Why acquiring Randy Arozarena could be a key move for the Seattle Mariners?
The news really did not surprise. Expectations about the possible departure of Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays were highly probable. So we didn't even have to wait for the trade deadline: the Seattle Mariners acquired Cuban outfielder Randy Arozarena at a time when the American League West Division pennant could begin to be defined.*
*The Mariners are one game behind the Astros, after a declining streak in which they have lost 14 of their last 20 games. The Astros have gone 12-8 in that span, a rebound that helped them lead the Division for the first time all year.
With star center fielder Julio Rodríguez and starting shortstop J.P. Crawford on the injured list, the Mariners' offensive problems have increased considerably. Before Rodriguez injured his ankle and Crawford broke his pinky, the Mariners had posted the fourth-worst OPS (.641) this July. Instead, Rodríguez posted the eighth-best OPS (1.122) among qualified hitters with at least 50 plate appearances so far this month.
So the trade for Arozarena was more of a commercial emergency than an early decision by the organization. Arozarena has been in his worst offensive season since he won American League Rookie of the Year honors in 2021. His .789 OPS in 151 games and 654 plate appearances last year has fallen .712 this season.
Arozarena's slash line is the worst of his career in the Majors: .211/.318/.394. However, there are still interesting points to see in Arozarena's potential, even without remembering that he has been a superstar in October. And I think one of the most underrated points is that Randy is still an everyday player. This year he has played in 97% of the Rays' games. Then, the other point in his favor is that, after his inconsistency during the first two months of the season, Randy has managed to make adjustments: