Seattle Mariners Continuing to Make Moves for Postseason Push
The Seattle Mariners are continuing to tweak their roster for a postseason push, as they made a pair of trades earlier today.
Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry DiPoto has not been shy about changing the roster. In the past two years, he has made a flurry of trades that have completely rebuilt the team on the fly. These moves, made with the goal of ending the Mariners postseason drought, have had mixed results thus far. However, no one can accuse DiPoto of not attempting to fix the perceived holes on his roster.
Even though the non waiver trade deadline has passed, DiPoto is not done making moves. Today, he made two more trades, first acquiring first baseman Yonder Alonso from the Oakland Athletics. Then, minutes later, he acquired reliever Ryan Garton and minor league catcher Mike Marjama from the Tampa Bay Rays.
It is not a surprise that the Mariners would be interested in Alonso, given their issues at first base this season. In the midst of a breakout campaign, Alonso has produced a .266/.369/.527 batting line this season. He has 22 homers, far and away a career high, and made his first All Star Game this season. The left handed hitting first baseman may well be the perfect complement to Danny Valencia, giving the Mariners a chance at an excellent platoon.
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In order to land Alonso, the Mariners sent Boog Powell to Oakland. The 24 year old outfielder got his first chance in the majors this season, and produced a .194/.320/.194 batting line in his 43 plate appearances. However, he has been much better at AAA this season, with a .340/.416/.490 batting line, along with six homers and 11 steals.
Seattle then added some depth in Ryan Garton and Mike Marjama. Garton has spent parts of the last two seasons with the Rays, posting a 5.26 ERA and a 1.470 WHiP. Marjama, meanwhile, made it to AAA for the first time this season, and has produced a solid .274/.342/.445 batting line, hitting nine homers and 16 doubles.
That that duo, the Mariners have sent minor leaguers Anthony Misiewicz and Luis Rengifo, along with a player to be named later, to the Rays. Misiewicz, a left handed starter, has split his time between the California League and Texas League this season, posting an 8-5 record with a 4.75 ERA and a 1.341 WHiP. In his 119.1 innings, he has struck out 117 batters while issuing just 38 walks.
Rengifo, a switch hitting utility player, was ranked as the Mariners 27th best prospect heading into the season. In his first look at full season ball, he has produced a decent .250/.318/.413 batting line, hitting 24 doubles and stealing 29 bases. Considered to have the arm and instincts to stay in the infield, Rengifo may prove to be a solid player in the coming years.
Next: No reason for Astros to be concerned
Just because the trade deadline has ended does not mean that the Seattle Mariners are done making moves. Today alone, they brought three new players into the organization.