BREAKING: Randy Arozarena sends clear message to Mariners manager Dan Wilson
Randy Arozarena will always hold a special place in the hearts of Rays fans. Likewise, Tampa Bay is likely a place the star slugger will remember as the team that gave him the best opportunity to thrive—and thrive he did. Arozarena set postseason records, became a fan favorite, and even had a section of Tropicana Field named after him. So where did things go wrong?
To understand, let’s rewind to when the Rays first acquired the Cuban outfielder. In 2020, Tampa Bay traded for Arozarena and first baseman José Martínez from the Cardinals. He made his debut that August and immediately made an impact, finishing the season with seven home runs in just 23 games.
His breakout continued into the postseason, where he delivered one of the greatest October performances in baseball history. Arozarena smashed a record 10 home runs during the 2020 playoffs while also setting single-postseason records in hits (29) and total bases (64). Fans were excited about his future in Tampa Bay.
However, after a disappointing 2024 season, the Rays decided to move on, trading the former Rookie of the Year to the Mariners for prospects Brody Hopkins and Aidan Smith. Arozarena’s strikeouts had become a growing concern—he fanned 101 times in 350 at-bats with the Rays, a nearly 30% strikeout rate, similar to former teammate José Siri.
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Unfortunately, his struggles continued in Seattle. While his batting average improved slightly from .211 to .231, his strikeout rate climbed to 34%. The Mariners hoped he would energize their offense, but instead, he may have hurt their overall production.
Now heading into the 2025 season, the former Rays All-Star is determined to regain his form and lead Seattle to an AL West title. However, his spring training numbers haven’t been promising. Though it’s early, he’s hitting just .222 with eight strikeouts in 18 at-bats—an alarming 50% strikeout rate. But who’s counting?