Despite sitting just half a game apart in the standings, the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners took drastically different approaches to Monday's trade deadline. The Tigers dealt two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday for three prospects, then sent Casey Mize, their No. 2 starter on an expiring contract, to the San Diego Padres on Monday for two minor league pitchers. Meanwhile, the Mariners added reliever Seranthony Dominguez and right-handed batter Taylor Ward, while trading Luis Castillo to the Chicago White Sox to clear rotation logjam.
These moves suggest the Tigers, who open a three-game series in Seattle on Tuesday, may be conceding the season despite being just 2.5 games back in the AL wild-card race. The Mariners, two games back in the wild-card chase and three behind Houston in the AL West as of Monday afternoon, are clearly pushing for a playoff berth. Seattle acquired Ward from Baltimore for reliever Alex Hoppe and two mid-level pitching prospects, a move aimed at addressing their season-long struggles against left-handed pitchers.
"We are excited to add Taylor to our lineup," Mariners GM Justin Hollander said in a statement. "He has proven to be a consistent performer that is among the very best in the league at getting on base. We are thrilled to be adding a player of his caliber to our team." The Mariners also expect to activate Brendan Donovan, their Opening Day third baseman, from the injured list on Tuesday, giving them a full-strength lineup for the first time since early April. Donovan has been sidelined since May 16 with a left groin strain, his second IL stint this season.
Key Analysis
The Mariners enter the series with momentum after a dramatic 7-6 walk-off win over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, courtesy of rookie Colt Emerson's single in the ninth. That victory came after Seattle blew a six-run lead in the final two innings, with three relievers each surrendering a home run. Cal Raleigh homered for the Mariners, who won the final two games of the series. The Tigers, meanwhile, swept the Athletics in West Sacramento, capping it with an 11-0 shutout on Sunday.
"We played a really good series in the midst of a lot of different things swirling around us," Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. "This group's pretty tough." Despite the trades, Tigers players remain focused on the postseason. "We're in the chase for a spot in the playoffs, so that's what we're focusing on," right-hander Keider Montero said through an interpreter after pitching six scoreless innings on Sunday.
The Mariners will start right-hander Emerson Hancock (6-5, 3.26 ERA) on Tuesday, seeking his first win since July 5. He lost his last outing, allowing three runs in five innings against the Dodgers. Hancock has faced Detroit only once, a start on March 31, 2025, in which he gave up six runs on seven hits in two-thirds of an inning. The Tigers had not announced their starter as of Monday evening.
Originally reported by westhawaiitoday.