Mariners Trade with Rays to Acquire Arozarena

CHICAGO -- Desperately needing a jolt to their offense, the Mariners believe they’ve added a big boost.

On Thursday night, the club acquired All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Rays, marking the first blockbuster of the Trade Deadline season. Heading to Tampa Bay are two promising prospects, both Draft picks from last year.

TRADE DETAILS

• Mariners receive: OF Randy Arozarena
• Rays receive: OF Aidan Smith (No. 12 among Mariners Top 30 prospects), RHP Brody Hopkins (No. 22), player to be named later

Arozarena arrives at a critical time for Seattle, which has seen its 10-game lead atop the AL West as of June 19 dwindle to being one game behind Houston and 3 1/2 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot.

After a rough start to the season, Arozarena has dramatically improved since June 1, posting a slash line of .290/.402/.517 (.920 OPS) compared to .158 with a .568 OPS over his first 56 games. He’s earning $8.1 million this season and is under club control for two more seasons (through 2026), with likely salary increases via arbitration.

The Mariners are banking on Arozarena maintaining his re-found form, which aligns with his career numbers: a .787 OPS, 125 wRC+ (league average is 100), and 86 home runs over 586 games across four seasons. The 2021 AL Rookie of the Year has excelled under the spotlight, notably during the 2020 postseason with 10 homers in 20 games during the Rays' run to the World Series. In his first All-Star appearance in 2023 at T-Mobile Park, he wowed the Seattle crowd with a leaping catch at the wall and finished runner-up in the Home Run Derby.

“Randy is a dynamic, high-energy all-around player who has excelled in the biggest moments on the biggest stages,” Mariners GM Justin Hollander said in a statement. “He’s going to be a great addition to our clubhouse and lineup.”

Thursday’s trade marked the 16th between Seattle and Tampa Bay since Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto took over after the 2015 season. Both clubs were actively engaged in talks for multiple players last offseason, including Arozarena and Rays corner infielders Isaac Paredes and Yandy Díaz.

Despite parting with first baseman Ty France earlier this week, the Mariners’ main priority has been to acquire an outfielder to strengthen their underachieving group. Center fielder Julio Rodríguez is the long-term mainstay, and Luke Raley -- also acquired from Tampa Bay in January -- has been their best acquisition from last offseason.

With Rodríguez currently on the injured list with a high right ankle sprain, the remaining outfielders on the active roster come with their own uncertainties. Fan favorite Mitch Haniger is experiencing a career-worst .628 OPS. Veteran Victor Robles has shown success but only in short spurts. Cade Marlowe was just recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday, and Dominic Canzone, expected to be a key contributor, is hitting .211 with a .684 OPS and is on the IL for the second time this season.

The Mariners might not be done making moves this Deadline season.