The Seattle Mariners have officially begun the 2022-2023 offseason, and have done it in style, acquiring All-Star outfielder Teoscar Hernandez from the Toronto Blue Jays.
In exchange, the Blue Jays have acquired right-handed reliever Erik Swanson and left-handed pitching prospect Adam Macko from Seattle.
This is the first blockbuster trade of the offseason.
Hernandez, an All-Star in 2021, hit .267 with 25 home runs and 77 RBI.
The Mariners finished the regular season with a record of 90-72 and earned the second American League Wild Card, reaching the postseason for the first time since 2001.
They proceeded to knock out the Blue Jays in the Wild Card series before being swept by the Houston Astros in the ALDS.
BREAKING: All-Star outfielder Teoscar Hernández has been traded to the Seattle Mariners from the Toronto Blue Jays, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 16, 2022
Seattle Adds Teoscar
The Mariners have now strengthened their outfield.
With Mitch Haniger entering free agency, the Mariners were in need of an outfield bat.
Hernandez checks that box for Seattle.
The 30-year-old won back-to-back Silver Slugger awards in 2020 and 2021.
Seattle’s starting outfield now consists of Hernandez, Jesse Winker, and Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez, who also earned a Silver Slugger Award this year.
Hernandez is under contract for one more year before he becomes eligible for free agency.
The Mariners have now put themselves in a position to potentially challenge the Houston Astros for supremacy in the American League West division.
Despite their 90-win season, Seattle finished 16 games back of the World Series champions, who have won the AL West in five of the last six seasons.
The Mariners will look to build off of their success in 2022 with another playoff appearance in 2023.
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