The Seattle Mariners strengthened their pitching depth on Friday by making a minor trade with the New York Mets, acquiring right-handed pitcher Cooper Criswell in exchange for cash considerations. To clear a spot for Criswell on the Mariners’ 40-man roster, left-hander Jhonathan Diaz was designated for assignment.
Criswell, 29, had been designated for assignment by the Mets just two days earlier. New York needed to make room for a four-player trade with the Milwaukee Brewers that brought All-Star Freddy Peralta and right-handed pitcher Tobias Myers to Queens in exchange for two prospects. This marked the second time Criswell was DFA’d during the 2025–26 offseason; he had previously been designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox on December 4 after Boston completed a five-player trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
During his time with Boston, Criswell split the 2025 season between the Red Sox and their Triple-A affiliate, Worcester. In the majors, he appeared in seven games—six out of the bullpen and one start—posting a 1-0 record with a 3.57 ERA. In Triple-A Worcester, he made 14 starts and two relief appearances, going 4-2 with a 3.70 ERA. In 2024, Criswell had a more extensive role with Boston, pitching in 26 games, including 18 starts and eight relief appearances, finishing 6-5 with a 4.08 ERA.
One of Criswell’s key advantages for Seattle is his versatility as both a starter and reliever. With no remaining minor league options, his role with the Mariners could be defined by how he performs in spring training and the team’s immediate roster needs.
Meanwhile, Jhonathan Diaz, who was DFA’d to make room for Criswell, had a limited major league presence, pitching in just one game for Seattle in 2025. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Tacoma, making 26 starts and one relief appearance, and posted a 4.15 ERA over 138.2 innings, ranking among the Pacific Coast League leaders in starts.
Additionally, utility player Samad Taylor, who was designated for assignment earlier in the week, chose to decline an outright assignment to the Mariners’ minor league system and elected free agency.
In other team news, the Mariners announced that FanFest, returning after a long hiatus, has officially sold out. Mariners Vice President of Marketing and Fan Engagement Mandy Sundblad praised the enthusiasm surrounding the event, stating, “It’s incredible to see the passion and excitement from our fans heading into the 2026 season. We finished 2025 with nine consecutive sellouts at T-Mobile Park, and it’s great to see that momentum carry over into 2026 with unprecedented crowds at FanFest. Opening Day on March 26 is right around the corner, and we can’t wait to welcome the team back home to a packed house!”
Overall, Seattle’s offseason moves, highlighted by Criswell’s acquisition, demonstrate the team’s commitment to pitching depth and roster flexibility. Fans appear energized as the Mariners head into the 2026 season, combining strategic roster additions with strong community engagement to build momentum for the upcoming campaign.
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