Trade Update

The Seattle Mariners have made their 3rd move of the offseason, while this is the first for the Texas Rangers. The Seattle Mariners have traded Tom Wilhelmsen, and James Jones to the Texas Rangers. In return, the Mariners receive Leonys Martin, and Anthony Bass. Looking at the trade, I understand why both of the teams made the trade. The Rangers are stacking their bullpen, they made moves at the end of the season this year, and now this offseason move.

Tom Wilhelmsen is 31 years old and has played 5 seasons in the majors. In those 5 seasons, Wilhelmsen has been a solid relief pitcher, and has been a fill in closer a couple times. Last season Wilhelmsen finished with a 2-2 record, 3.19 ERA, 13 saves, 62 innings, and 60 strike-outs. Those numbers are a solid set-up pitcher, or a possible closer in the making. The only thing I don't understand about the trade is, why the Mariners put Wilhelmsen in the trade? The Mariners need all the relief they can get, and Wilhelmsen was projected to be their closer. Either way, it was a good move by the Texas Rangers. The other player the Rangers received was outfielder James Jones. Jones is 27 years old and hasn't played a full season in the two years he has been called up to the majors. Jones shows the potential of being a threat on the bases, because he did get 27 stolen bases in 2014, when he played a half season. There is potential, but Jones will more than likely be a back up outfielder, until he proves worthy of a starting spot.

The player I like the Seattle Mariners acquiring is outfielder Leonys Martin. Martin is 27 years old and has been in 5 major league seasons. He has only been a full time starter for 3 of those years, and 2 of those years 3 years he was great. Last season was his worst season in the majors, he finished with 5 home runs, 25 RBI's, 14 stolen bases, and a .219 average. This was a complete turn around from the previous two seasons. The previous two years Martin stole 30 plus bases and had a much higher average. The Mariners are trying to beef up the outfield, and Martin is a good piece, even though he is coming off a bad year. The other player the Mariners received was relief pitcher Anthony Bass. I truly do not understand why anyone would want Bass. He is 28 years old and has pitched 5 seasons in the majors. Bass has had one good season, which was back in 2011 with the Padres. Since then, Bass has put up a 4.00 plus ERA every season. He gets hit, and he gets hit hard. Since that nice start in his rookie year, Bass has been getting worse and worse.

The Rangers get the best of this trade, as they add to the bullpen, and get a potential solid back up outfielder. The Mariners traded a relief pitcher I don't think they should have traded. They are even weaker in the bullpen, and it will be interesting to see how they fill the empty spots.