Dipoto: Mariners 'meaningfully better' after Deadline

BOSTON -- The Trade Deadline officially passed on Tuesday, and as the dust settled, a Mariners team that was among the most active buyers in this year’s market believes that it is “meaningfully better than we were a week ago,” in the words of Jerry Dipoto.

“The fact that we were open to and willing to make decisions earlier than many teams, I think, played to our advantage in this market,” the Mariners’ president of baseball operations said. “We thought it was going to be relatively slow, and that will end up being true. ... We’re really happy with what we were able to do.”

Mariners’ Trade Deadline recap

• Players acquired: OF Randy Arozarena, RHP JT Chargois, RHP Yimi García, C Andruw Salcedo (Minors), OF Rhylan Thomas (Minors), 1B/DH Justin Turner

• Players dealt: OF Jonatan Clase (No. 10 prospect), 1B Ty France, RHP Brody Hopkins (No. 22 prospect), RHP Will Schomberg (unranked) OF RJ Schreck (No. 29 prospect) C Jacob Sharp (unranked), OF Aidan Smith (No. 12 prospect), RHP Ryne Stanek, player to be named later

A brutal 1-5 homestand last week -- and squandering a 10-game lead atop the American League West earlier this month -- did not deter Seattle from being aggressive buyers. After Tuesday’s 10-6 win over the Red Sox, the Mariners took a one-game lead over Houston for first place in the AL West.

“We feel like we're in a more meaningful position, as opposed to any of the last three years, because this year we have an opportunity to go win a division,” Dipoto said. “And that's very different than playing for a second or third Wild Card in a lot of ways. So we took it seriously.”

Some other takeaways from Dipoto:

They were looking to add another bat
Arozarena filled a much-needed power void, and Turner was among the best contact hitters available. But the Mariners were looking to do even more.

“We had other irons in the fire on bats, particularly infield bats,” Dipoto said. “Ultimately, the players did not wind up moving. We were generally engaged -- I think about midday today was when it really started to become apparent to us that the next big thing likely wasn't [going] to happen.”

Seattle had interest in Rays first baseman Yandy Díaz, and the biggest fish of all, Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., according to sources. Both players stayed put, as did Pete Alonso, who was linked to trade rumors earlier this year before his Mets stormed up the National League standings. Guerrero, it seems, was never truly available.

• Mariners acquire reliever García from Toronto

Other notable players who weren’t moved include Reds second baseman Jonathan India, Angels second baseman Luis Rengifo, Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon, A’s outfielder Brent Rooker and Angels outfielder Taylor Ward.

“The biggest names that were being floated out there as potentially available, I'm not sure how available they ever really were,” Dipoto said.

The lineup will have a much different look
It already does, with the additions of Arozarena and Turner -- who were among the most productive bats dealt ahead of this year’s Deadline. Both were vessels behind Tuesday’s win, driving in a combined three of Seattle’s 10 runs.

Arozarena has solidified left field. And Turner, who played only 11 games at first base with Toronto, is expected to see regular reps there in Seattle, with Luke Raley appearing to shift into the backup role on days he’s not playing right field. Speaking of that spot, Mitch Haniger has looked better of late. And Victor Robles, filling in for Julio Rodríguez in center, has been the club’s biggest surprise.

“It's going to be a heck of a lot more fun than it was before,” Dipoto said.

Rodríguez (high right ankle sprain) is progressing towards a return that Dipoto hoped would be “sooner than later,” while J.P. Crawford (fractured right pinkie) is still 3-5 weeks out.

They believe they addressed their needs
Seattle set out to add multiple bats and multiple bullpen arms, and did so without parting with prospects at the top of its farm system.

• Mariners re-acquire reliever Chargois in trade with Marlins

“We did the things that we intended to do,” Dipoto said. “We were pretty aggressive throughout. And, you know, to no one's surprise, we manned the phones all day today, trying to do a little bit more, but it is what it is, and we’re very happy with what we were able to do.

“I think the fact that we were able to do this sends a message to our team, to the players and staff in the clubhouse that we want to win and I think this was a step in that direction.”