Seattle Mariners trade with Houston Astros just the beginning

The Seattle Mariners find themselves in a different position this season – they are looking to add to their core. Given the madness that is Jerry Dipoto on the trade front, one had to imagine that the Mariners of today would not be even close to the Mariners on Saturday.

Those trades began on Tuesday night, as Seattle made a trade with the Houston Astros. However, for a team looking to improve their place in the playoff hunt, the trade does not make much sense.

Seattle Mariners make strange trade with Houston Astros

The Mariners had been searching for controlable infield help, and landing Abraham Toro, who had once been one of the Astros’ top prospects, would help in that regard. He has not fared well against major league pitching, producing a meager 69 OPS+ with 11 homers and six doubles in 308 plate appearances. However, he can play at first, second, and third, giving the Mariners that versatility they had been looking for. Toro had also crushed minor league pitching, leading to the hope that he can figure things out at the major league level.

Joe Smith would theoretically fill a void in the Mariners’ bullpen now that Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero have been traded. However, the veteran righty has struggled this season after opting out of the 2020 campaign. He has posted a 7.48 ERA and a 1.800 WHiP in his 21.2 innings, striking out 17 batters with three walks.

In exchange, the Mariners sent their close literally across the diamond as they are currently in a four game series with the Astros. Graveman had been a revelation as a closer, notching ten saves while posting a stellar 0.82 ERA and a 0.697 WHiP, striking out 34 batters with eight walks in 33 innings. Needless to say, that part of the trade was not well received by the Mariners’ clubhouse.

Montero’s inclusion was not exactly a dealbreaker. He had been designated for assignment by the Mariners already, having posted a 7.27 ERA and a 1.638 WHiP in his 43.1 innings, striking out 37 batters with 15 walks. Essentially, he and Smith put together similar numbers.

As a single trade, this move does not make any sense. However, that is not how Dipoto works. He admitted that this deal does not appear to be in the Mariners’ best interests, but also indicated that this is just the beginning. He has other deals in mind, some of which could occur in the very near future. This trade, as strange as it may seem, is just the first domino to fall.

The Seattle Mariners made a perplexing trade with the Houston Astros. However, for the Mariners, it is only the beginning.