Seattle Mariners August 30th, 2020 trade with San Diego will erase decades of bad trades
Luis Torrens
With Tom Murphy solidly in as the starting catcher, Torrens will still get a good look behind the plate. Offensively, he’s never been a big hitter, though his 2019 AA season was the exception. Torrens hit .300 with 15 home runs in 350 at-bats. His confident and disciplined approach around the plate will translate into helping the back-end of the M’s line-up turnover.
Torrens also comes in as an average defender. However, so far in early spring, Seattle Mariners pitchers commented on how comfortable they feel with him behind the plate. During his month with the club last year, Torrens quickly established his competency behind the plate.
While Torrens might be a placeholder for Cal Raleigh, there’s a good chance that he’s on the opening day roster.
Ty France
In 2019, Ty France came one hit away from being the first minor league player to hit over .400 since Erubial Durazo hit .404 in 1999. France hit .399 with 27 home runs and a 1.247 OPS. How has that translated to the Major League level?
France hit .305 with a combined .836 OPS and is off to a torrid start in spring. Batting .615 with a 2.128 OPS, he has three home runs in 15 plate appearances. He slots in as a fantastic #2 hitter in the line-up and, with his on-base ability, should help Kyle Lewis, Kyle Seager, and Mitch Haniger.
While Trammell and Munoz could give France a run-for-the-money as to which one of the players involved in this trade is the ultimate catch. His spring, combined with his development as a hitter, should give hope that he will be a massive contributor to the starting line-up. If his bat continues to produce at a high rate, then the ripple effects will greatly impact those around him in the line-up.