Mariners Acquire Alex Colome And Denard Span From Rays

KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 15: Alex Colome #37 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on May 15, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 15: Alex Colome #37 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on May 15, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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The Mariners have acquired closer Alex Colome and outfielder Denard Span in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. In exchange for these two veterans, the Mariners traded 2 RHP, Andrew Moore, and Tommy Romero.

The “big get” here is Colome. He has a combined 95 Saves for the Rays since 2016, including a League-leading 47 in 2017. Alex is 29 years old and will be under club control until be become a free agent in 2021, according to Baseball Reference. This season, He has a 4.15 ERA, with a 1.47 WHIP. Now, those numbers are not jumping off of the charts, but he has converted 11 of 13 save opportunities.

Colome seems to be a perfect fit to set up Edwin Diaz, who is leading all of baseball with 17 saves. The Mariners get a high leverage option out of the bullpen and now can move Juan Nicasio to a lower-stress role. Nicasio has struggled mightily this season, so this move makes a lot of sense.

Also coming over is veteran outfielder Denard Span, Span is having a decent season so far, batting .238/.364/.385 over 43 games. He also has four home runs and 28 runs batted in. Span figures to play in Center, with Dee Gordon making a move back to second base following the Injury/Suspension on Robinson Cano.

Span is in his contract year but does have a team option for 2019. This season, Span has walked 28 times to just 24 strikeouts. Even with his .238 batting average, he still has an on-base percentage of .364. With Dee Gordon missing some time with a fractured toe, He could slide into the leadoff role, and there won’t be much of a drop-off.

Is acquiring these two, the Mariners gave up two pitching prospects. Andrew Moore,  spent some time with the Mariners last season, posting a 1-5 record with a 5.34 ERA. In AA Arkansas this season, he has a 3.04 ERA through 9 starts.

Also traded to the Rays is 20-year-old RHP Tommy Romero. He has pitched for the single-A affiliate Clinton Lumberkings. in 2018, he has posted a 2.45 ERA through 9 starts. Neither pitcher traded to the Rays were in the Mariners top 30 prospects, according to MLB.com.

All in all, this trade will help this team compete in 2018 and beyond, without trading the farm away for a rent-a-player. As always, Go Mariners!