Seattle Mariners: Re-grading the trade deadline

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 04: Zach Duke #33 of the Seattle Mariners walks back to the mound after allowing a run in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Safeco Field on September 4, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 04: Zach Duke #33 of the Seattle Mariners walks back to the mound after allowing a run in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Safeco Field on September 4, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /
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RHP SAM TUIVAILALA

SEATTLE, WA – JULY 31: Sam Tuivailala #62 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the seventh inning in his debut for the team against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on July 31, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – JULY 31: Sam Tuivailala #62 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the seventh inning in his debut for the team against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on July 31, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

This is the one outlier of the deadline, as it falls on the circumstances rather than the player. Tuivailala only appeared in five games before tearing his achilles tendon covering first base in Texas.

In those five games, Tui impressed with great poise in high-leverage situations while flashing a fantastic slider that got him out of his Mariner debut unscathed against the Astros. The future appears to be bright for Tui, which makes his injury even more unfortunate.

Thankfully, Tui is club-controlled for the next four seasons. That’s great news for his growing sub-fanbase within the Mariners community, which has quickly fallen in love with the 25-year-old reliever.

The injury is disappointing and, consequently, the deal negatively impacted the 2018 season. Still, there is a lot to be excited about with Tuivailala moving forward so it remains a solid deal for the Mariners in the end.

Initial grade: A-
Re-evaluated grade: B