Mariners Breakdown: Trade deadline adds making impact
It hasn’t been long, but the Seattle Mariners are already seeing positive early returns from their acquisitions at the MLB trade deadline.
Insider: Why Seattle Mariners were winners at trade deadline
Despite a shutout loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, the Mariners’ offense has looked completely different since adding slugging outfielder Randy Arozarena and veteran first baseman/designated hitter Justin Turner.
Since the Mariners acquired Arozarena on July 24, they’re averaging 5.8 runs per game and have scored six or more in seven of nine contests. They entered Sunday with a 145 wRC+ as a team since the deal.
The new-found offensive prowess was on full display Friday and Saturday. On Friday, Seattle hung 10 runs on the Phillies and scored eight runs in the first two innings off rookie Tyler Philips, who was coming off a four-hit shutout against the American League-leading Cleveland Guardians. On Saturday, Seattle overcame a five-run deficit – something that seemed insurmountable just weeks ago – for a 6-5 win in 10 innings against the team with the best record in the NL.
Arozarena reached base three times and scored twice Friday, then hit a pair of doubles and scored two more runs the following day. The second of his doubles Saturday led off the sixth inning and started a four-run rally that tied the game.
Turner made the most of his T-Mobile Park debut and hit a grand slam that blew the game open Friday.
“There is spice to this to this team, this lineup and it comes from all different directions, but certainly the new guys that we brought in add something, and they’re all different,” Servais said after Saturday’s victory. “Certainly Randy’s got a different spice than JT does, but it’s rubbing off on guys.”
The addition of Turner has been meaningful for more than just what he’s done in games, too. Veteran Mitch Haniger gave Turner some of the credit for his recent success, and Servais had praise for the 39-year-old first baseman’s effect on the team.
“He’s got a plan and he totally commits to it, and I think it’s a great example for our other guys on this ballclub,” Servais said. “… Certainly he’s producing on the field, but it’s the constant talk and banter around the batting cage and the dugout, and it rubs off on other guys. We’re seeing it play out on a nightly basis.”
Woo-nderful sight
When healthy, Mariners starter Bryan Woo has been among the best in baseball. The “when healthy,” however, has been a big asterisk for the right-hander.
The 24-year-old Woo missed over a month with inflammation in his right elbow to start the season and spent another stint on the IL with a strained right hamstring just before the All-Star break, but his performance in Friday night’s 10-2 blowout win marked an encouraging milestone in his young career. Woo pitched a career-high seven innings, threw a season-high 92 pitches, struck out six and allowed zero runs on four hits and no walks.
Woo’s performance marked the 14th time a Seattle starter completed at least seven innings this season.
“It means a lot. It’s been a tough year watching the rest of the staff do what they’ve been doing and staying healthy and just being horses,” Woo said after the game. “That’s all I’m really trying to do is just contribute and be that for the team.”
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