Toronto Blue Jays send Drew Storen to Seattle Mariners
By Jason Evans
The Toronto Blue Jays make their second deal of the day sending recently DFA’d reliever Drew Storen to the Seattle Mariners for Joaquin Benoit
The Toronto Blue Jays are continuing to tinker with their team as they position themselves for another postseason run. After acquiring Melvin Upton Jr.to help the offense today, they go and make an upgrade in their bullpen.
#Mariners have acquired RHP Drew Storen and cash considerations from Toronto in exchange for RHP Joaquin Benoit.
— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) July 27, 2016
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After sending Ben Revere to Washington for Storen in the off-season, Storen was a disaster for the Jays. The 28 year old righty went 1-3 with a 6.21 ERA. He managed to strike out 32 batters in 33.1 innings, but he also gave up 43 hits and had a FIP of 5.00. Storen was designated for assignment by the Jays just two days ago due to his rough performance, and surprisingly, they found a taker in the Seattle Mariners. Storen will be a free agent after this season.
In exchange, the Jays get a reliever who hasn’t had the best of seasons in his own right in the veteran Benoit. The 39 year old reliever (traded on his birthday) was acquired in the off-season by the Mariners and has not replicated the success he had with the Padres last season.
Benoit is 1-1 with a 5.18 ERA in 26 games this season. He has struck out 28 in 24 innings, but has walked 15 and given up 20 hits. LIke Storen, Benoit is also set to be a free agent after the season.
This is a deal where both teams hope a change of scenery helps each player. Storen lost the closer job in Toronto to Roberto Osuna and hasn’t been the same pitcher since the Nationals acquired Jonathan Papelbon before last year’s deadline.
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If each player can prove their worth to their new club it may set up a deal for them in the free agent market for next season. Then again, given their performances so far, they could not do much worse.