Rockies have a sneaky solution to Mariners' most pressing trade deadline need

There's been plenty of talk recently about the state of the Mariners bullpen. How, despite ranking sixth in the majors with a 3.43 ERA through Sunday, they're barely hanging on thanks to a trio of key injuries. The need is there for at least one quality reliever, and one underrated option to consider should be Antonio Senzatela.

The Athletic's Jim Bowden has listed 10 under-the-radar trade targets to keep an eye on between now and the Aug. 3 deadline, including Senzatela. The Rockies moved him to the bullpen full-time this season, then changed his pitch repertoire and sequencing. It's proven to be an inspired decision after a mostly underwhelming major league career as a starter.

The results though 40.1 innings over 22 appearances have been a 2.23 ERA, 3.48 FIP and 1.066 WHIP, which all project to be career-bests in Senzatela's 10th season. On the subject of career-bests, the righty's four seamer has never been better, averaging 97 mph. There's more though, with his reverse splits of a .611 OPS versus right-handed bats and a .578 OPS against left-handers.

A big part of the reason for this is Senzatela's cutter, which is holding left-handed bats to a .111 average. It's impressive to think this only became part of his arsenal last season, but is already his second-most used pitch. Certainly it's an invaluable weapon to have, in a season when left-handed bats are running amok.

Antonio Senzatela could be even better in Seattle, but will the Mariners be aggressive in pursuing relief help?

It's also important to note that while Senzatela has a 3.32 ERA at home, he's pitching in the mile high atmosphere of Coors Field. By contrast, he has a tremendous 1.27 ERA on the road. You can just imagine how well he could do at T-Mobile Park, one of the ultimate pitcher-friendly stadiums in the majors.

Of course, just because Bowden indicated Senzatela is the most likely Rockies reliever to be dealt, it doesn't mean he'll necessarily end up in Seattle. Further, Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said last week Matt Brash should be considered as a trade-deadline-type acquisition addition, with him not set to return from injury until August.

The comments from Hollander almost alluded to telling the fanbase the front office won't be aggressive in looking for relief help. What's concerning about this is Cooper Criswell and Carlos Vargas similarly won't be back until August, with the added stress that Andrés Muñoz is seemingly no longer reliable.

As such, Mariners fans will just have to hope the front office ends up taking an approach similar to last year's trade deadline, which helped transform the team into genuine World Series contenders. And if the M's do end up adopting the same mindset, Senzatela would represent a tremendous Plan B if Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman ends up not being obtainable.

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