Pitcher Pablo Lopez
Pablo Lopez was an after thought for the Mariners when he was dealt to the Miami Marlins in exchange for David Phelps in 2017. He was a lower-end prospect in the Mariners farm system at the time, but he has developed into a solid starter. Lopez is currently with the Minnesota Twins after the Marlins traded him after the 2022 season. He currently posts a 1.35 ERA in three starts for the Twins this year and for his career has a 3.84 ERA in 97 career starts with 9.3 WAR. He is a simple case of the Mariners being too eager to win now as they let go of a young player too early. Lopez had an exceptional 2016 in Low-A Clinton for the M’s in 2016 with a 2.13 ERA and (7-1) record. However, he regressed in 2017 (5-8) with a 5.04 ERA in High-A Modesto. The Marlins acquired Pablo Lopez as a nice buy-low get acquiring him for David Phelps who only made 10 appearances as a reliever, finishing with a 3.12 ERA and (2-1) record. Phelps missed all of 2018, before signing with the Blue Jays in 2019. Pablo Lopez served as a cautionary tale for Jerry Dipoto, a lesson his critics should learn from when other deals do not materialize at the trade deadline.