The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to trade right-handed relief pitcher Drew Storen to the Seattle Mariners for another right-handed pitcher Joaquin Benoit.
Toronto Blue Jays Trade Drew Storen
Drew Storen, former closer for the Washington Nationals, has struggled since joining Toronto this year. He has a 3.31 career ERA, but has posted a 6.21 ERA in 38 appearances for the Blue Jays this year. Storen was designated for assignment two days ago after giving up a three-run home run to Nelson Cruz in his last game with the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays had eight days to trade or release him. If they had released him, they would have been responsible for the rest of his $8,375,000 salary.
The Blue Jays traded for Storen in January after the awful end of the 2015 season that he had. Through July, Storen had converted 29 of 31 saves with a 1.64 ERA, 48 strikeouts and nine walks in 38 1/3 innings. The Nationals decided to trade for closer Jonathan Papelbon, and Storen fell hard. He struggled the rest of the season before breaking his thumb in an angry outburst in the locker room, ending his season.
Storen also had a great year in 2011 when he tallied up 43 saves for the Nationals. The talent is there, but after his fallout with the Nationals last season, he has not been the same. It does not seem likely that the Mariners would demote their closer Steve Cishek, who has 24 saves and a 2.80 ERA this season, for Storen. That means that Storen will likely remain in the 8th inning role, which has not generated any success for him.
Joaquin Benoit
Joaquin Benoit, who has a 3.87 career ERA has also struggled this year with a 5.18 ERA in only 26 appearances, and a change of scenery might do well for him. Benoit, who turns 39 today, has played fourteen seasons with the Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers, and San Diego Padres.
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