As introduced by each groups, the Mariners have acquired infielder Austin Shenton in a commerce with the Rays. Seattle will ship money issues to Tampa Bay in return. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Mariners designated right-handed pitcher JT Chargois for task.
Shenton started his skilled profession with the Mariners, who chosen him within the 2019 draft. Although he was by no means a highly-ranked prospect, the versatile defender rapidly labored his means up the minor league ladder, hitting nicely at each step alongside the best way. In 120 video games throughout 4 ranges in Seattle’s system, he hit .299 with 46 doubles and 19 dwelling runs, good for a .940 OPS. Whereas he spent most of his time at third base, he additionally took reps at first base, second base, and each outfield corners.
Forward of the 2021 commerce deadline, the M’s dealt Shenton to the Rays in trade for right-handed reliever Diego Castillo. Funnily sufficient, the opposite participant Seattle despatched to Tampa Bay in that commerce was none aside from Chargois. (After temporary stints with the Rays and Marlins, Chargois made his means again to the Mariners on the commerce deadline this previous summer season. However extra on him in a second.) Accidents reduce into Shenton’s taking part in time within the Rays system in 2021 and ’22, however after his robust 2023 season (1.006 OPS in 134 video games between Double and Triple-A) the crew added him to the 40-man roster to guard him from the Rule 5 draft.
Shenton wasn’t as dominant with the stick in 2024, however he supplied above-average offense for each Triple-A Durham and the Rays over a handful of video games with the large league membership. In his first MLB season, he slashed .214/.340/.405 throughout 50 plate appearances, good for a 120 wRC+. These are respectable numbers for a lefty bench bat, however nonetheless, Shenton was the casualty when the Rays wanted to release an additional roster spot to guard a pair of promising pitchers from this yr’s Rule 5 reaping. He was DFA’d yesterday night.
Regardless of his stable offensive manufacturing, it’s not exhausting to guess what the Rays may need been pondering. Whereas his bat has actual promise, Shenton will probably be 27 years outdated subsequent season, and he comes together with his fair proportion of flaws. Though he has performed a number of positions, he may not be able to common MLB taking part in time wherever aside from first base. As for his offense, he has engaging energy and an excellent eye, however strikeouts might be his downfall towards the best stage of competitors. He has additionally had dreadful splits towards same-handed pitching in two of the final three seasons. On high of all that, he has typically had bother staying on the sector; he frolicked on the IL in every of his first 4 skilled campaigns.
Regardless, the Mariners should have favored what they noticed (and what they remembered) of Shenton, and there’s little danger for Seattle in taking him on. He nonetheless has two minor league choice years remaining, so he gained’t get any taking part in with the large league membership until he earns it. Furthermore, it’s not as if Chargois was going to be a key participant within the M’s bullpen subsequent season. Fairly, he gave the impression to be a probable non-tender candidate forward of this week’s deadline.
Chargois, 34 in December, is a journeyman low-leverage reliever who has bounced between the Twins, Dodgers, Mariners, Rays, and Marlins all through his huge league tenure. He additionally spent a season with the Rakuten Eagles in Japan. The veteran righty has by no means been a flashy title, however his profession 3.35 ERA and three.84 SIERA over 23 1 1/3 innings are spectacular numbers. Sturdiness and damage considerations (he has by no means pitched greater than 53 2/3 innings in a season) might forestall him from signing something greater than a minor league contract this winter, however his glowing 2.23 ERA and stable 4.18 SIERA from this previous season ought to assist him discover a new place to pitch in 2025.
