Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is known as “Trader Jerry” for a reason: he likes (loves, actually) to make trades and transactions.
The MLB lockout took away the chance, for executives like him, of doing that for almost 100 days.
But now, after the league and the Players Association approved a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), free agency (and trading) is once again allowed.
Dipoto had a funny moment on @933KJR according to reporter Ryan Divish: “I woke up this morning ready to transact,” was his exact quote.
Dipoto on @933KJR … "I woke up this morning ready to transact."
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) March 11, 2022
If you have been following baseball over the last few years, it’s impossible that line didn’t make you laugh at least a little.
Dipoto has been very, very active in the trade market in the past few years, and one can tell it’s something he enjoys.
Those moves haven’t always worked, but in most cases, they have been positive for the Mariners.
Trader Jerry Is At It Again
Last season, he flipped closer Kendall Graveman to the Houston Astros in exchange for infielder Abraham Toro, who is under control for many years.
Players didn’t love the trade, but it helped them remain competitive and get to the final weekend of the regular season within striking distance of a postseason spot.
Seattle didn’t make it, but it was a feel-good story with a 90-72 record and a team filled with young talent to make a run at the playoffs again this year.
They have Jarred Kelenic, Logan Gilbert, Julio Rodriguez, Kyle Lewis, George Kirby, Noelvi Marte, Emerson Hancock, and others ready to help within the next two seasons.
Additionally, it’s a good thing Dipoto is ready to “transact” because Seattle has immediate needs for the 2022 roster.
If they can somehow sign one of the top infielders in the market (Carlos Correa, Trevor Story, or Kris Bryant), they could very well compete with the Astros this year.
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