Trader Jerry’s has made a move once again.
The Seattle Mariners have executed a significant trade just before the July 30 deadline. They have acquired outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays.
In return, the Mariners are sending minor league players Aidan Smith and Brody Hopkins, along with a player to be named later, to Tampa Bay as part of the deal.
The Mariners have faced criticism from their fan base for not being more aggressive at trade deadlines. These sentiments were exacerbated by comments from team president Jerry Dipoto, who stated the team’s goal was to achieve a .540 winning percentage. With this trade, the team is now making a proactive move that could excite their fans.
Arozarena, the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year and an All-Star last season, is a 29-year-old Cuban outfielder with a career batting average of .257 and a .787 OPS. However, his performance this season, hitting just .213 with a .717 OPS, made him a tradeable asset.
Arozarena’s postseason performance is also noteworthy, as he has hit .336 with a 1.104 OPS during the playoffs. He was even named ALCS MVP in 2020. If the Mariners reach the postseason, having Arozarena in the lineup could prove to be invaluable.
