Here's a wild fantasy-type suggestion.... (Harmony will have a field day with this.)
Edwin Encarcion (20 HRs so far) is owed $20M and has a $20M option for next year ($5M buyout). If we wait for the halfway point, he'll be owed $10M. Word is the Mariners are willing to chip in cash to deal some players away.
Maybe they take Pearce (owed $3M at the halfway point). Ask Seattle to chip in $2M this year and $5M next year for the buyout. That makes the budget hit $5M. We'd have to give a serious prospect or two to even the deal for the M's, but they do save a lot of money. So, Pearce, DHernandez & Duran for EE & cash?
Then, trade Moreland (save $3.25M at the halfway point) to Houston for a prospect that we flip in a trade with Dalbec, Feltman & Houck for Wil Smith (owed $2.1M at halfway point).
We'd still be under the max line, but our farm would be further depleted.
1. Betts RF
2. Bogey SS
3. Encarnacion 1B
4. JD DH
5. Devers 3B
6. Beni LF
7. Chavis 2B
8. Vaz C
9. JBJ CF
Bench: Nunez, Holt, Marco, Leon
SP: Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, Eovaldi
RP: Smith, Barnes, Workman, Hembree, Walden, Brasier, Velazquez/Johnson/???