SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners are finalizing a trade that will land them outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays in the hope of boosting their slumping offense, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity on Thursday night because the trade had not been announced by the teams.
The Mariners are in the midst of a major slide over the past month that has seen them lose a 10-game lead in the AL West largely due to an offense that has struggled. Seattle is 9-20 since June 19 and now trails Houston in the division standings.
Seattle is also dealing with injuries that have star center fielder Julio Rodríguez out until August due to a high-ankle sprain and shortstop J.P. Crawford out for four to six weeks due to a broken pinky finger.
Arozarena has the chance to help Seattle at the plate, although the outfielder is hitting a career-low .213 with 15 homers and 36 RBIs in 99 games. Despite the low average, Arozarena still has a .717 OPS this season, which is higher than anyone in Seattle’s everyday lineup.
Last season Arozarena hit a career-high 23 homers and is on pace for a fourth straight season with at least 20 long balls. He’s also hit .289 in his career at T-Mobile Park.
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