The Toronto Blue Jays traded reliever Drew Storen and cash considerations to the Seattle Mariners for another reliever in Joaquin Benoit on Tuesday, according to the Mariners’ official PR Twitter account.
Storen, 28, has had his struggles at times with the Blue Jays this season, going 1-3 with a 6.21 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 33.1 innings pitched. He’s served primarily as the team’s setup man with Roberto Osuna firmly entrenched as the team’s closer.
Indeed, the past two seasons have been interesting ones for Storen.
After finally being handed the reins to the Washington Nationals closer’s gig for much of last season, Storen responded with 29 saves. But the Nationals traded for Jonathan Papelbon and moved him into the closer’s role, moving Storen back to the ninth inning.
The decision backfired dramatically. Not only did Storen desire to be traded (per James Wagner of the Washington Post) after Papelbon was acquired, but his performance dipped significantly, as he posted an 8.49 ERA in August and a 5.40 ERA in September.
That made his offseason trade to the Blue Jays for outfielder Ben Revere fairly inevitable. It’s a bit more surprising that he’s already been dealt less than a year later, however.
For Seattle, Storen offers the ability to either solidify the closer position—likely his preferred role—or continue to pitch in the setup role in the eighth inning. He’s a veteran arm who has postseason experience and has flashed the ability to be one of the finest relievers in baseball when he’s at his best.
Steve Cishek has done a rather fine job in the closer role for the Mariners, converting 24 of 29 save opportunities with a 2.80 ERA this season.
That means Storen will likely continue to be a setup man as Seattle hopes to bolster its bullpen and climb the American League wild-card standings down the stretch.
Tuesday’s move appears to be a savvy one-on-one swap for the Mariners. They got younger by dealing the 39-year-old Benoit, who’s had struggles of his own with a 5.18 ERA in 2016.
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