Mariners acquire Taylor Ward in trade with Orioles
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- The Seattle Mariners acquired right-handed-hitting outfielder Taylor Ward from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for reliever Alex Hoppe and minor league pitchers Harrison Kreiling and Brock Moore.
- Ward, a free agent after the season, addresses the Mariners' struggle against left-handed pitching, as the team had a .650 OPS against lefties, the second lowest in MLB.
- At 32, Ward has drawn 87 walks this season, the most in the American League, with a .383 on-base percentage and an .839 OPS against left-handed pitchers.
- The Mariners, coming off a near World Series appearance last year, hold a 55-58 record this season and are currently three games behind in the AL West and two games out of the final wild-card spot.
- Over nine MLB seasons, Ward has a .247 batting average with 120 home runs and 375 RBIs, known for his disciplined approach at the plate with the lowest chase rate in the majors this year.
