Boston Red Sox Trade Rumors: Epstein Looking at Seattle Mariners Pitchers?

The Boston Red Sox face the Seattle Mariners in a three-game series at Fenway Park.

As the trade deadline looms, two starters might be on Boston's radar. However, Boston won't be facing either of them. (Hint: it isn't Felix Hernandez.)

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein might be shopping for a starting pitcher, and the last-place Mariners may be open to dealing Doug Fister and Jason Vargas.

According to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, one source described it more as 'throwing bait out there, to see what interest there is,' when describing the possibility of either pitcher being dangled as trade bait.

Tall right-hander Fister, 27, has an impressive earned run average after 139 innings. The 6'8 hurler has a 3.30 ERA, and has thrown three complete games this season.

Left-hander Vargas, 28, has a 3.94 era after more than 130 innings. Last season, Vargas finished the season with a 3.78 ERA after nearly 193 innings. Vargas already has three shutouts this year.

Should Boston pull a trade, it will be very interesting to see who they will give up.

The Mariners might be interested in pitching prospects who could be available to contribute next season, and the Red Sox appear to lack a big name on their Double-A staff. However, Boston has has young bats who might be tempting in a package, such as catcher Ryan Lavarnway, outfielder Chih-Hsien Chiang, and third baseman Will Middlebrooks.