New Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is already taking steps to upgrade a Seattle bullpen that ranked 25th in the MLB in reliever ERA last season.
On Thursday, the Mariners acquired veteran righty Joaquin Benoit from the San Diego Padres, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. In exchange, the Padres will receive two minor leaguers: 19-year-old right-hander Enyel De Los Santos and 23-year-old infielder Nelson Ward (per Corey Brock of MLB.com who also noted that roughly half of the league had registered interest in Benoit).
#Padres trade RP Joaquin Benoit to #Mariners for RHP Enyel De Los Santos, INF Nelson Ward. Santos, 19, big arm. 15 teams called on Benoit.
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) November 12, 2015
Benoit, 38, posted a 2.34 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 67 relief appearances for the Padres last season. He should serve as a valuable setup man for the Mariners, paving the way for strikeout-pitcher Carson Smith in the ninth inning.
As for the Padres, this could be a sign that general manager A.J. Preller is prioritizing more of a cost-effective youth movement after watching many of his big-name free agent signings last offseason blow up in his face.
Image Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
*Stats courtesy of ESPN*
