The Seattle Mariners made two trades today, first sending Robbie Ray to the Giants:

Mitch Haniger is returning to Seattle.

On a busy Friday for roster moves, the Mariners finalized a trade with the San Francisco Giants to reacquire Haniger, who left the Mariners after the 2022 season as a free agent, with right-handed pitcher Anthony DeSclafani and $3 million in cash for left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray.

SeattleTimes.com

Ray only made one start in 2023, losing the rest of the season due to surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his pitching elbow. He is a high strikeout pitcher who brought his walks under control in his prime, which pushed him to among the best in the league.

Haniger came up to the majors in his prime, and his first two full seasons were his best. He posted an abysmal .266 OBP in 2023. DeSclafani posted an up and down career so far, and after an ankle injury produced two poor seasons, the Mariners have to hope for some upside.

The second trade involved the Rays:

In his 12th trade with Tampa Bay featuring MLB players, Dipoto acquired left-handed hitting outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley for utility infielder Jose Caballero.

SeattleTimes.com

Raley is another player who came up late. Only three seasons into his career, he’ll play 2024 as a 29 year old. Caballero was old for a rookie at 26, but did a fantastic job in the minors of getting on base, and drew a good number of walks in his rookie season.

Overall, I’m not sure the Mariners improved themselves very much. The Giants have upside with Ray, and the Rays will likely play Caballero to his strengths.