Mariners News: A’s Ship Clippard to New York, Angels Get Victorino

While we all wait and see what the Mariners do at the trade deadline, one thing is clear: The rest of the AL West isn’t waiting.

Jul 11, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Tyler Clippard (36) delivers in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Both the Angels and A’s made moves yesterday. The Angels, buyers at the top of the division, acquired Shane Victorino from the Boston Red Sox while the A’s, sellers at the bottom, shipped closer Tyler Clippard to the New York Mets. This A’s move comes on the heels of trading pitcher Scott Kazmir to the Astros.

Do these moves really impact the Mariners? Not really, other than the M’s will have a marginally easier time beating the A’s from here on out and will have a marginally harder time beating the Angels.

The M’s need to beat both of these teams anyways and need both of them to be able to beat the Astros so the M’s can remain close in the wild card chase.

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• What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
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It is interesting to note that the A’s got back prospect Casey Meisner from the Mets. Why is that interesting? Meisner is a 20-year-old who is 10-4 between low-A and high-A this season. If that’s the return for a good closer, what could a return look like if the M’s were to trade Fernando Rodney at the deadline? Probably not as high, so I say just keep Rodney and let him try to help you from here on out.

What did the Angels give up for Shane Victorino? Infielder Josh Rutledge. Victorino isn’t the same player he was with the Phillies or for the 2013 Red Sox, but he should help the Angels in LF, especially against LHP, at least according to this Foxsports article.

The Mariners take on the Diamondbacks tonight at 7:05. As usual, it’s a must-win.

Go M’s.

More from SoDo Mojo

• 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
• Could the Mariners Acquire AL Batting Champion, Luis Arraez?
• Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
• What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
• Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB

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