CHICAGO — Desperately needing a jolt to their offense, the Mariners believe they’ve added a big boost.

The club on Thursday night acquired All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Rays, marking the first blockbuster of the Trade Deadline season. Going back to Tampa Bay are two promising but younger prospects, both Draft picks from last year.

TRADE DETAILS

Mariners receive: OF Randy Arozarena
Rays receive: OF Aidan Smith (No. 12 among Mariners Top 30 prospects), RHP Brody Hopkins (No. 22), player to be named later

Arozarena arrives at a time with Seattle sinking fast in the American League postseason race, having dropped a 10-game lead atop the AL West as recently as June 19 to now being one game behind Houston and 3 1/2 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot.

In the midst of a down year, Arozarena has turned things around dramatically since June 1, with a slash line of .290/.402/.517 (.920 OPS) after posting a clip of .158/.257/.312 (.568 OPS) over his first 56 games. He’s earning $8.1 million this season and is under club control for two more seasons (through 2026).

In 77 games for Single-A Modesto, Smith compiled a slash line of .284/.402/.470 with nine homers, 63 runs and 42 RBIs. The two-time California League player of the week stands atop the circuit in runs and doubles (26). He’s tied for second in stolen bases (28) while ranking sixth in OBP, seventh in hits (84) and slugging.

Traded from the Cardinals to the Rays in January 2020, Arozarena burst onto the scene and earned his big-game reputation with his historic postseason performance during Tampa Bay’s march to the American League championship.

He lived up to the hype in his first full Major League season in 2021, being named AL Rookie of the Year after recording 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in 141 games then homering and stealing home in Game 1 of the AL Division Series.

That was the start of a remarkably consistent run for Arozarena. From 2021-23, his adjusted OPS+ sat between 121 and 129, and he had at least 20 homers, at least 20 steals and at least 140 hits while playing at least 141 games each year. He earned his first career All-Star nod in ‘23, although his real star turn last year came during his electrifying performance for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Earning $8.1 million in the second of his four arbitration-eligible seasons, the 29-year-old got off to an uncharacteristically rough start this season. At the end of May, he was hitting just .158 with a .568 OPS. But he made some adjustments to his stance and approach and returned to form over the next two months, hitting .286/.392/.514 with seven homers in his next 41 games.

Arozarena’s escalating salary made him an obvious trade candidate for the Rays, and the combination of his track record, knack for performing in the spotlight and club control (through the 2026 season) made him an appealing addition. But it was not an easy decision for Tampa Bay. The Cuban-born left fielder quickly established himself as a fan favorite, and the team dedicated two sections of seats as “Randy Land” for Friday home games at Tropicana Field.