The Seattle Mariners, in case you were wondering, are buyers before the trade deadline.
They all but confirmed their intentions on Monday, when they completed the first relevant trade of the 2022 season with the Kansas City Royals.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the details of the transaction involving the two teams, each one with different intentions: Seattle is going for it despite a 34-40 record, and the 26-45 Royals will be selling assets.
“Trade! First baseman Carlos Santana is headed to the Seattle Mariners, and right-handed reliever Wyatt Mills and right-hander William Fleming, who is in A ball, will go back to the Kansas City Royals, who are sure to be active over the next five weeks. And so it begins,” Passan tweeted.
Trade! First baseman Carlos Santana is headed to the Seattle Mariners, and right-handed reliever Wyatt Mills and right-hander William Fleming, who is in A ball, will go back to the Kansas City Royals, who are sure to be active over the next five weeks.
And so it begins.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 27, 2022
Santana was traded to Seattle in 2018 but didn’t even play before being flipped to another team.
This time, however, he is expected to have a role on the Mariners.
Santana Will Pick Up France’s At-Bats For Now
First baseman Ty France, who had been the club’s best and most consistent offensive performer, landed on the injured list over the weekend with an elbow ailment.
Santana figures to pick up most of those at-bats for the time being.
The veteran slugger is not having his best year at the plate, however, with a .216/.349/.341 line, four home runs, and 21 RBI.
He has scored 17 runs, too.
He still boasts a fine eye at the plate, but his power is no longer a legit weapon like it used to be.
Since slugging .515 in 2019, he has failed to clear the .400 slugging threshold.
Time is undefeated, and Santana, who has 263 career long balls, is already 36.
Still, the Mariners hope he can contribute some veteran leadership and on-base prowess to the lineup for as long as France is out.
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