The Mariners have announced that they’ve acquired switch-pitcher Pat Venditte from the Blue Jays for a player to be named. To clear space for him, they’ve designated righty Donn Roach for assignment. Venditte has been assigned to Triple-A Tacoma.
The 31-year-old Venditte had appeared in eight games with the Jays this season. He’d spent the bulk of the year with Triple-A Buffalo, where he posted a 4.37 ERA and 3.3 BB/9, but with a very high 13.4 K/9. He has a 4.58 ERA, 7.2 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 37 1/3 career big-league innings, suggesting his highly unusual ability to pitch with either hand is more than a curiosity. He has, however, been much better as a left-handed pitcher in his brief big-league career, and that trend also existed in the minors this year. The trade for Venditte was the Mariners’ second acquisition of a reliever today, with the first being their trade for Arquimedes Caminero of the Pirates. Whereas that move seemed designed to immediately improve the big-league roster, though, it appears they’ll use Venditte primarily as depth for now.
The 26-year-old Roach has appeared in four games with Seattle in 2016, but he’s spent most of the year with Tacoma, posting a 4.75 ERA, 5.2 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9 while pitching 108 innings, mostly as a starter. He has a career 5.77 ERA, 4.6 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in parts of three seasons in the big leagues, during which he’s also appeared with the Padres and Cubs.
24TheKid
Our bullpen this year has gone from great to terrible to ok this year these to moves could make them great again because of there alone impact but helping to settle down the bullpen making everyone’s job easier, if the starting pitching can keep pitching how they have been this last week thy may be able to make this a 3 team division race.
whereslou
Now are we going after circus freaks? Just kidding this guy intrigues me. Saw him pitch once with the weird glove and switching hands. I wonder if Dipoto has plans to call him up. Again I hope we didn’t give anything good away for him. There are some older guys just playing AAA ball because the pay is decent for a summer job they can have one of them
AngelFan69
The garbage collectors of the league will pickup any pitching leftovers and then award them huge contracts …
24TheKid
Can you explain your thinking
whereslou
Not sure what garbage we have picked up and awarded big contracts to. I can think of a couple of players another team has picked up and awarded big contracts to like Pujols and Hamilton how has that worked out for you? I guess we need to look in the mirror before we cast stones.
marinersblue96
What pitcher did Anaheim pick up?
JT19
Because Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, and CJ Wilson have worked absolute wonders for the Angels right? So many MVPs/Cy Youngs for them after they signed big contracts with the Angels.
JustLikeaGiant
On one hand, this move could work out. On the other, it may not
stormie
Intriguing analysis.
LittleLebowski
Hahaha
MB923
LOL
SODO MOJO
Intrigue perfectly describes this move. More excited about Caminero’s fastball. Now let’s unload Lind.
Ben 20
Nathan and Thornton available. I say keep bringing in bodies. Pete and John do so and look at the competition and winning It has brought to the Seahawks.