The Seattle Mariners have acquired utility player Nick Solak in a deal with the Cincinnati Reds. The Mariners sent cash to the Reds to complete the transaction and will send Solak to AAA Tacoma.
Solak was designated for assignment by the Reds after not making the Opening Day roster so Seattle decided to acquire some depth. Solak is a versatile player, having played games at 2B (144), LF (51), CF (13), 3B (11) and 1B (1) over a four-year major league career, all with the Texas Rangers.
The 28-year-old Solak played for Texas from 2019-22, hitting .252 with a .327 on-base percentage. He has 21 career home runs and hit a career-high 11 in in 2021.
For the Mariners, he'll be some much-needed infield depth, most likely. The team starts J.P. Crawford at shortstop and Kolten Wong at second base. Utility man Dylan Moore is on the injured list to start the season, leaving the Mariners with just Sam Haggerty and veteran Tommy La Stella as viable infield options.
Should someone get injured at the major league level, Solak would be a logical replacement.
With the move, the Mariners 40-man roster is now complete.
Solak was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2016 out of the University of Louisville before being dealt to the Rays, who then traded him to the Rangers. He was dealt to the Reds this past offseason for cash before being acquired by the Mariners on Friday.
The Mariners continue their season on Saturday, as they take on the Cleveland Guardians. Both teams are currently 1-1 on the season. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET.
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