Mariners, Purple Sox Swap Luis Urias, Isaiah Campbell

The Mariners introduced the acquisition of infielder Luis Urias from the Purple Sox. Reliever Isaiah Campbell is headed to Boston in a one-for-one swap.

Urias, 26, was a consensus top-30 prospect in baseball getting into the 2019 season. Nevertheless, the infielder struggled in restricted enjoying time with the Padres and was shipped to Milwaukee within the deal that introduced Trent Grisham to San Diego. Whereas Urias struggled by the shortened 2020 season with the Brewers, slashing simply .239/.308/.294 whereas showing in 41 of the membership’s 60 video games. Happily for Milwaukee, nevertheless, Urias broke out throughout his age-24 season and proceeded to be an above common common for the Brewers over the following two seasons.

From 2021-22, Urias posted a .244/.340/.426 slash line throughout 1042 journeys to the plate whereas enjoying sturdy protection at shortstop, second base, and third base to anchor the membership’s infield alongside Willy Adames. The Brewers entered 2023 figuring to as soon as once more lean on Urias as a gradual presence on the filth however the 26-year-old was bit by the damage bug earlier than his season might correctly start, touchdown on the injured listing with a hamstring pressure simply after Opening Day. Urias returned in early June however struggled badly on the plate, slashing a brutal .145/.299/.236 throughout 20 video games with the membership this season. That downturn in efficiency led the Brewers to swap Urias to the Purple Sox on the deadline this yr.

Urias was used as a depth choice at second base by Boston, and hit acceptably within the function with a .225/.361/.337 slash line in 109 journeys to the plate with the membership down the stretch. Whereas that efficiency was good for a roughly league common 98 wRC+, Urias was nonetheless considered as a probable non-tendered candidate given his $4.7MM projected wage by MLBTR’s Matt Swartz. Happily for each Urias and the Purple Sox, nevertheless, the Mariners had been keen to take a shot on Urias returning to type in 2024.

Urias makes loads of sense for a Mariners membership that might use an improve to its second base combine, which at present options Josh Rojas and Dylan Moore. Urias figures to offer the membership with a stable right-handed complement to Rojas and fellow lefty JP Crawford up the center who can play succesful protection throughout the infield. If he’s capable of regain his 2021-22 type, Urias could possibly be in line for the lion’s share of begins on the keystone given Rojas’s tepid .245/.303/.338 slash line in 350 plate appearances between Arizona and Seattle this yr.

In return for Urias’s providers, the Purple Sox acquired right-hander Isaiah Campbell. Campbell was a second-round decide by the Mariners within the 2019 draft and made his main league debut out of the bullpen for Seattle earlier this yr. Throughout 28 2/3 innings of labor with the Mariners, Campbell impressed with a 2.83 ERA and three.32 FIP to associate with a stable 27.5% strikeout price. Campbell’s success is all of the extra spectacular for a prospect who skipped the Triple-A degree completely after 24 sturdy innings of labor on the Double-A degree this yr. The 25-year-old figures to be an attention-grabbing bullpen piece for the Purple Sox in 2024, notably given the righty has choices remaining that may permit the membership to shuttle him between Triple-A and the majors in the event that they so select.

Alex Speier of the Boston Globe first reported the Mariners had been buying Urias. Ryan Divish of the Seattle Instances reported the Purple Sox had been buying Campbell.