The Seattle Mariners went out and replaced the back end of their bullpen by acquiring closer Diego Castillo from the pitching-rich Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.
The Rays get right-handed relief pitcher JT Chargois and third base prospect Austin Shenton in the deal.
The move comes two days after the Mariners traded Kendall Graveman, who is in the final year of his contract. Castillo, 27, won’t be a free agent until 2025.
Castillo is 2-4 with a 2.72 ERA and a career-high 14 saves in 16 opportunities. He is averaging 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He has a 2.99 career ERA over three-plus seasons with the Rays.
“Diego has been among the league’s better relievers since coming on the scene in 2018,” Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. “We believe this move adds impact to our pen, both now and in the years ahead.”
Chargois, 30, is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 31 appearances for the Mariners this season, his first in Seattle. The Rays will be his fourth team in four major league seasons.
Shenton, 23, is rated the 17th-best prospect in Seattle’s organization. He has played at high Class-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas in 2021. He’s batting a combined .300 with a .980 OPS with 12 home runs and 61 RBIs.
