MLB Draft: Top 5 First Round Draft Picks in Seattle Mariners History

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#5

Jason Varitek

I know what you are thinking. Isn’t Jason Varitek that catcher for the Boston Red Sox, who was their captain for 8 years, and led them to their first (and second) World Series title? Yes, that same guy. Well then, why don’t we ever remember him in a Mariners uniform?

After Seattle Mariners drafted Varitek number 14 overall in the first round of the 1994 amateur draft; they traded him before he even hit the big leagues. Varitek was dealt to the Boston Red Sox in 1997 in a trade that included another Mariners prospect named Derek Lowe. In return, the Mariners received reliever Heathcliff Slocumb for both their prospects.

The trade ended up being one of the worst deals in franchise history for the Seattle Mariners, and one of the best moves ever made by the Boston Red Sox. Varitek went on to be a three time All-Star and two time World Series Champ.

He won The Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy in 2004, and topped off his accolades winning the Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger Award in 2005. He ended up being a .256 BA career hitter with 193 home runs, and drove in a total of 757 RBI.

I don’t think those are Hall of Fame career numbers, but many Boston fans would beg to differ. Varitek was their leader, and was the center piece of the team that finally beat the “Curse of the Bambino” when the Red Sox won their first ever World Series in 2004. Mariners fans SMH reminded of what could have been.