The Mariners announced that outfielder Stuart Fairchild has been acquired from the Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations. To open up a roster spot, infielder Kevin Padlo has been designated for assignment.
Arizona DFA’ed Fairchild earlier this week. Originally acquired along with Josh VanMeter in the Archie Bradley deal at the 2020 trade deadline, Fairchild’s tenure with the Diamondbacks saw him make his MLB debut last season, appearing in 12 games and making 17 plate appearance with the D’Backs. Fairchild posted some big numbers at Triple-A in 2021 but got off to a slow start this year, with only a .162/.279/.379 slash line over 43 PA for Triple-A Reno.
Fairchild will now look for a fresh start with his hometown team, as the 26-year-old was born in Seattle and played his high school ball in the Emerald City before playing his college ball at Wake Forest. The Reds selected Fairchild with the 38th overall pick of the 2017 draft, and he has posted solid (.272/.358/.438, 35 homers in 1443 PA) if unspectacular numbers over his minor league career. Fairchild can also play all three outfield positions, making him an interesting depth piece for the Mariners.
Padlo also made his Major League debut in 2021, playing in nine games with the Rays and then one game with the Mariners after being claimed off waivers from Tampa in August. Padlo has 92 home runs and a .239/.350/.439 slash line over 2738 career PA in the minors, with a resume that includes quite a lot of power potential and swing-and-miss.
Despite some nice numbers for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers following last year’s trade, Padlo didn’t get a long look on the M’s big league roster and he was also off to a rough start with the Rainiers this season. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see another club take a flier of a waiver claim on Padlo just as the Mariners did last August, to see if some consistent results could be mined from his power bat.
Morgan’s kid?
The Pirates were interested in Fairchild. but there weren’t enough soda cans to redeem left at PNC on the last homestand.
“Sir, what are you doing in that garbage can!!!?” “Oh, sorry Mr. Nutting, didn’t realize that was you, sir.”
I thought it was Oscar the Grouch in a Bucs uniform
Seattle was a little thin on MLB-ready, or near-ready, OF depth, so this makes sense. He destroyed the the Rainiers last season, so it will be fun to see how he does playing for them.
You can’t have too many OFers. Not sure why Dipoto grabs every OFer available.
I guess maybe JD is right and Dipoto is awful. Lol Maybe just stocking up for fillers at the trade deadline.
With Haniger and Lewis on the IL, Seattle has just 3 true outfielders on the active roster. In Tacoma, it was just Trammell. Souza isn’t on the 40 and likely has an opt-out in May or June.
It may not seem like they’re short, but they’re one injury or demotion from a significant problem.
We have Souza, Hamilton, and Trammell in AAA. So we aren’t lacking on MLB ready depth.
Poor Padlo…