SEATTLE JULY 30 (US): After more than two decades without a playoff appearance, the Seattle Mariners made a clear statement Friday night that they intend to see the post-season drought end this year, the Associated Press (AP) reports.
The Mariners may have captured the best starting player in the commercial market, taking star Luis Castillo of the Cincinnati Reds close to salaries for four minor league prospects.
Seattle has not participated in the playoffs since 2001, the longest post-season dry spell in the Big Four professional sports in North America.
“He’s one of the best shooters in the game. He’s really proven himself as a dominant player,” said Scott Service, the Houston Mariners manager. “We have a chance to do something really big here this year. You have to go out and take a chance every once in a while if you finally want to get the reward, take a little risk. The dominant pitcher, and I can’t wait to meet him.”
At 54-47, the Mariners are second out of three wild card positions, a half game against Tampa Bay (53-47) and two games against Cleveland (51-48).
Seattle won the last 14 games before the All-Star break, one of the lowest winning streaks in team history and the best track by any club heading to the break since 1933. But the Mariners are 3-5 since then, after an 11-1 loss in Houston. Friday night.
A return to the AL West race may be out of the question as Houston leads by 12 games. But the relegation at Castillo boosts the Seattle spin and makes the Mariners dangerous if they can make the playoffs.
Seattle general manager Jerry DePoto said there were talks with the Reds about Castillo dating back to last fall, before the shutdown, and the Mariners’ performance over the past six weeks has prompted teams to re-engage.
“At the moment we believe he is at the height of his career, performing at his peak, and our goal is to keep him there and help him in any way we can to improve where possible,” Diputo said.
Cincinnati got forwards Noelfi Mart and Edwin Arroyo, right assists Levi Studt and Andrew Moore. Mart was the Mariners’ highest-ranked, with Arroyo at number three and Studdt at number five.
“We felt this was the best return we could get for Lewis,” Reds general manager Nick Krall said.
Castillo joins third baseman Eugenio Suarez and left baseman Jesse Winker, both of whom were traded to the Mariners by Cincinnati in mid-March. Castillo was last introduced on Wednesday and characters who will make their Mariners debut next week were at Yankee Stadium, where Seattle plays a three-game series starting Monday.
The 29-year-old, right-handed, was 4-4, 2.86 ERA behind the Reds’ last (38-61), scoring 90 and scoring 28 in 85 innings. His fastball has a speed of 97 miles per hour.
He rebounded from his career-worst 8-16 record last year, when he had a 3.98 ERA.
“It was a beautiful experience,” Castillo said through an interpreter. “Having my name in the fans’ mouths and making them cheer for me is something I will cherish forever.”
Acquired from Miami prior to the 2017 season, Castillo is a two-time All-Star with a 44-53 record and 3.62 ERA in six seasons. He has a salary of $7.35 million this season, is eligible to referee next winter and could become a free agent after the 2023 season.
Joining a cycle that includes Logan Gilbert, Robbie Ray, Marco Gonzalez and Chris Flexen. Rising star George Kirby seems likely to be homeless, but DiPotto said the goal is to be creative to keep Kirby in a regular role and contribute.
Marte, 20, hit 0.275 with 19 doubles, 15 players, 55 RBIs and 13 steals this season for Class A Everett.
The 18-year-old Arroyo was in the second round of the enlistment selection last year and she achieved.
Stout, 24, is 13-9 with a 4.32 ERA in 33 starts over two minor league seasons.
The 22-year-old Moore was 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA this year for Class A Modesto.
“Noelfi Martí has a chance to be an influential mid-ranking bat who can play a short role,” said Krall. “Edwin Arroyo, same – he has a combination of strength/speed, he can play a short role. Levi Stoudt has a chance to be a major player in the league. Andrew Moore is just starting out in the show. He was recruited last year. He has it to 102 (mph) with a plus slider.”
The night before, the Reds reconstructed Tyler Naquin and left-wing savior Phillip Diehl to the New York Mets for two young teens.
The deadline for Major League Baseball deals is Tuesday.
AOQ