The Seattle Mariners have made a move to strengthen their infield depth, acquiring young prospect Austin Shenton from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations. The 26-year-old Shenton, who made his major league debut with the Rays earlier this season, provides the Mariners with a versatile left-handed bat and solid defensive skills at multiple infield positions.
However, the addition of Shenton to the 40-man roster necessitated a corresponding move, and the Mariners have elected to designate right-handed reliever JT Chargois for assignment. The 33-year-old Chargois, who spent parts of the 2022 season with both Seattle and Miami, posted a respectable 2.23 ERA across 36 appearances.
A Familiar Face Returns to Seattle
Interestingly, both Shenton and Chargois have previous ties to the Mariners organization. The duo was part of a July 2021 trade that sent them, along with relief prospect Yohanse Morel, to the Rays in exchange for right-hander Diego Castillo. Now, just over three years later, Shenton finds himself back in a Mariners uniform.
During his brief stint with the Rays this season, Shenton appeared in 19 games, batting .214 with one home run and three RBIs. The former fifth-round draft pick out of Florida International University showcased his offensive potential in Triple-A Durham, where he slashed .258/.344/.514 with 20 homers and 65 RBIs in 83 games.
Shenton’s Defensive Versatility a Key Asset
One of Shenton’s most valuable attributes is his ability to handle multiple infield positions. Throughout his minor league career, he has logged significant time at third base, first base, and second base. This versatility could prove crucial for the Mariners, who have dealt with injuries to key infielders like Ty France and Kolten Wong this season.
Austin’s a high-energy player with a good left-handed bat and the ability to play all over the infield. He’s going to provide us with depth and options as we head into the stretch run.
– Mariners GM Mike Blash, according to a team source
Chargois Becomes Odd Man Out
While Shenton’s acquisition bolsters the Mariners’ infield depth, it comes at the expense of Chargois, who has been a solid contributor out of the bullpen over the past two seasons. In 2022, the right-hander posted a 2.45 ERA in 31 appearances with the Mariners before being dealt to the Marlins at the trade deadline.
Despite his strong performance this season, the Mariners ultimately decided that Chargois was expendable given their wealth of bullpen options. The team will now have seven days to either trade Chargois, release him, or pass him through waivers.
Mariners Gear Up for Playoff Push
As the Mariners continue their quest for a postseason berth, the addition of Shenton provides them with another valuable piece to the puzzle. The young infielder’s left-handed bat and defensive versatility could prove essential as the team navigates the final months of the regular season and potentially into October.
For Shenton, the trade represents an opportunity to carve out a role with a contending club and potentially make an impact on a playoff run. As he joins forces with the likes of France, Wong, and J.P. Crawford in the Mariners’ infield, the stage is set for an exciting finish to the 2024 season in the Emerald City.
