The Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays had a surplus in one area of the roster and a glaring need in another.
As it turns out, they matched their needs to perfection and executed a trade that may help both teams achieve their objectives.
The M’s have a good bullpen and could spare a piece, but need all the (quality) hitters they can get.
The Blue Jays offense is deep and talented, but their relief corps clearly need help.
Say no more: the Mariners sent reliever Erik Swanson and a prospect to the Blue Jays for slugger Teoscar Hernandez.
The deal was fair and perfectly balanced on paper.
A Fair Deal
“For Teoscar being on his last year of arbitration, in reality the trade is pretty fair on both ends (that’s if the mariners don’t sign him back),” @YanksClear tweeted.
for Teoscar being on his last year of arbitration, in reality the trade is pretty fair on both ends(that's if the mariners don't sign him back)
— Aaron Judge Enthusiast(99-63)(3-2)(0-4) (@YanksClear) November 16, 2022
Hernandez is a potent bat capable of hitting 30 home runs in a season, but he will be a free agent after 2023.
Swanson is an elite reliever with three years left of service time.
He is 29, so he is not exactly a young prospect, but was good in 2021 and was vastly improved in 2022.
Erik Swanson
2021
3.31 ERA, 3.96 FIP, 8.92 K/9, 1.27 HR/92022
1.68, 1.85, 11.74, 0.5No change in pitch mix. 20% slider, ~23% Splitter, ~57% 4Seam
Pitch shape change. Splitter +2.8In V, +1In H. 4Seam -.1 V, +1.8 H. Slider -1.5 V, +2.2 H
Location PINPOINT insane 2022
RISK! pic.twitter.com/L1luMx0A1d
— Sparkplug Springer (@Lil_nick_7) November 16, 2022
For the Mariners, Hernandez is an obvious fit given that Jesse Winker didn’t produce last season and Mitch Haniger is leaving via free agency.
The deal made sense for them, and they are also bringing in a funny guy who is respected in the clubhouse and also good for team chemistry.
“Aside from everything Teoscar Hernández brings offensively there’s also his gem personality and clubhouse presence I will never forget his mic’d up playing the Mariners still one of my favorites,” Lydia Cruz tweeted.
aside from everything Teoscar Hernández brings offensively there’s also his gem personality and clubhouse presence I will never forget his mic’d up playing the Mariners still one of my favorites pic.twitter.com/uP78SQQNRk
— Lydia Cruz (@TheLydiaCruz) November 16, 2022
All things considered, both teams should be happy with the deal.
Trader Jerry 1/1 so far this fall! This guy can hit!https://t.co/qXeYxSdrcF
— Chief Gambill (@Seahawkgamer16) November 16, 2022
“Trader Jerry” Dipoto, the Mariners’ general manager, strikes again.
NEXT: The Mariners Pull Off A Huge Trade For An All-Star OF