Mariners Acquire Reliever Gregory Santos from White Sox

The Seattle Mariners bolstered their pitching staff by acquiring hard-throwing reliever Gregory Santos in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. Santos, a 24-year-old right-hander, had an impressive 2023 season with the White Sox, posting a 3.39 ERA, five saves, and a 2-2 record in 60 appearances. He will join Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz in fortifying the Mariners’ bullpen.

Following their third-place finish in the AL West with an 88-74 record last year, the Mariners have been active in the offseason. They recently reacquired outfielder Mitch Haniger and obtained infielder Jorge Polanco in separate trades with the San Francisco Giants and Minnesota Twins, respectively.

To secure Santos, the Mariners parted with reliever Justin Topa, addressing a need in their bullpen. In exchange for Santos, the White Sox received right-hander Prelander Berroa, outfielder Zach DeLoach, and the No. 69 pick in the 2024 draft. Additionally, the White Sox acquired outfielder Dominic Fletcher from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade for right-hander Cristian Mena.

DeLoach, a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, showcased his potential at Triple-A Tacoma last year, batting .286 with 23 homers and 88 RBIs. Fletcher, a 26-year-old with major league experience, hit .301 in 28 games with the Diamondbacks in 2023.

The White Sox’s general manager, Chris Getz, emphasized the strategic nature of the trades, aiming to build for the short term while securing controllable players. The addition of a draft pick also enhances the team’s future prospects.

With Andrew Benintendi and Luis Robert Jr. in the outfield, the White Sox see Fletcher and DeLoach as contenders for the vacant right field position. Getz expressed confidence in both players contributing positively to the team.

Prelander Berroa, who made his MLB debut last year, is viewed as a reliever with back-end potential, contributing to the White Sox’s bullpen depth.

The departure of Santos creates uncertainty in the closer role for the White Sox, and trade discussions involving Dylan Cease, the team’s ace right-hander, continue. Getz indicated that decisions would be made based on what benefits the organization, emphasizing ongoing evaluations and discussions regarding potential moves.

The White Sox aim to rebound from a challenging 2023 season, where they finished fourth in the AL Central with a 61-101 record. Getz, who assumed the role of general manager in August, is focused on making strategic moves to improve the team’s competitiveness.

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Seattle Mariners’ Pitching Boost:

The Mariners made a significant addition to their pitching staff by acquiring reliever Gregory Santos from the Chicago White Sox.
Santos, a hard-throwing 24-year-old right-hander, had an impressive 2023 season with the White Sox, boasting a 3.39 ERA, five saves, and a 2-2 record in 60 appearances.
He joins Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz at the back end of the Mariners’ bullpen, adding depth and strength to their relief pitching.

Active Offseason for the Mariners:

The move is part of the Mariners’ active offseason strategy following their third-place finish in the AL West with an 88-74 record in the previous season.
The team previously reacquired outfielder Mitch Haniger in a trade with the San Francisco Giants and acquired infielder Jorge Polanco in a deal with the Minnesota Twins.

Trade Details and Players Involved:

In the trade with the White Sox, the Mariners parted with reliever Justin Topa to secure Santos, addressing a specific need in their bullpen.
The White Sox received right-hander Prelander Berroa, outfielder Zach DeLoach, and the No. 69 pick in the 2024 draft in exchange for Santos.

Outfield Additions for the White Sox:

The White Sox also acquired outfielder Dominic Fletcher in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-hander Cristian Mena.
The additions of DeLoach and Fletcher provide the White Sox with options and depth in the outfield.

Impactful Minor League Performances:

DeLoach, a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, demonstrated his potential at Triple-A Tacoma, batting .286 with 23 homers and 88 RBIs in 138 games.
Fletcher, a 26-year-old with major league experience, hit .301 in 28 games with the Diamondbacks in the 2023 season.

Strategic Moves by White Sox General Manager:

Chris Getz, the White Sox’s general manager, highlighted the strategic nature of the trades, aiming to strengthen the team for the short term while securing controllable players for the future.
The acquisition of a draft pick in the trade with the Mariners adds to the White Sox’s assets for future player development.

Positional Battles in the Outfield:

With Andrew Benintendi and Luis Robert Jr. established in the outfield, the addition of DeLoach and Fletcher creates competition for the vacant right field position.
Getz expressed confidence in both players contributing positively to the team’s outfield dynamics.

Uncertainty in Closer Role:

Santos’ departure creates uncertainty in the closer role for the White Sox, requiring the team to assess and potentially make adjustments in their bullpen strategy.
The team is evaluating trade offers for Dylan Cease, the ace right-hander, considering the potential impact on the overall team dynamics.

Rebuilding After Challenging Season:

The White Sox aim to rebound from a challenging 2023 season, where they finished fourth in the AL Central with a 61-101 record.
Getz, who assumed the role of general manager in August, is focused on making strategic moves to improve the team’s competitiveness and position them for future success.