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Seattle Mariners Acquire Cardinals Reliever Tuivailala

By Chase Meili |
MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 30: Sam Tuivailala #64 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws a pitch during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on May 30, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Brewers defeated Cardinals 3-2. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 30: Sam Tuivailala #64 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws a pitch during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on May 30, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Brewers defeated Cardinals 3-2. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – MAY 30: Sam Tuivailala #64 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws a pitch during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on May 30, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Brewers defeated Cardinals 3-2. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – MAY 30: Sam Tuivailala #64 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws a pitch during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on May 30, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Brewers defeated Cardinals 3-2. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The Seattle Mariners this weekend made a deal to strengthen their bullpen for a playoff run

On Friday, the Seattle Mariners announced that they have traded for Cardinals reliever Sam Tuivailala.  The team had been rumored to be targeting help for either the rotation or the bullpen and finally made a splash.  Though the trade came out of the blue, it will hopefully be another weapon the M’s can use during the late innings.  The Mariners gave up right-handed reliever prospect Seth Elledge.  He had pitched for Class-A during 2018 to a 1.17 ERA in 38.1 innings pitched.  He has also totaled 54 strikeouts during the year with hitters only hitting .140.  He has shown a lot of upside and will move up a level to Double-A Springfield.

Tuivailala has spent his whole career with the St. Louis Cardinals since his debut with the team back in 2014.  Not pitching full-time in the big leagues till last year, the hard-throwing right-hander has posted solid numbers.  During his last 73 innings of work, Tuivailala has posted a 2.96 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP.  His role in the Cardinals bullpen wasn’t set in stone and he pitched substantial innings in the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th.  With that being said, you should expect to see him used in a few different roles.

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In return for Tuivailala, the Mariners gave up right-handed reliever prospect Seth Elledge.  He had pitched for Class-A during 2018 to a 1.17 ERA in 38.1 innings pitched.  He has also totaled 54 strikeouts during the year with hitters only hitting .140.  He has shown a lot of upside and will move up a level to Double- A Springfield.

The Seattle Mariners can do many different things with Tuivailala and he should help the staff.  Their pitching staff has ranked in the middle of the pack in the league with steady but not exceptional work.  But outside of closer Edwin Diaz, they have had some problems at times.  Sam doesn’t provide the full need the club needs pitching wise, but he could make a difference down the stretch.

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With still a few days till the trade deadline, The M’s are expected the remain active and possibly make a move for another pitcher.  With a few starting pitchers already taken off the market, Jerry Dipoto would have to act fast if he felt the need.

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