Rays Trade Randy Arozarena to Mariners in Blockbuster Deadline Deal

The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to trade All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners in a blockbuster deal days before Major League Baseball’s trade deadline.

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The Mariners, in desperate need of offensive help, are now getting it in one of the best impact bats expected to be traded before July 30.

The Rays are getting outfielder Aidan Smith, right-handed pitcher Brody Hopkins, and a player to be named later in the deal for Arozarena.

“Randy is a dynamic, high-energy all-around player who has excelled in the biggest moments on the biggest stages,” Mariners general manager said to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. “He’s going to be a great addition to our clubhouse and lineup.”

Arozarena, 29, could end up being the best hitter traded at this year’s deadline. The 2023 All-Star has had a bit of a down year in 2024, but has been significantly better as of late. On the year, the Cuban native is slashing .211/.318/.394 with 15 home runs, 37 RBIs, and an OPS of .712. Over the last week, though, Arozarena has three home runs and an OPS of 1.266. Over the last 15 games, he has an OPS of .992.

While Arozarena has had success in the regular season across his six-year career, he’s always had a knack for coming up big in the biggest moments.

Arozarena has a career postseason OPS of 1.104 across 33 games. He also has 11 home runs, including three in six World Series games. Arozarena was named the 2020 American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player after he hit four home runs and had an OPS of 1.152 across the seven-game series.

Arozarena will instantly become one of the best hitters in a struggling Mariners’ lineup. Seattle’s hitters have a combined batting average of .216 this season, which is dead last in MLB. Their 93 wRC+ ranks tied for 22nd.

The need for Arozarena, which was already great, only became more dire with the loss of All-Star outfielder Julio Rodriguez and shortstop J.P. Crawford, who will both be on the injured list for the foreseeable future.

As for the return, the Rays are getting the Mariners’ Nos. 12 and 22 ranked prospects, per MLB Pipeline, along with a player to be named later. Smith, the No. 12 prospect, is a 20-year-old outfielder who’s slashing .284/.402/.470 in 77 Single-A games this season. He also has nine home runs, 42 RBIs, 29 stolen bases, and an OPS of .872. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft and could debut by 2027, per MLB Pipeline.

Hopkins, the No. 22 prospect, is a 22-year-old starting pitcher who’s made 18 starts at Single-A this year, going 4-3 with a 2.90 ERA. He has 95 strikeouts and has allowed just two home runs across 83.2 innings. His expected debut season is 2026.

The Mariners have gone 6-12 in July and have lost eight of their last nine games. They needed a spark, and seem to have found it in the electric Arozarena.

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