Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers Swing Trade

The Seattle Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers have swapped pitchers, as the M's bring in an injury-plagued hurler who has some nasty stuff when healthy, Justin Topa, in return for an interesting prospect, Joseph Hernandez.

For the Mariners, they're hoping that Topa's injury history is behind him at age-32. He's had two Tommy John surgeries, and flexor tendon surgery more recently. He's pitched just 45.1 innings over the past two seasons, majors and minors combined. But hey, in a late-season cameo with the Brewers, he struck out Aaron Judge. So... yeah, there's that.

Here's new Mariners reliever Justin Topa striking out Aaron Judge back in September. pic.twitter.com/0hCU6UCziP
— Joe Veyera (@JoeVeyera) January 8, 2023

He has a three-quarter delivery with some metrics that apparently belie his unfortunate 8.35 ERA in 18 total major league innings over the past three seasons.

Justin Topa is a really interesting analytic get for the Mariners too. Sinker/Slider combo tunnels well. Slider is a true sweeper. Seattle has preferred these types of arms. Up to 98 w/heavy sink and a deceptive three-quarter delivery. Stuff is better than his baseball card.
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) January 8, 2023