As spring training nears, the Seattle Mariners have traded right-handed pitcher Darren McCaughan to the Miami Marlins for cash considerations.
Per Marlins' reporter Jordan McPherson on "X:"
Per source, the #Marlins are acquiring RHP Darren McCaughan from Seattle for cash considerations. Only 5 career MLB appearances (1 start) and a 7.07 ERA over 14 innings. 5.40 ERA in three 2023 appearances. Sweeper has good potential (57.9% whiff rate in limited sample size)
For the Marlins, McCaughan could get a chance to crack the Opening Day roster. The rotation has young pieces like Jesus Luzardo, Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett and Eury Perez but will miss Sandy Alcantara for the season after he underwent Tommy John surgery. Miami won 84 games last season and advanced to the playoffs as a National League wild card team.
With the Mariners, McCaughan never really got his shot. He was constantly referred to as a depth piece for Seattle and was a reliable starter in Triple-A who just couldn't break through Seattle's young pitching logjam.
The 27-year-old went 7-8 at the minor league level with a 5.83 ERA in 2023. The PCL is known as a hitter-friendly league.
The Mariners will go with Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo in the starting rotation to begin 2024. If there is a depth starter needed, it likely becomes former first-round pick Emerson Hancock.
Seattle finished 88-74 last season and was third in the American League West. They missed the playoffs by 1.0 game during the last weekend of the season.
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