Clutch hitting turning Randy Arozarena trade into huge Mariners success story..
Let’s turn back the clock to the start of the Seattle Mariners’ 2024 season.
The outfield was a somewhat disappointing blend of Julio Rodríguez, Luke Raley, and Mitch Haniger. But with the team still within striking distance of the postseason, the front office decided to be aggressive in seeking assistance in the outfield.
First, they picked up Victor Robles after he had been released by the Washington Nationals in early June. He made an immediate impact and eventually signed a two-year extension, but the team still needed more offense, especially with Haniger continuing to show his age and Raley needing to spend more time at first base to compensate for Ty France’s statistical regression.
So, to fill in the gap in left field, Seattle did a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays to pick up Randy Arozarena in exchange for two top-30 prospects and a player to be named later.
Randy Arozarena is awarding the Mariners’ faith in him one clutch hit at a time.
In 2025, that deal has continued to pay dividends. Across his 94 plate appearances, Arozarena has amassed a 141 OPS+ with an AL-leading 16 walks. His energy, dynamic play style, and overall “aura,” as some might call it these days, has undoubtedly given the team’s offense a much-needed boost.
Randy Arozarena’s no-doubt grand slam brings the Mariners within one! 
pic.twitter.com/2ym7ghlB8n
— MLB (@MLB) April 9, 2025
Most recently, he came up huge in extra innings against the Cincinnati Reds, powering the Mariners to an extra-innings victory and series win with a game-tying homer in the ninth and a game-icing double in the 10th.
That game is typical of how Arozarena has been kicking it into high gear when the squad needs him the most in 2025. Here are a couple of numbers to illustrate just how “clutch” he has been so far:
OPS with two outs: 1.034
OPS with runners in scoring position: 1.060
OPS with two outs and runners in scoring position: 2.156
OPS in 7th inning or later when tied or ahead by one: 1.344
OPS when behind: 1.380
OPS in innings 7-9: 1.201
After almost a full month of somewhat frustrating regular season games, Arozarenais one of a few bright spots in the lineup, especially in an outfield that’s missing Robles and still waiting for Rodríguez to heat up.
He’ll be under team control until 2027 and depending on how these next few years go, it could be wise to seek an extension. He was already a fan favorite for his vibrant yet soft-spoken personality before solidifying his reputation among Seattle with his performance on the field.
Whether he stays long-term or goes elsewhere, the deal that brought him to the Mariners should be remembered as a successful one and a rare strategic victory by the organization’s front office.
Let’s turn back the clock to the start of the Seattle Mariners’ 2024 season.
The outfield was a somewhat disappointing blend of Julio Rodríguez, Luke Raley, and Mitch Haniger. But with the team still within striking distance of the postseason, the front office decided to be aggressive in seeking assistance in the outfield.
First, they picked up Victor Robles after he had been released by the Washington Nationals in early June. He made an immediate impact and eventually signed a two-year extension, but the team still needed more offense, especially with Haniger continuing to show his age and Raley needing to spend more time at first base to compensate for Ty France’s statistical regression.
So, to fill in the gap in left field, Seattle did a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays to pick up Randy Arozarena in exchange for two top-30 prospects and a player to be named later.
Randy Arozarena is awarding the Mariners’ faith in him one clutch hit at a time.
In 2025, that deal has continued to pay dividends. Across his 94 plate appearances, Arozarena has amassed a 141 OPS+ with an AL-leading 16 walks. His energy, dynamic play style, and overall “aura,” as some might call it these days, has undoubtedly given the team’s offense a much-needed boost.
Randy Arozarena’s no-doubt grand slam brings the Mariners within one! pic.twitter.com/2ym7ghlB8n
— MLB (@MLB) April 9, 2025
Most recently, he came up huge in extra innings against the Cincinnati Reds, powering the Mariners to an extra-innings victory and series win with a game-tying homer in the ninth and a game-icing double in the 10th.
That game is typical of how Arozarena has been kicking it into high gear when the squad needs him the most in 2025. Here are a couple of numbers to illustrate just how “clutch” he has been so far:
OPS with two outs: 1.034
OPS with runners in scoring position: 1.060
OPS with two outs and runners in scoring position: 2.156
OPS in 7th inning or later when tied or ahead by one: 1.344
OPS when behind: 1.380
OPS in innings 7-9: 1.201..
After almost a full month of somewhat frustrating regular season games, Arozarenais one of a few bright spots in the lineup, especially in an outfield that’s missing Robles and still waiting for Rodríguez to heat up.
He’ll be under team control until 2027 and depending on how these next few years go, it could be wise to seek an extension. He was already a fan favorite for his vibrant yet soft-spoken personality before solidifying his reputation among Seattle with his performance on the field.
Whether he stays long-term or goes elsewhere, the deal that brought him to the Mariners should be remembered as a successful one and a rare strategic victory by the organization’s front office.