Trader Jerry has struck again.
The Seattle Mariners completed a major transaction on Thursday, ahead of the July 30 deadline. They acquired outfielder Randy Arozarena in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
As part of the trade, the Mariners will send minor leaguers Aidan Smith and Brody Hopkins, as well as an unnamed player, to Tampa Bay.
#Rays get minor-leaguers OF Aidan Smith and RHP Brody Hopkins plus a PTBNL from #Mariners for Arozarena
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 26, 2024
The Mariners have been chastised by their fans for not going “all-in” at trade deadlines. Making matters worse were statements by its president, Jerry Dipoto, who stated that the team’s goal was to achieve a.540 winning %. The team has replied with a move that will excite their fans.
Arozarena was the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year and an All-Star last year. The 29-year-old Cuban outfielder has a lifetime batting average of.257 and an OPS of.787. However, he has only batted.213 with a.717 OPS this season, making him expendable.
Arozarena’s narrative is incomplete without discussing his postseason numbers. Arozarena has batted.336 with a 1.104 OPS in the postseason. He even won ALCS MVP honors in 2020. If the Mariners manage to make the playoffs, he’s the type of player you want in the lineup.
