ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – In what could be the first of multiple moves prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline, the Rays announced late Thursday night they traded Randy Arozarena to the Mariners for a pair of prospects and a player to be named.
The popular Arozarena, whose Randy Land section in left field had become a fixture at Friday home games, is making $8.1 million this season with two years of arbitration eligibility.
Zach Eflin, due $18 million next season in the final year of his record three-year pact, and Brandon Lowe, who is making $8.75 million this season with two years of arbitration eligibility, could also be on the move.
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After hitting below .200 for most of the season’s first half, Arozarena has been productive in recent weeks and is hitting .275 with a .913 OPS in July. His recent surge undoubtedly appealed to teams looking to bolster their offense with the struggling Mariners emerging as the Rays’ trade partner.
Arozarena was acquired from St. Louis in January 2020 as part of a deal that sent then-pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore to the Cardinals. After joining the club late in the abbreviated 2020 season, the left fielder went on a postseason tear in which he hit .377 with a record 10 home runs. In 568 regular season games with Tampa Bay, Arozarena hit .255 with a .786 OPS with 94 stolen bases.
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In return for Arozarena, the Rays acquired 22-year-old righthanded pitcher Brody Hopkins and 20-year-old outfielder Aidan Smith. Both were playing for Class-A Modesto in the California League.
The Rays are 52-51 and four games out in a crowded wild-card race. They open a five-game homestand with the first of three against Cincinnati on Friday night.
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