Throwback Thursday: Trade Deadline Fun
* We continue our look back at the 2014 season with the Throwback Thursday slot. Also, be sure to watch for the Turn Back The Clock posts that focus on a particular day in Mariners history.
In one of the more interesting trade deadlines for the Mariners, Jack Zduriencik made some trades that, I thought, would push the M’s team into the playoffs.
Failing to sign Kendrys Morales in the off season didn’t stop the Mariners from acquiring him halfway through the season. In a somewhat predictable trade, the Mariners acquired Morales from the Twins for relief pitcher Stephen Pryor. Pryor, who was coming off shoulder surgery, appeared in just one game for the Mariners, going 1 2/3 innings giving up one run, one hit, and two walks.
In a trade that I wasn’t too excited about, the Mariners got Chris Denorfia from the Padres for OF Abraham Almonte and a minor league pitcher. I wasn’t upset with what we got rid of, Almonte struggled to show the discipline that was needed to be an everyday outfielder.
Almonte appeared in 27 games for the Mariners posting a .198 average. Chris Denorfia was brought in to be the 4th OF who would hit mostly against lefties. This trade didn’t work out, Denorfia struggled at the plate.
In a trade that shook the majors, the Mariners got Austin Jackson from the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers would send Drew Smyly to the Rays for David Price and the Mariners would send Nick Franklin to Tampa as well. With the acquisition of Robinson Cano in the off season, Nick Franklin was kind of “out of a position” for the M’s. Brad Miller secured the starting short stop spot in spring training so it was only a matter of time before Nick was sent packing.
Austin Jackson was brought in to be the starting Center Fielder and the lead off man. Sure what we know now things didn’t work out with Austin Jackson but we have the whole 2015 season to see if he will be with the Mariners in the future.
This trade deadline was so exciting, I remember sitting on twitter watching all the rumors and reports and the reactions. While the 2014 season ended in heartbreak. It is just a matter of time before the Mariners are back in the playoffs and showing the their still is baseball in the Pacific Northwest.