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It wouldn’t be a blockbuster trade, but acquiring John Axford could be a quality addition to a playoff caliber team in the Seattle Mariners.
The Canadian right-hander has revolutionized himself this season as a Toronto Blue Jay. After a couple of years with the Milwaukee Brewers dominating as a closer, Axford spent years as a “depth piece” on many clubs. The reasoning he was able to rack up 50 plus appearances in these seasons mentioned is due to the mediocre teams he was playing on.
But if you go back far enough, Axford was once a part of postseason clubs. He made the World Series with the St Louis Cardinals, and the NLCS with the Brewers, giving him a key attribute; October experience.
In those two seasons, he was more than just another guy. He totaled up for 12 games played, 12.2 innings pitched, making for a 1.42 era.
The Reason
Some wonder why we are writing about a bullpen need when the starting rotation has a huge hole, but there is a reason. Like the Kansas City Royals did in 2014 and 2015, the Mariners could also build a super pen which would take the weight off of the starting staff. With Alex Colome and Edwin Diaz, the cornerstones are set, now its time to build around the two men.
With Axford, you are getting just that.
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A Comparison
In 2015, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired big name guys like David Price and Troy Tulowitzki, but they also received a reliever named Mark Lowe from the Mariners. Although Lowe was nothing more than a middle inning reliever, he brought a lot to the club on and off the field in their World Series push.
Axford could be that guy here.
The Cost
A move like this won’t cost much at all. A low-level prospect with moderate success may do the trick.
Axford is an affordable get.
Next: Seattle Mariners Trade a Day – Josh Harrison
It’s not a sexy move, it’s not at all. But “The Ax Man,” could turn a great bullpen into the best pen in Mariners history.