David Aardsma. Brandon League. Nick Vincent.
No, you’re not having another one of your worrying dreams about a Mariners bullpen comprised of several decent-though-not-star-caliber players. It’s merely a short list of solid trade acquisitions the Mariners have made for their high-leverage relief work. Despite a more suspect series of dalliances in the free agent market for bullpen help in recent years, trades have often yielded, well, relief. The past has little bearing on Montero’s future, but as a veteran option in what was a dismal bullpen group a year ago, and dealt away its most promising performers from 2020, the former Texas Rangers stopper is in line to be the Seattle Mariners closer.