Report: Mariners’ Felix Hernandez, Dustin Ackley, Kyle Seager All ‘Untouchable’ at Trade Deadline

If any MLB team hopes to compete for a championship then they first need the pieces capable of accomplishing such a feat. The Seattle Mariners are nowhere near contention with their current roster, and are in need of a major overhaul. Yet, even given a woeful start to 2012, the M's seem unlikely to be sellers as this year's trade deadline approaches.

Mariners ace Felix Hernandez and middle infielders Kyle Seager and Dustin Ackley are reportedly untouchable at this year's trade deadline, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

It's a surprising decision, considering the M's aren't going anywhere with or without King Felix, who is their biggest trade chip by far. Seattle enters the second half at an AL-worst 36-51 and any likely package for Hernandez wouldn't make a difference in their immediate fortunes.

Seager and Ackley are big names in Seattle, but haven't garnered the same type of respect across the rest of the league. They are middle infielders yet to firmly establish themselves at the major league level, but the Mariners clearly see something in them that other teams don't. Both players are off limits for a reason, and the M's are drawing a line in the sand on three players.

For now, the Mariners seem content with their current makeup and may be preparing to build a winner rather than buy one. Either way, the pipe dream of your hometown club capturing King Felix will remain just that, for at least the near future.