Jorge Polanco Agrees to One-Year, $7.75 Million Deal with Seattle Mariners

Posted on January 30, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Jorge Polanco is a marinero again…

The 31-year-old Dominican professional baseball infielder will return to the Seattle Mariners after agreeing to a one-year, $7.75 million contract, per ESPN.

In the process, the Mariners filled a hole at third base.

The deal includes a vesting option for 2026 that is based on plate appearances, according to The Athletic, which first reported the agreement.

Polanco, a switch-hitter, had his best season in 2019, producing an .841 OPS with 22 home runs and finishing 13th in American League MVP voting. His offensive numbers remained solid from 2021 to 2023, during which he slashed .255/.333/.462 and posted a 120 adjusted OPS with the Minnesota Twins.

But Polanco’s production dipped in Seattle, which has historically been difficult on hitters. He hit 16 home runs in 118 games and maintained his discipline within the strike zone in 2024, but his OPS finished at a career-low .651 and his adjusted OPS, which adjusts for park factors, was seven percentage points below the league average.

The Mariners boast a young, dynamic starting rotation that is arguably the best in the AL but have been held back for years by a lack of consistent offensive production. Their pitching staff held the second-lowest ERA in the majors last year, but their offense ranked 22nd in OPS, prompting them to miss the playoffs for a second straight time after a breakthrough 2022 season.

The Mariners are hoping a full season of Randy Arozarena, whom they acquired before the trade deadline last July, and a bounce-back campaign from young superstar Julio Rodriguez will go a long way toward improving their lineup. But they’d still like to add another bat, even with Polanco’s return. Second and first base remain positions the team can upgrade.

Donovan Solano Agrees to One-Year, $3.5 Million Deal with Seattle Mariners

Posted on January 14, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Donovan Solano is headed to the Emerald City.

The 37-year-old Colombian professional baseball infielder has agreed to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Solano can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses for plate appearances: $200,000 each for 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500.

Solano hit .286 with eight homers and 35 RBIs in 96 games with the San Diego Padres last year, including .302 (32 for 106) with four home runs against left-handers.

He is a .279 career hitter with 40 homers and 279 RBIs in 11 major league seasons with the Miami Marlins (2012-15), the New York Yankees (2016), San Francisco (2019-21), Cincinnati (2022), Minnesota (2023) and San Diego.

Since 2019 Solano is hitting .294 with 31 homers and 180 RBIs.

“Donovan has been among the most underrated hitters in the game over the past six years,” Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said in a statement.

Solano also gets a hotel suite on road trips. He would receive $50,000 for election to the MLB All-Star team and $25,000 for selection. Solano also can earn $150,000 for MVP, $100,000 for World Series MVP and $50,000 each for League Championship Series MVP, Gold Glove or Silver Slugger.

Left-hander Austin Kitchen was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.

He made his major league debut for Miami at Tampa Bay Rays on July 30, went 0-1 with a 14.14 ERA in one start and three relief appearances and was claimed off waivers by Seattle on September 9.

Seattle Mariners Acquire Yimi García from Toronto Blue Jays

Posted on July 26, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Yimi García is headed to the Emerald City.

The Seattle Mariners have acquired the 33-year-old Dominican professional baseball pitcher from the Toronto Blue Jays, the team announced on Friday.

The announcement comes less than 24 hours after landing Randy Arozarena.

Outfield prospect Jonatan Clase and minor league catcher Jacob Sharp were sent to Toronto in the trade.

García was one of the top relievers available before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

The right-hander has a 2.70 ERA and 2.64 FIP in 29 appearances this season. He’s held opponents to a .152 batting average, the eighth-lowest mark among relievers who have thrown at least 30 innings this season. Hitters have compiled a .526 OPS. His 36.5% strikeout rate ranks seventh.

Mariners manager Scott Servais didn’t define a role for García as the Mariners view the back end of their bullpen as interchangeable, but he’ll certainly be asked to pitch in high leverage moments.

“Very good competitor. He’s got good stuff,” Servais said.

“We don’t really have an eighth-inning or seventh-inning guy. Wherever we can find the right pocket for him. He can take on a number of different roles.”

Unlike Seattle’s anemic offense, which has been the main culprit in the club’s recent descent, the relief corps has been largely effective this season. The Mariners’ bullpen, which has logged the fewest innings in baseball thanks to one of the sport’s best starting rotations, ranks 11th in the majors in ERA, 13th in FIP and fourth in strikeout rate.

But a need for a back end reliever might have surfaced Wednesday, when right-hander Gregory Santos exited his outing against the Los Angeles Angels with a knee injury.

Santos, acquired in February from the Chicago White Sox, made his season debut on July 9 after starting the year on the injured list with a lat strain.

Santos’ setback arose after the Mariners placed star center fielder Julio Rodriguez (ankle) and shortstop J.P. Crawford (fractured hand) on the injured list earlier in a dismal 1-5 homestand that concluded Wednesday with a 2-1 loss to the Angels.

Clase, who made his major league debut in April, had two stints with the Mariners this season, batting .195 with a .452 OPS in 19 games. The 22-year-old Dominican slashed .274/.373/.483 with 10 home runs in 59 games for Triple-A Tacoma.

Sharp, 22, hit .255 with a .773 OPS in 44 games in Single-A this season, his first full season as a pro. The 5-foot-7 catcher was taken in the 17th round out of UNLV last year.

For the Blue Jays, one of baseball’s biggest disappointments this season, the trade is the first of what is expected to be multiple moves to shed veterans for young talent before Tuesday’s deadline. Seattle, meanwhile, is attempting to stop a free fall before it’s too late.

The Mariners sat atop the American League West standings with a 10-game lead on June 18. That cushion evaporated in just over a month; they have since gone 10-20 and entered Friday’s series opener against the White Sox one game behind the blistering Houston Astros.

The front office, as a result, chose to act. Late Thursday night, it addressed an offense with the third-lowest OPS in baseball by adding Arozarena, perhaps the best hitter who will be traded before the deadline. On Friday, they bolstered the bullpen with one of the market’s most coveted relievers. Time will tell if the moves make a difference.

Adrian Beltre Officially Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame

Posted on July 21, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Adrian Beltre is officially a Hall of Famer…

The 45-year-old Dominican former professional baseball third baseman and Texas Rangers great was officially welcomed into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday during the annual induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center.

Beltre, who finished his 21-year career with 3,166 hits and five Gold Gloves at third base, was enshrined along with Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer and Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, the latter pair becoming baseball’s newest one-team Hall of Famers. That puts the Hall’s membership at 273 among those who entered as players.

Also inducted was longtime manager Jim Leyland, who piloted four teams, including the 1997 World Series champion Florida Marlins. Leyland represented the Detroit Tigers, whom he managed from 2006 to 2013 and led to a pair of American League pennants.

Beltre struck a playful tone with many of his remarks, which he said were “maybe 25%” improvised. He was perhaps buoyed by Hall of Famer David Ortiz, who approached Beltre on stage and patted him on the head. Beltre is famously averse to having his head touched.

“That never relaxes me,” Beltre said. “But it was a little c,ue to go back to the days when I was playing, and it’s like ‘OK, get ready to go out there and do your best with the speech.'”

Beltre, who played with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Rangers, is one of only two players to have over 3,000 hits, 400 homers and at least five Gold Gloves. The other was Willie Mays, who was recognized before the speeches, along with the other Hall of Famers who died since last year’s induction: Whitey Herzog, Brooks Robinson and Orlando Cepeda.

Beltre is the fifth player born in the Dominican Republic to be enshrined, the last being Ortiz — a member of the 2022 Hall class. As with Ortiz, there was a sizable contingent of Dominican fans on hand, along with a strong turnout of Texas fans.

While acknowledging some of his former teammates, Beltre cited retired ace “King Felix” Hernandez, whom he played with in Seattle.

“To that guy who call himself ‘King,'” Beltre said. “I loved [playing] with you. But I loved hitting against you even more.”

The 2½-hour event unfolded under pleasant skies in Cooperstown, a welcome respite for an event that has often taken place in broiling conditions.

Thyago Vieira Acquired by Arizona Diamondbacks

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Thyago Vieira is headed to the Grand Canyon State.

The Arizona Diamondbacks claimed the 31-year-old Brazilian right-handed pitcher off waivers on Thursday following his one-game stint with the Baltimore Orioles.

Vieira was designated for assignment on Monday by the Orioles, who acquired him and minor league pitcher Aneuris Rodriguez from the Milwaukee Brewers on May 25 for minor league right-hander Garrett Stallings.

Vieira’s lone appearance for the Orioles was May 27, when he didn’t retire a batter while allowing a triple, four walks and three runs in an 11-3 victory over the visiting Boston Red Sox.

The Brewers designated him for assignment on May 20 after he recorded one save with a 5.64 ERA, 13 walks and 25 strikeouts in 22⅓ innings over 16 relief appearances.

In parts of five seasons with the Seattle Mariners (2017), Chicago White Sox (2018-19), Brewers (2023-24) and Orioles, Vieira is 2-2 with two saves, a 6.71 ERA, 32 walks and 51 strikeouts in 51 innings over 42 relief appearances.

Baltimore Orioles Acquire Thyago Vieira From Milwaukee Brewers

Posted on May 25, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Thyago Vieira is headed to Maryland.

The Baltimore Orioles have acquired the 31-year-old Brazilian professional baseball pitcher and reliever in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Baltimore got Vieira and minor league pitcher Aneuris Rodriguez from Milwaukee for minor league right-hander Garrett Stallings.

Vieira had no record and a 5.64 ERA in 16 appearances with Milwaukee this season before he was designated for assignment Monday.

The right-hander is 2-2 with two saves and a 6.18 ERA in 41 career big league appearances, also playing for the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago White Sox.

Stallings was a fifth-round pick by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2019 amateur draft. He went 0-1 with a 5.67 ERA in 11 games, four starts, for Triple-A Norfolk this season.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Awarded Record $19.9 Million in Arbitration Case Win Against Toronto Blue Jays

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has nearly 20 million reasons to smile…

The 24-year-old Dominican-Canadian professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays won a record $19.9 million in salary arbitration on Wednesday when a three-person panel picked his request rather than the team’s $18.05 million offer.

Scott Buchheit, Walt De Treux and Jeanne Charles made the decision a day after listening to arguments. Players have a 6-2 lead in hearings this year with 10 cases pending.

Guerrero topped the previous high awarded from a hearing, the $14 million Seattle Mariners outfielder Teoscar Hernandez received after he lost last year.

A three-time MLB All-Star, Guerrero hit .264 with 26 homers and 94 RBIs last year, when he had a $14.5 million salary. He’s eligible for free agency after the 2025 season.

A son of Baseball Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, the younger Guerrero turns 25 next month. He has a .279 average with 130 homers and 404 RBIs in five seasons with the Blue Jays.

Guerrero’s best season was in 2021, when he tied for the major league lead with 48 home runs and hit .311 with 111 RBIs. He earned a Gold Glove in 2022 and won last year’s MLB All-Star Home Run Derby at Seattle, matching the feat of his father in 2007 at San Francisco.

Chicago White Sox Trade Gregory Santos to Seattle Mariners

Posted on February 3, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Gregory Santos is headed to the Seattle Mariners.

The Chicago White Sox traded the 24-year-old Dominican professional baseball pitcher, a right-handed reliever, to the American League West division team.

From Seattle, the White Sox received a package that includes a pair of players on the Mariners’ 40-man roster — hard-throwing right-hander Prelander Berroa and outfielder Zach DeLoach — as well as the 69th pick in the 2024 draft.

Santos, a well-regarded player, joins a Mariners bullpen that already boasts Andres Muñoz and Matt Brash, two of the nastiest relievers in Major League Baseball.

With a fastball that sits at 99 mph and a 92-mph slider, Santos thrived in his first full season with the White Sox, posting a 3.39 ERA and a 2.65 Fielding Independent Pitching number on account of allowing just two home runs with a nearly 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 66.1 innings.

With five years of team control on Santos, the Mariners were willing to give up Berroa, 23, whose stuff is similar to Santos’, with a fastball that hits triple digits and a hard-breaking slider. A starter for most of his minor league career, Berroa spent last season mainly as a reliever and debuted with Seattle toward the end of the 2023 season after posting a 2.89 ERA and striking out 101 in 65.1 innings at Triple A.

Seattle had added DeLoach, 25, to their 40-man roster this winter after a standout season at Triple A, where he hit .286/.387/.481 with 23 home runs and 88 RBIs. The left-handed-hitting DeLoach was a second-round pick. The 69th choice, with a slot value of around $1.1 million, was eligible to be traded because it is a competitive-balance pick.

Raul Ibanez Named Vice President of Baseball Development & Special Projects for Los Angeles Dodgers

Posted on January 14, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Raul Ibanez is getting a special promotion…

The Los Angeles Dodgers have rehired the 51-year-old Cuban American former professional baseball player, an MLB All-Star in 2009, as their new vice president of baseball development and special projects.

Ibanez spent the past two years working with Major League Baseball as a senior vice president of on-field operations, reporting directly to executive vice president Morgan Sword — who helped spearhead last year’s rule changes — while working on issues related to rules, equipment and on-field technology.

Prior to that, Ibanez spent six years as a special assistant within the Dodgers’ baseball operations department.

Ibanez’s current Dodgers role is full-time, which means he will relinquish his duties with MLB.

Ibanez spent 19 years in the big leagues, accumulating 2,034 hits and 305 home runs while playing for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees from 1996 to 2014.

Ibanez’s most productive years were spent in Seattle, but he made his only All-Star team as a member of the Phillies in 2009 and later starred for them in the postseason.

With the Yankees, he had perhaps the most memorable moment of his career, hitting the tying, pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning of Game 3 of the 2012 American League Division Series then the walk-off homer in the 12th.

Texas Rangers Sign Diego Castillo to Minor League Deal

Posted on December 27, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Diego Castillo has joined the Texas Rangers organization…

The 29-year-old Dominican professional baseball pitcher, a veteran reliever, is among seven free agents who’ve signed minor league contracts with the Texas Rangers that include invitations to spring training with the World Series champions.

The Rangers announced the signings Wednesday of Castillo and two other right-handed pitchers, Gerardo Carrillo and Jesus Tinoco, along with catcher Andrew Knapp and outfielders Sandro Fabian, Elier Hernandez and Derek Hill.

Castillo has a 24-18 record with 35 saves and 3.22 ERA over six big league seasons with Tampa Bay Rays (2018-21) and Seattle Mariners (2021-23), with opponents hitting only .200 against him. The right-hander, who turns 30 on January 18, allowed six earned runs over 8⅔ innings in eight relief appearances for the Mariners last season.

Tinoco had a 2.93 ERA in 38 appearances this year for the Saitama Seibu Lions of the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization in Japan. Before that, he made 48 appearances over four big league seasons with the Colorado Rockies (2019-21), Miami Marlins (2021) and Texas (2022). He pitched in 17 games for the Rangers, and in one of his two starts allowed the 62nd home run hit by New York Yankees star Aaron Judge to break the AL single-season record.

Rangers pitchers and catchers will have their first spring training workout in Surprise, Arizona, on February 14.

The first full-squad workout is scheduled for February 19.

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