Mariners’ deadline deal nets outfielder Cameron Maybin from Marlins
The Seattle Mariners have acquired outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Miami Marlins.
The Mariners confirmed the trade just after the 1 p.m. MLB nonwaiver trade deadline on Tuesday, with the Mariners sending international bonus pool money and minor league shortstop Bryson Brigman, the Mariners’ third-round draft pick in 2016, to the Marlins.
Maybin had earlier tweeted he was on his way to Seattle.
“Thank you, Miami,” he posted. “I’ve learned from my experience, it’s never goodbye — it’s ‘I’ll see ya later.’ Next stop, Seattle.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you, Miami. I’ve learned from experience, it’s never goodbye - it’s “I’ll see ya later.” Next stop, Seattle <a href="https://twitter.com/Mariners?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mariners</a>! <a href="https://t.co/vw5o5aE0Xk">pic.twitter.com/vw5o5aE0Xk</a></p>— Cameron Maybin (@CameronMaybin) <a href="https://twitter.com/CameronMaybin/status/1024378508745818112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The move was made just over an hour before the deadline, a day after general manager Jerrry Dipoto said the Mariners were likely done dealing, though he left the door open to add a position player, after they acquired left-haned reliever Zach Duke from the Twins, right-handed reliever Adam Warren from the Yankees and rigth-handed reliever Sam Tuivailala from the Cardinals in the past four days.
Maybin is hitting .251 with a .338 on-base percentage in 99 games with the Marlins this season and three home runs and 20 runs scored. He’d give the Mariners more versatility in their outfield, having played all three outfield positions this season and he’s mostly played center field for his 12-year career.
“He made me want to get suited up and go play again just talking to him on the phone,” Dipoto said. “He was excited.
“Just the experience and energy he brings, it gives us another athlete who adds to how we play and we can start pushing the envelope a little bit. And over the last month he’s been in a really good place offensively and he’s played a really strong center field this year.”
Maybin returns to the American League West, where he split 114 games between the Angels and Astros. Maybin spent last postseason as the Astros’ oft-used outfielder off their bench on their way to the World Series.
The Yankees had been reportedly interested in adding Maybin with Aaron Judge and Clint Frazier heading to the disabled list.
The move could allow for Dee Gordon to focus exclusively at second base for the rest of the season, even when Robinson Cano returns on Aug. 14 from his 80-game drug suspension. Maybin would enter as an offensive upgrade over center fielder Guillermo Heredia, who is batting .229 in 90 games.
Just check out their numbers since June 1.
Maybin: .263 average (31-for-118), .358 on-base percentage, three home runs, 46 games (27 starts).
Heredia: .180 average (24-for-133), .231 on-base percentage, two home runs, 49 games (40 starts).
At the end of May, Heredia had a .298 batting average (.417 on-base percentage) when he was being used in more of a platoon role — before Cano was suspended.
“I don’t think this renders Guillermo moot on our roster,” Dipoto said. “He’s a good player, but we’ve asked him to do something a little outside his skill set. Cameron will help with that and maybe put Guillermo back into a position where he can impact the game in ways he was doing before we asked him to play every day.
“And this gives us 30 days to play in August to figure out how we manage the different pieces until we head to the rosters expanding in September.”
Dipoto said on Monday that the Mariners were still looking for a potential position player, which had been presumed to be one who could play center field. Speculation had the Mariners linked to Leonys Martin in a deal with the Tigers, but then the Indians acquired him earlier Tuesday.
“Cam is having an above-average season defensively,” Dipoto said. “What Cam has always been is an above-average center fielder who is lesser on the corners, believe it or not. He’s a unique player who has excelled when given the opportunity to play center field compared to when you move him to the corner.”
Roster moves
The Mariners added Duke to their 25-man active roster with him arriving on Tuesday.
A spot cleared up with left-hander Roenis Elias heading to the disabled list with a left triceps strain, in a corresponding move.
They’ll still need to clear up two more spots when they add Warren and Maybin. Players have three days to report to their new team after a trade.
Heredia seems the likely candidate to head to Triple-A Tacoma to make way for Maybin, but what the Mariners do about clearing a spot for Warren will get interesting. The relievers with minor-league options are Chasen Bradford, Edwin Diaz and James Pazos. Nick Vincent, Juan Nicasio, Alex Colome and Sam Tuivailala do not have options.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Maybin on Tuesday, the Mariners moved right-hander Dan Altavilla to the 60-day disabled list (retroactive to June 7). Duke’s spot was cleared with minor league starter Chase De Jong being traded away and Warren was added when the Mariners designated infielder Gordon Beckham for assignment.
Trades timeline
Nov. 15: First baseman Ryon Healy comes to Seattle in a trade from American League West rival Oakland for right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan and minor league infielder Alexander Campos.
Dec. 7: Mariners acquire two-time All-Star second baseman Dee Gordon and international bonus pool money from the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor league right-handers Nick Neidert and Robert Duggar and infiedler Christopher Torres.
April 28: Left-hander Roenis Elias returns to the Mariners in a deal with the Red Sox for cash.
May 25: Right-hander Alex Colome, the reigning American League saves leader, and outfielder Denard Span from the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league starting pitchers Andrew Moore and Tommy Romero.
July 27: The Mariners add a power arm to their bullpen in right-hander Sam Tuivaialla from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for minor league right-hander Seth Elledge.
July 30: Two deals. First, the Mariners acquire left-handed reliever Zach Duke from the Minnesota Twins for minor league pitcher Chase De Jong and infielder Ryan Costello. They then sent $1.25 million in international bonus pool money to the Yankees for right-handed reliever Adam Warren.
July 31: Just before the 1 p.m. trade deadline, the Mariners pick up outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor league shortstop Bryson Brigman and international bonus pool money.
This doesn’t include that the Mariners in the past acquired Mitch Haniger, Ben Gamel, Mike Leake, Marco Gonzales, James Pazos and Nick Vincent via trades, as well, who are all on their current 25-man roster.
This story was originally published July 31, 2018 at 12:03 PM.