The Seattle Mariners have made a major move to address their offensive struggles, acquiring outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade on Thursday night. The Mariners hope that Arozarena's dynamic playmaking and recent hot streak at the plate will provide a much-needed spark to their lineup.
The Seattle Mariners have sent a pair of minor league prospects to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for outfielder Randy Arozarena, as the Mariners look to jumpstart their struggling offense. The Mariners have plummeted in the AL West standings since June 19, losing 20 out of 29 games and surrendering a once-commanding 10-game lead.
Despite a pitching staff that leads baseball in ERA, the Mariners have been held back by an anemic offense that has scored two runs or fewer in seven of their last nine games. The addition of Arozarena, who has a career-high .712 OPS this season, is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the Mariners' lineup.
Arozarena has struggled at the plate this season, hitting a career-low .211, but he has been on the upswing since the beginning of June, batting .284 with a .397 on-base percentage and a .904 OPS over his last 43 games. He has also hit seven homers and walked 20 times during that span, showcasing his offensive potential.
The Mariners are hoping that Arozarena can continue his recent hot streak and provide a spark to their offense. He has a proven track record of success, having hit a career-high 23 homers last season and starting in the All-Star Game in left field. Arozarena is also on pace for his fourth consecutive season with at least 20 home runs.
The Mariners are in desperate need of a jolt after being swept at home by the Los Angeles Angels and losing five of their first six games after the All-Star break. The addition of Arozarena, who is eligible for arbitration for the next two seasons and will not hit free agency until 2027, provides the Mariners with both a short-term and long-term boost to their lineup.
The Mariners sent right-handed pitcher Brody Hopkins and outfielder Aidan Smith to the Rays in the deal, along with a player to be named later. Hopkins is a 22-year-old prospect who has a 3.14 ERA in 13 starts for Double-A Arkansas this season, while Smith is a 21-year-old who has hit .282 with a .366 on-base percentage in 66 games for High-A Everett.
The Mariners are hoping that the addition of Arozarena, who is expected to make his Mariners debut on Friday, will be enough to turn their season around and get them back into contention in the AL West.
