen has spent his entire eight-year career with the Pirates, who drafted him in the first round of the 2005 MLB draft. The 30-year-old is coming off a down season in 2016, however, as he slashed .256/.336/.430 in 153 games, well below his career .292/.381/.487 line.

With Ben Gamel, Leonys Martin, and Seth Smith currently atop the Mariners' outfield depth chart, Seattle is expected to prioritize finding a starting outfielder this offseason, whether through free agency or a trade.