Top Seattle Mariners Executive Discusses Trade Deadline
President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto spoke about the team's deadline, including several more trade attempts that didn't come to fruition.
Video Transcript
I mean, obviously you guys know what we've, what we've done as far as roster moves, acquisitions and, and departures.
So, for the most part, I guess I'll just kind of open it up and answer any questions you might have.
Jerry, how much improved do you feel like this roster is compared to where it was going into the weekend?
I, I know this is gonna sound absurd to say.
This is a tough roster to improve.
You know, we've not played well.
We've, we've underperformed our talent level, but finding, you know, upgrades from a player perspective in any of these positions leads you back to the best players, probably the one we have.
With the exception being that we wanted to really add to that bullpen, and we knew we needed to add to especially our V left, lineup, but a right-hand hitter would be preferable.
You know, we feel like with Taylor Ward, we got, you know, at least if not the best right-hand bat that moved at this deadline, and certainly among on the short list of the best right-hand bats.
You know, elite on-base skills.
He's, he's been a good performer in this league for six years now, and, and he fits our, our team quite well.
Obviously an everyday player who can handle both, but he-- particularly good against lefties.
And in the Louis deal, we brought back Sir Anthony Dominguez, who has had, you know, vast experience in leverage moments.
Obviously some imperfections, but he's a big-time bat mister who has pitched an important role in a lot of bullpens.
And with Carlos Vargas due back, on the, the near horizon and Matt Brash shortly thereafter, we feel like that combination makes us better.
And, you know, we tried to stay in tune with other things that might help, you know, make the team a little better, and unfortunately, we weren't able to push anything else across.
But we feel like the additions, particularly in the short term of Taylor Ward, you know, the return of Brendan Donovan, the acquisition of Sir Anthony Dominguez.
I think the, the lack of trauma associated with simply having a five-man rotation is all a, a positive step and hopefully gets us moving in the right direction.
