Mariners trade Leake, two relievers at Deadline

SEATTLE -- You didn’t really expect Jerry Dipoto to not make any deals at the Trade Deadline, did you?

The most active general manager in the Major Leagues waited until the final two hours -- and ultimately the very final minute -- on Wednesday before pulling the trigger on two deals. The biggest move sent veteran starter Mike Leake and cash considerations to the D-backs for Minor League infielder Jose Caballero. Seattle also dealt left-handed reliever Roenis Elias and right-hander Hunter Strickland to the Nationals for a trio of Minor League pitchers.

Dipoto said the D-backs, who were also juggling a major trade of ace Zack Greinke to the Astros, didn’t contact him about Leake until about 20 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. PT Deadline, and the deal wound up being finalized with the Major League office just 68 seconds before the cutoff.

The five-player swap with the Nats went through about two hours earlier and brought three pitchers, who Dipoto believes add considerable depth to his already improving farm system.

“We’re really excited about all three of those arms,” the GM said. “It’s rare you get a chance to fill in a lot of prospect depth in one day at so many different levels. … We’re happy with the way the day went.”

Leake is still owed about $3.5 million this season, of which about $1.6 million is being paid by the Cardinals from when they dealt Leake to Seattle in 2017. He’s owed $15 million for 2020, of which the D-backs will pick up $6 million, with St. Louis responsible for $4 million and the Mariners $5 million. Seattle is also on the hook for Leake’s $5 million buyout on an $18 million mutual option for 2021.

Leake waived his no-trade clause to allow the deal to the D-backs and a return to his home, as he pitched for three seasons at Arizona State and now lives in Paradise Valley, Ariz.

“It’s one team I definitely want to say yes to above Seattle,” Leake said. “I grew up a Mariners fan, so that’s in my heart. But going home to Arizona is definitely a [good] chance.”

Caballero is a 22-year-old who posted a .268/.388/.396 line with three homers and 28 stolen bases in 43 games for Class A Advanced Visalia, He has been sidelined since May 30 with a right wrist injury, but he has been cleared to play in an Arizona Rookie League game on Thursday, and he will be sent to Advanced-A Modesto once he’s ready.

Leake’s departure opens the door for highly regarded Mariners prospects Justus Sheffield and Justin Dunn to be promoted to the Majors, though Dipoto said the two will likely remain in Double-A Arkansas until the end of August or when rosters can be expanded in September since the club can go with a four-man rotation for now due to five off-days over the next three weeks.

The bullpen will need more immediate help as Elias and Strickland were dealt for lefties Taylor Guilbeau and Aaron Fletcher and right-hander Elvis Alvarado, as Guilbeau is the only one in that group who is close to MLB ready. He’ll report for now to Tacoma before likely getting a late-season promotion.

“We lost a couple pretty good pitchers,” manager Scott Servais told reporters in Arlington. “It’s the Trade Deadline and we knew there’d be an opportunity for us to lose a couple guys, and we did as we continue to transition our roster, picking up younger players, players who can play a part in our future going forward.”

Dipoto has been remaking the Mariners’ roster since he took over in Seattle in late 2015, and this year he has been focused on moving players with short-term value for prospects who can help in the longer run.

Guilbeau is a 26-year-old who was ranked as the Nationals’ No. 15 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. Alvarado is a 20-year-old pitching in the Dominican Rookie League, while Fletcher, 23, was drafted in the 14th round in 2018 and has pitched at the Class A and Double-A levels this year.

Fletcher was the Nats’ No. 21-ranked prospect.

Guilbeau appears the closest of the three to providing help at the Major League level. A 10th-round Draft pick in 2015, the 6-foot-4 southpaw impressed in the Arizona Fall League last year and is currently at Triple-A Fresno, where he’s posted a 5.19 ERA in 8 2/3 innings over his first seven relief appearances. He was promoted recently to Fresno after putting up a 2.31 ERA with 44 strikeouts and 10 walks in 35 innings over 27 outings for Double-A Harrisburg.

Fletcher also is a lefty reliever who has risen quickly through three levels of the Nats’ Minor League system this year and is currently at Harrisburg. He has combined for a 5-4 record and 1.79 ERA in 60 1/3 innings with 69 strikeouts in 32 games. He will report to Double-A Arkansas.

Since the season began, the Mariners have traded veterans Edwin Encarnacion and Jay Bruce in June and utility man Kristopher Negron on Sunday. Now Elias -- who has been serving as Seattle’s closer for the past few months -- heads to the Nats, along with Strickland, who just came off the 60-day injured list on Sunday after missing most of the year with a strained right lat muscle.

Elias is earning $910,000 this season and has two years of team control remaining before hitting free agency after the 2021 season. Strickland signed a $1.3 million deal this year as a free agent after being non-tendered by the Giants, but he also has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining.

Elias, who turns 31 on Thursday, has been a versatile lefty who has pitched as a starter, long reliever and setup man. Strickland opened the season as Seattle’s closer and saved two games against the A’s in Japan before straining his lat in the fourth game of the year.

Strickland threw a scoreless inning in his first game off the IL on Sunday against the Tigers while consistently hitting 96 mph with his fastball.