Pat Gillick could be a front-office option for the Mariners

Don’t be surprised if Seattle surfaces as an option for Hall of Fame member Pat Gillick, who is under consideration for the team president’s job with the Chicago Cubs. The Mariners’ collapse has cut into General Manager Jack Zduriencik’s standing in a season in which his contract is up. Gillick and his wife live in Seattle. … As they slide down the standings, the Tampa Bay Rays are more serious about trading B.J. Upton. A lot of teams are inquiring about James Shields, but GM Andrew Friedman would have to be overwhelmed to deal him. The New York Yankees supposedly were told Shields is not available. … Although the Cubs’ Carlos Pena has hit 20 home runs since May 2, he hasn’t attracted much interest on the trade market. … Stephen Strasburg cleared a hurdle when he pitched a simulated game last week. He’s still shooting to make a few starts in September for the Washington Nationals. They could be busy this week, with Jason Marquis on the market and Chien-Ming Wang at the end of his rehab stint after a shoulder overhaul. … Kansas City Royals GM Dayton Moore downplays the chances of a Joakim Soria trade, but he told MLB Network he would consider moving him if somebody offered two starting pitchers — one ready now and another who can be ready by 2013. … J.P. Ricciardi, an advisor to Sandy Alderson with the New York Mets, recently scouted the Boston Red Sox’s double-A team, leading to speculation about a Carlos Beltran trade to Boston. The Red Sox reportedly have inquired about Ubaldo Jimenez, Felix Hernandez, Jose Reyes, Jeff Francoeur, Jeff Baker, Michael Cuddyer, Ty Wigginton, Hiroki Kuroda, Ted Lilly, Jeremy Guthrie, Ryan Ludwick, Josh Willingham, Conor Jackson, Ryan Spilborghs and Mike Adams. … The Atlanta Braves continue their slow search for a right-handed-hitting outfielder and a right-handed reliever.

— Phil Rogers