This morning the Seattle Mariners got the Hot Stove sizzling when they made a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays to acquire All-Star outfielder Teoscar Hernandez.
Seattle sent pitcher Adam Macko and Erik Swanson back to the Blue Jays in exchange for Hernandez.
Seattle has now filled a hole in its outfield.
Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto commented on the move today, expressing that the club needed a little depth in their lineup and that Hernandez can help provide some of that.
“We began the offseason with the intent to add impact and length to our lineup,” Dipoto said, as shared below.
“In adding Teoscar to an already solid foundation, we feel we’ve become a far more dangerous offensive club.”
Seattle #Mariners President Jerry Dipoto: ‘We began our off-season with the intent to add impact and length to our lineup. In adding Teoscar to an already solid foundation, we feel we’ve become a far more dangerous offensive club.” https://t.co/xGGuxV7edl
—Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 16, 2022
Dipoto Explains Hernandez Trade
The Mariners certainly have become more dangerous offensively.
The team has plenty of talent to build around.
The lineup already consisted of Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, Ty France, JP Crawford, and Eugenio Suarez.
With Hernandez, the Mariners have filled one of their biggest needs and have become a far stronger offensive club.
With Mitch Haniger likely departing via free agency, Seattle needed an outfield bat, and Hernandez checks that box for them.
The 30-year-old slugger hit .267 with 25 home runs and 77 RBI and posted an OPS of .807.
The former All-Star also collected 133 hits and 35 doubles during the regular season, recording 245 total bases.
For his career, Hernandez has a .262 batting average and 133 home runs.
Seattle may still look to add some depth in their outfield, but acquiring Hernandez is a good start.
