*Photo from Bluebird Banter*
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Seattle Mariners have acquired RHP Yimi Garcia from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for OF Jonatan Clase and catcher Jacob Sharp. The trade has been confirmed by both teams.
Despite possessing a dominant pitching staff, the Mariners aided the bullpen by adding Garcia, a reliever who is set to become a free agent in the offseason. In games he pitched this season, the Blue Jays went 22-7. If he had enough innings pitched to qualify, his 36.5 percent strikeout rate would be 7th best among relievers.
Seattle GM Justin Hollander said in a statement "Yimi has been one of the best relievers in the American League this year, dominating the strike zone, missing bats, and pitching in high leverage. He has big-game experience, and we're excited to add him to our bullpen."
Garcia is in his 3rd season with the Blue Jays after signing in Toronto as a free agent. This season, he has authored a 2.70 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 2.64 FIP, averaging 12.6 strikeouts per 9 innings and 2.4 walks per 9 over 30 innings pitched, recording 5 saves in 29 appearances.
While the Mariners offense has struggled to produce all year, Mariners relievers have been charged with 9 of the team's 20 losses as they went from a 10 game lead in the AL West to a dogfight for first place with the Houston Astros. With setup man Gregory Santos having missed time due to injury, the addition of Garcia helps shore up the leverage innings alongside Santos and closer Andres Munoz.
Garcia said of the trade "It’s a mix of emotions that I’m feeling right now. I’m very happy that I’m going to the Mariners, of course. They’re contending right now. I’m also very sad to leave the Blue Jays organization. They’re first-class. They treated me with a lot of respect and my teammates, too. From that aspect, I’m very sad."
In return, the Blue Jays get Clase, the Mariners 10th ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline. One of the fastest players in the Mariners organization, he had 79 stolen bases last season in the minor leagues and has 26 in 59 games in Triple A this year. The Blue Jays optioned Clase to Triple A Buffalo.
Clase did make his MLB debut with the Mariners this season. He has a .195/.233/.220 slash line with a 34 OPS+ in the majors, recording 8 hits and 3 stolen bases in 43 plate appearances over 19 games. With Triple A Tacoma this season, he has a .274/.373/.483 slash line with 11 doubles, 10 home runs, and 34 RBI's in 59 games.
Sharp was a 17th round draft pick of the Mariners in the 2023 draft and was not a top 30 prospect in their system. Playing for the Low A Modesto Nuts this season, Sharp has a .255/.339/.435 slash line with 11 doubles, 6 home runs, and 29 RBI's in 44 games.
The Blue Jays called up Zach Pop to take Garcia's spot on the roster in the wake of the trade, while Clase will report to Triple A Buffalo and Sharp will most likely report to the Low A Dunedin Blue Jays in Florida, also home of spring training for the Blue Jays.
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