The Mariners have traded 38-year old lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes to the Florida Marlins for 22-year old righty starting pitcher Gaby Hernandez. Rhodes was effective for the Mariners this season as he pitched in 36 games (0 starts) in which he was 2-1 with 1 save, a 2.86 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. As effective as Rhodes was he was still expendable for the Mariners based on his age and how far back the Mariners are in the American League West.

Gaby Hernandez has a lot of upside despite not pitching too well this season. He was the Marlins’ #6 prospect coming into this season according to Baseball America. Hernandez has started 17 games this season in AA+AAA ball and he is 5-8 with a 6.47 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. This was a good trade for the Mariners as they really need to get some young starting pitching in the system and Hernandez could be a solid starter in the future for them.

The Mariners have claimed 26-year old righthander Luis Munoz off waivers from the Pirates. Munoz was the #30 prospect in the Pirates’ minor league system coming into the 2008 season according to Baseball America but he was awful this season so far. Munoz pitched in 20 games (19 starts) in AA+AAA ball for the Pirates this season and he was 4-7 with a 6.03 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP earning his walking papers. The Mariners will start Munoz out in AA ball and hope he can find himself there. Still, Munoz was worth taking a chance on as the Mariners didn’t have to give anything up for him.

With rumors swirling around Raul Ibanez’ name in trade talks it makes sense to think that Balentin might be back soon. If the Mariners do bring him back they should play him every day and see if he’s ready to play in the show. He played in 32 games earlier this season for the Mariners and he was 21 for 107 (.196 avg, .611 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 4 homers and 9 RBIs. Balentin had trouble making contact in the majors as he whiffed 35 times which was his reason for getting demoted. He has done a good job of making contact in AAA ball and he’s playing very well there. Balentin has played in 53 games in AAA ball this season and he is 51 for 200 (.255 avg, .908 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 15 homers and 43 RBIs. The Mariners really need to get a good look at Balentin to see if he can be a key player in the Mariners’ future or not.

Jose Lopez has bounced back from an off season in 2007 to regain his role as the Mariners’ 2B of the present and the future. Lopez has played in 101 games this season for the Mariners and he is 124 for 414 (.300 avg, .744 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 7 homers and 57 RBIs. With the Mariners seemingly ready to unload some veterans before next week look for Lopez to wind up with a spot in the middle of the batting order where they can really use his bat.

The Mariners have signed 31-year old righty Jorge Sosa to a minor league contract. Every scout loves his arm but Sosa just has never really learned how to pitch in the majors. Sosa pitched in 20 games (0 starts) for the Mets this season and he was 4-1 with a 7.06 ERA and a 1.89 WHIP. Sosa had just been released by the Astros who were giving him a shot in AAA ball. Sosa has now pitched in 254 games (88 starts) in his major league career and he is 40-49 with 5 saves, a 4.67 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He might get a chance to show what he can do in Seattle later in the year if a job opens up due to a trade or injury.