The Seattle Mariners have lost their lead in the American League West to the Houston Astros, but they’re determined to stay competitive. They made a significant move by acquiring outfielder Randy Arozarena and reliever Yimi García in a 24-hour period.
On Thursday night, they traded prospects Aidan Smith and Brady Hopkins to the Tampa Bay Rays for Arozarena. Though Arozarena is having a down season with a .211/.318/.394 batting line, his career 123 OPS+ and past accolades, including the 2021 American League Rookie of the Year Award, showcase his potential. Known for his October performances, Arozarena has a .336/.414/.690 line in 33 playoff games.
A day later, the Mariners traded rookie outfielder Jonatan Clase and minor-league catcher Jacob Sharp to the Toronto Blue Jays for García. The veteran reliever is having a stellar season with a 2.70 ERA and 0.80 WHIP, despite an elbow issue that sidelined him in June.
The Mariners, currently 54-51, have hovered above .500 most of the season. They had a high playoff chance of 91.7% on June 18, but it has dropped to 41.6% now. Their revamped lineup, aimed at reducing strikeouts, has underperformed, ranking last in strikeouts and 28th in runs scored. Key players are injured, and recent acquisitions have struggled.
If Arozarena can return to form, he would be a key asset for the Mariners. Meanwhile, Victor Robles has been a surprise success since joining the team. The Mariners might still seek additional bats before the trade deadline. Their starting pitching has been strong, but the bullpen has been inconsistent. García is expected to strengthen the bullpen, setting up behind closer Andrés Muñoz.
Trailing the Astros by one game and fighting for a wild card spot, the Mariners are gearing up for a competitive final two months of the season with their new acquisitions.
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