Mariners Acquire Outfielder Randy Arozarena to Boost Offensive Slump

The Seattle Mariners have acquired outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade that includes two minor league prospects and a player to be named later. Arozarena, 27, is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the Mariners' struggling offense, which has seen the team fall from first place in the AL West to third place in recent weeks.

The Seattle Mariners have acquired outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade that includes two minor league prospects and a player to be named later. The Mariners, who have been struggling offensively in recent weeks, are hoping that Arozarena can provide a much-needed boost to their lineup.

Arozarena, 27, is a two-time All-Star who has hit at least 20 home runs in each of the past three seasons. He is currently hitting .211 with 15 homers and a .712 OPS in 100 games this season, but has been on the upswing at the plate for nearly two months. Since June 1, Arozarena is hitting .284 with a .397 on-base percentage and a .904 OPS. He's hit seven homers and walked 20 times during that 43-game span.

The Mariners have been in desperate need of a jolt after being swept at home by the Los Angeles Angels and beginning the post-All-Star break portion of the schedule by losing five of six. Going back to before the break, the Mariners have dropped eight of nine and have scored two runs or fewer in seven of those games.

The Mariners' pitching staff has been one of the best in baseball this season, leading the league with a 3.41 ERA and allowing just 3.66 runs per game on average. However, the offense has struggled to keep pace, ranking 24th in the league in runs scored.

Arozarena is expected to slot into the Mariners' lineup as their everyday left fielder. He could also see some time at designated hitter.

The Rays, meanwhile, are 9½ games back in the AL East race but only four games out in the wild card standings. They are hoping that the trade of Arozarena will help them make a push for a playoff spot.

The Mariners sent a pair of minor league prospects — right-handed pitcher Brody Hopkins and outfielder Aidan Smith — to the Rays along with a player to be named later.

Hopkins, 23, is a former first-round pick who has a 4.50 ERA in 18 starts at Double-A this season. Smith, 24, is hitting .281 with six homers and 39 RBIs in 70 games at Triple-A this season.

The Mariners are hoping that Arozarena can help them turn their season around and make a run at the playoffs. They are currently 9-20 since June 19 and now trail Houston in the division standings.