Mariners trade Joaquin Benoit to Blue Jays for reliever Drew Storen
Jul 26, 2016, 8:23 PM | Updated: Jul 27, 2016, 2:27 pm
The Mariners made their second move of the trade-deadline season Tuesday night, sending Joaquin Benoit to Toronto for Drew Storen and cash considerations in a swap of struggling right-handed bullpen options.
Benoit, 39, was an offseason trade acquisition by the Mariners from San Diego, and he was expected to be the team’s main setup man and insurance behind closer Steve Cishek. But he has scuffled since an early stint on the disabled list and been plagued with command issues, registering 15 walks to 28 strikeouts in 26 relief appearances. He has a 5.18 ERA over 24 1/3 innings, and manager Scott Servais has been going to rookie phenom Edwin Diaz in setup situations with more regularity in recent weeks.
Storen, 28, was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Sunday after posting a 6.21 ERA in 38 appearances this season. The 10th overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft by Washington, Storen was in the majors by the next year and had a mostly successful six-year tenure with the Nationals. He served as the team’s closer in 2013, registering 43 saves, and had the role again for part of 2015, saving 29 games before Jonathan Papelbon took over.
Both Storen and Benoit will be free agents after the season.