The Seattle Mariners decided that they are going to stay on course and compete for a playoff spot. The Mariners made a trade with the Miami Marlins by acquiring reliever David Phelps. The team gave up a haul of prospects for the reliever. The Mariners gave up Brayan Hernandez, Brandon Miller, Pablo Lopez, and Lukas Schiraldi.
Mariners recent success lead to decision
The Mariners are 7-3 in their last ten games and are now 48-48 on the season. The Mariners are 1.5 games behind the New York Yankees for the second wild card spot. Phelps will provide a solid reliever for the team's bullpen.
Phelps has a 3.45 Earned Run Average in 47 innings while making $4.6 million. He's also not set to be a free agent until 2018.
The Mariners have not made the playoffs since 2001. Their 16 season drought is likely to the Mariners buying at the trade deadline. Fans are also getting restless as the team has had All Stars in Nelson Cruz, and Felix Hernandez with no playoff results.
Phelps has been a reliable reliever for the Marlins. It will likely be the only move the Mariners can afford due to their Farm System. Now, the Mariners will have to keep finding ways to win in order to make the postseason through the wild card.
What the Mariners gave up
Hernandez is a 19-year-old that was signed through amateur free agency out of Venezuela.
Hernandez has 35 stolen bases in 144 games. Miller is a 22-year-old pitcher with a 3.32 earned run average in 31 minor league starts in the Midwest League. Lopez is a 21-year-old right handed pitcher with a 4.06 earned run average in 46 career starts in the California League. According to MLB.com, Hernandez. Miller and Lopez ranked sixth, 16th, and 22nd in the Mariners farm system.
The Mariners do not have the best farm system which is the likely reason for the team only making this move at the trade deadline. However, the team didn't give up a lot in terms of their most valuable prospects. The move gives the Marlins a potential building block in Hernandez who has a lot of room to grow.
Overall move benefits both teams
Both teams got what they want in the deal. The Marlins are in a phase of rebuilding and received four prospects to help build their farm system. The Mariners get a reliever that will help their pitching staff. The Mariners have the 17th best-earned run average in the majors. Phelps will provide relief for middle innings as the Mariners look to make the postseason for the first time in 16 years.
