Trade rumors: Mariners blocking blockbuster?

The three- or four-team blockbuster involving the the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, Arizona Diamondbacks, and an assortment of other teams is still alive -- even though the Winter Meetings have ended -- but the Seattle Mariners are believed to be a major impetus to getting a deal done, reports Buster Olney of ESPN:

There has been some frustration with the Mariners in the TEX/ARI 3/4-team talks this week, with SEA viewed as speed bump in the process.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 7, 2012

It was reported yesterday that the Mariners were involved in a version of the trade that would have sent Rangers left-hander Derek Holland to Seattle for an unknown return.

What may be holding Seattle's end of the deal up is their continued pursuit of outfielder Josh Hamilton. The club may be hesitant to commit to a deal before it is certain it has the outfielder signed, though the same could be said for the Rangers and right-hander Zack Greinke.

Olney also reports that the Tampa Bay Rays are still involved in an iteration of the mega-deal that would send right-hander James Shields to the Diamondbacks, who could then in turn give the Rays a young pitcher or two.