Could outfielder Ryan Braun be the Mariners’ missing piece?

ESPN MLB insider Jayson Stark has been asking people around the game who’s most likely to be this year’s Yoenis Cespedes, the bat that’s traded before the deadline and provides a spark for a team’s postseason run.

“I think it’s more likely to be Ryan Braun than anyone else,” Stark told “Brock and Salk” Tuesday. “But just recognize it’s four years and $80 million left (on his contract with Milwaukee) after this year, and you’ve got either to eat that, deal with that or trade that.”

The Mariners are in the precarious middle-of-the-pack position – two games out of the second wild-card spot with the July 31 trade deadline looming. The Mariners’ situation is further muddied by the fact that they have the oldest team in baseball and also one of the least-heralded farm systems. Despite the limited overall talent in the minors, the Mariners do own a handful of prospects with upside, including infielder D.J. Peterson, catcher Mike Zunino, outfielder Alex Jackson and pitchers James Paxton and Edwin Diaz.

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Stark said that going “all-in” for just a wild-card game is not wise and believes the Mariners should be looking for more than a rental player but someone whose contract they can control for more than one year.

The three areas Seattle would most likely be looking to upgrade would be at a corner outfield spot, in the bullpen or in the starting rotation. Stark suspects that Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez won’t be traded, leaving the primary outfield options as the Padres’ Matt Kemp, the Reds’ Jay Bruce and Braun.

“I would say not Matt Kemp,” Stark said. “You’re not going to win with that guy. And I don’t know how much of a difference-maker Jay Bruce is, although I like him. Big change to go from that ballpark in Cincinnati to Safeco. … It’s going to have to be Ryan Braun then, unless somebody else emerges. And that’s possible.”

Braun, 32, has rebounded steadily since his down season in 2014. The 2011 National League MVP has posted a .323/.378/538 slash line to go with 13 home runs, 44 RBIs and six stolen bases so far in 2016. The six-time all-star battled finger and back issues over the past few seasons since being suspended 65 games in 2013 for his connection to performance-enhancing drugs.

“He’s a really smart player who can do a lot of things,” Stark said. “What you’re worrying about is, how is he going to age? And so far the answer is he’s aged great. He’s aged well. You can come up with your own theories about that. But if you think he’s going to age well, that’s a really intriguing guy to empty your system to go get.”

Brock Huard noted a similarity between Braun and Nelson Cruz, who has been a revelation for Seattle since signing a long-term deal as a 34-year-old in 2014. Cruz was also suspended in 2013 for his role in the Biogenesis scandal. Stark said it’s an apt comparison.

“(Braun is) still a professional hitter and a guy who has basically one good at-bat after another,” he said. “He powered down some. He and Nelson Cruz actually got suspended in the same investigation, if I recall correctly. So there are some similarities there. But he’s still a difference maker, I think.”

As for pitching, Stark said the Yankees will be asking for a huge haul in return for closer Andrew Miller.

“What I’m getting is the Yankees, if they trade him, will want at least what the Red Sox gave up for Craig Kimbrel, which was four prospects, two really high-end guys, even though they were far away from the big leagues,” Stark said. “And I’m just not sure who that is in the Mariners’ system.”

Other, less appealing options Stark mentioned were Brewers closer Jeremy Jeffress and Braves reliever Adroys Vizcano. The starting pitcher market is equally dry, with the Rays’ trio of Drew Smyly, Jake Odorizzi and Matt Moore as the most sought after.

“Can the Mariners win that bidding war?” Stark asked. “Because that’s a team that is going to be really popular over the next few weeks.”

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