The Seattle Mariners have been active this offseason with new general manager Jerry Dipoto taking over, as the team has already completed multiple trades. The team added Joaquin Benoit in a deal with the Padres on Thursday for two minor league players and that came as the team has been rumored to be interested in Brett Gardner and Jackie Bradley Jr.
The Mariners brought in Dipoto near the end of the season after firing Jack Zduriencik and the former Angels GM said that he would be open to making trades this offseason. Dipoto said that he wanted to reshape the roster to be more athletic, versatile and deep and so far he has done that with these two trades. The recent trade adds a valuable piece to the bullpen without giving up any top prospects, while the other deal filled multiple needs, including in the starting rotation, bullpen and outfield.
According to ESPN.com, the Mariners have completed a trade with the Padres for Benoit, giving up two minor league players in Enyel De Los Santos and Nelson Ward. The Mariners have been looking to shore up their bullpen with some depth after the unit was wildly inconsistent in 2015 after a historic season in 2014. The team ditched closer Fernando Rodney during the season and now they have added Benoit, who went 6-5 with a 2.34 ERA in 67 appearances last season.
Benoit is a hard thrower and he does not cost too much for the M's at $7.5 million for next season. According to ESPN.com, Benoit held opposing hitters to a .159 batting average and he was excellent against right-handed hitters holding them to a .144 batting average. Benoit has posted a 2.35 ERA over the last five years combined and now he will take over a key role in the Mariners' bullpen.
The Mariners have also reportedly been talking to other teams about trades, including the Yankees about Brett Gardner. Joel Sherman at the New York Post reports that Dipoto has long liked Gardner, who has speed and power in the outfield. Sherman writes that while the Mariners will not give up Taijuan Walker, the team would be willing to trade pitcher James Paxton. The Yankees just dealt for Aaron Hicks with the Twins and that could mean that Brian Cashman is considering making a move with Gardner.
Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reported this week that Jackie Bradley Jr. also could be a trade target for the Mariners as they try and upgrade in the outfield. The Mariners already pulled off a trade right as free agency started, moving shortstop Brad Miller, reliever Danny Farquhar and first baseman Logan Morrison to the Rays for pitcher Nathan Karns, outfielder Boog Powell and reliever CJ Riefenhauser. The Mariners have also extended a qualifying offer to pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma and the team is expected to try and re-sign the pitcher as a free agent.