The Toronto Blue Jays have bolstered their bullpen by adding reliever Mark Lowe from the Seattle Mariners, according to Buster Olney of ESPN. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports, that three minor leaguers are going to Seattle. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports, that the minor leaguers are left-handed pitchers Nick Wells, Jake Brentz, and Rob Rasmussen.
Lowe, 32, has made 34 relief appearances from the Mariners bullpen pitching 36 innings with 47 strikeouts and only surrendered 11 walks. Advanced stats suggest that he hasn't been pitching over his head with a 1.83 FIP and 2.40 xFIP. He has primarily been more effective against right-handers with a .584 OPS against compared to .727 against left handers.
The deal gives Toronto a big addition to a bullpen that is already 12th in bullpen ERA (3.36) and fourth in batting average against (.223). Lowe is a nice veteran presence to a team that has just one reliever over 30 in LaTroy Hawkins (42).
The Mariners return gives them two young pitching prospects and a big league lefty who could turn into a big piece into the Mariners bullpen.
Rasmussen, 26, has appeared in one game at the big league level, throwing an inning with a hit and a strikeout. In 34 games at Triple-A Buffalo, he has pitched to a 2.34 ERA in 34 games (one start). In 42 innings he has struck out 40 while walking 20.
Wells, 19, has pitched to a 4.78 ERA in seven starts for the Blue Jays Rookie affiliate. The 2014 third round pick has thrown 32 innings with 31 strikeouts and 11 walks.
Brentz, 20, has pitched to a 4.09 ERA in six starts for the Jays Rookie league affiliate. He has pitched 22 innings giving up 25 hits, while striking out 16 and walking 11.