Mariners Make Trade with Tampa Bay

 

Friday afternoon the news came out that the Mariners made a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays to help out the bullpen and the outfield.

The two players the Mariners picked up were reliever Alex Colome and outfielder Denard Span. The Mariners gave up two minor league prospects righthanded pitcher Andrew Moore who spent part of last season with the Mariners and right handed pitcher Tommy Romero who  has started nine game for the Clinton LumberKings.

 

Neither Colome and Span haven't  had great seasons so far however their experience will help the Mariners out. Colome may be pitching the eighth inning and occasionally the ninth so that Diaz is not overly used. Last year Colome had forty-seven saves in sixty-five games. Also he only gave up four home runs and an era of 3.24. In 2016 he didn't pitch as many games however had an era of 1.91. He had thirty-seven saves in forty opportunities. He is only twenty-nine years old so could be around for several years.

 

Denard Span comes in to play left field. He is a left handed hitter along with throwing left. He has played some center field so he could at times give Guillermo Heredia some time off. This means that Ben Gamel will no longer be the starter in left field but according to Jerry Dipoto he will spend regular time in the outfielder too. Gamel could play some time in right field when Mitch Haniger needs rest. It certainly gives the Mariners four solid major league outfielder. Gamel could spend time at first base as well. Depending on the health of Nelson Cruz one of the guys could dh as well so all four could be in the lineup. Dipoto sees a rotation of the four.

 

It looks like the trade will make the Mariners a better team. Colome is someone who helps to with the loss of David Phelps. It will be interesting to see who the Mariners will send down when they are activated. Go M's.