The Seattle Mariners have made a move to bolster their bullpen by trading for Tampa Bay Rays closer Diego Castillo according to Jeff Passan.
The Seattle Mariners are finalizing a deal to acquire reliever Diego Castillo from the Tampa Bay Rays, sources tell ESPN. Deal is pending a review of medicals.
There’s the replacement for Kendall Graveman. Mariners going out and making moves. Rays trade from deep pitching core.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 29, 2021
Earlier in the week the Mariners made a surprising move by trading their closer Kendall Graveman to the Houston Astros but this move now gives them a proven closer to fill the hole left by Graveman.
In return for the hard throwing righty, the Rays will receive a package of RHP JT Chargois and third base prospect Austin Shenton according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic.
Rays acquiring RHP JT Chargois and third-base prospect Austin Shenton from Mariners for Diego Castillo, sources tell @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 29, 2021
Castillo has been very consistent over his career with a 2.99 ERA over his four seasons in the Majors. 2021 has been no different with a 2.72 ERA, 49 strike outs, and 14 saves. With a team ERA of 4.54 and having just lost Graveman this will be a welcome addition to the Mariners Bullpen.
JT Chargois has pitched 30 innings this year and has pitched to a 3.00 ERA with 29 strikeouts. Chargois will be able to eat up innings for the Rays after earlier in July they traded away starting pitcher Rich Hill to the New York Mets. Austin Shenton was the number 17 ranked prospect in the Mariners farm system and has been successful in minor leagues so far this year.