SEATTLE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The long-awaited trade deadline has come and gone for the Seattle Mariners.

Thanks to a pitching staff that has performed at an elite level, the Mariners have been able to cling to first place for much of the first half of the season.  The mid-season report card made it clear that the M’s needed lots of help on offense and some patchwork in the bullpen. After last season’s perceived trade deadline fail, the pressure was on to make moves that would make the Mariners a legit contender. 

With the addition of an extra wildcard team, making mid-season moves has become more complex. More than 20 teams were within three games of a play-off spot with the trade deadline fast approaching. Teams were more likely to be buyers than sellers.

Word got out that Valdimir Guerrero could be on the move from Toronto with only one year left on his contract. The national media and others projected that the Mariners would be a perfect fit. Several sources stated that Seattle would be his number one landing spot. For a few weeks, everyone seemed to be taking stock in the Mariners farm system. How many top prospects would we have to give up to get him??

Fast forward to this week, and the M’s have shuffled their order by adding some offense and literally giving relief to their bullpen.

In the end, no one got Vlad Jr. But the Mariners may have solidified their run for the AL West.

When the trade deadline smoke settled, the Mariners added Randy Arozarena, Yimi Garcia, Justin Turner, JT Chargois, Andruw Salcedo and Rhylan Thomas. The M’s have parted ways with Ty France, Will Schomberg, Jonathan Clase, RJ Schreck Brody Hopkins, Ryne Stanek, Jacob Sharp, Aidan Smith and a player to be named later.

Justin Turner, who comes to Seattle via Toronto, has been to the post-season and has proven he can hit. He’s contact hitter who will definitely put the ball in play.  He’s 39 with a .257 batting average. Instantly making him one of the Mariners top hitters.  He has six homeruns and 39 RBIs. He’ll replace Ty France at first.

The Mariners picked up all-star outfielder Randy Arozarena from Tampa Bay.  The move is considered to be one of a couple of blockbuster trades during this trade deadline season. With Turner providing solid contact, Arozarena gives the M’s power. Arozarena has overcome a slow start and is back to playing at an all-star pace.  He’s expected to provide a big boost to a team that has collectively batted .217.  Mariners tv play-by-play announcer Dave Sims says that he thinks “Arozarena is going to be a big hit in Seattle.”