MLB trade rumors: Mariners acquire David Phelps

The Mariners show they are all in on the American League wild-card race by trading for Marlins setup man David Phelps.

The Seattle Mariners, back in the American League wild-card race after recent good play, have bolstered their bullpen with the acquisition of veteran David Phelps from the Miami Marlins.

Miami will receive four prospects in exchange for Phelps, according to Jeff Passam of Yahoo Sports, including OF Brayan Hernandez,  RHP Brandon Miller and RHP Lukas Schiraldi.

Phelps, 30, has a 3.45 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 47 innings this season. He is under team control through the end of next season.

A former starter and long reliever, Phelps has blossomed since taking on a setup role with the Marlins last season. Over the past two seasons, the former New York Yankee has Phelps has  a 2.69 ERA while striking out 11.1 batters per nine innings pitched.

Phelps will join a Seattle relief corps that includes closer Edwin Diaz as well as Nick Vincent and James Pazos. Vincent has been particularly effective this season, posting a 2.04 ERA in 39 2/3 innings pitched.

The fact Seattle has emerged as a seller may be a surprise to some, considering they are 48-48 and trail the Houston Astros by more than 15 games in the American League West. But after winning seven of their last 10 games, the M’s are only 1.5 games out of the second wild-card spot.

A little history here: Seattle hasn’t made the postseason since 2001, the longest dry spell in baseball. So apparently GM Jerry Dipoto has decided it’s worth a shot to compete in the crowded, weak AL wild-card race.

For the Marlins, Hernandez is the big catch in the deal. “Big bonus baby a few years back, high ceiling, only 19,” Passan tweeted.

Between stops in short-season A and Triple-A, the native of Venezuela has hit .259/.310/.407 with two home runs in 31 games. Baseball America ranked him as the Mariners’ No. 16 prospect heading into the season.