Braves acquire Swarzak from Mariners for Vizcaino, Biddle
The Atlanta Braves have acquired right-handed reliever Anthony Swarzak and cash from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for right-hander Arodys Vizcaino and lefty Jesse Biddle, the Braves announced Monday.
Seattle sent close to $2 million to Atlanta to balance out the money in the trade, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
The Braves will look to Swarzak to fill a void in their bullpen that was created when Vizcaino went down for the season with a shoulder injury. In 15 games with the Mariners this year, Swarzak posted a 5.27 ERA with an 11.2 K/9 rate. He also issued eight walks and allowed six home runs in 13 2/3 innings.
However, Swarzak was one of baseball's best relievers in 2017. While splitting time between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees, he posted a 2.33 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and a 10.59 K/9 rate. He also did a much better job of suppressing walks and homers.
Swarzak signed a two-year, $14-million contract with the New York Mets prior to 2018, and was later traded to Seattle in the Mets' deal for closer Edwin Diaz. He will be a free agent after this season.
Vizcaino, who'd served as the Braves' primary closer since 2015, underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in April. He's also scheduled to hit free agency after the current campaign.
The Braves recently designated the left-handed Biddle for assignment. He recorded a 5.40 ERA in 11 2/3 innings with Atlanta this season.
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