Seattle Mariners Release Veteran Infielder Kolten Wong

After being designated for assignment earlier this week, veteran infielder Kolten Wong has been officially released by the Seattle Mariners.

Mariners Release Kolten Wong https://t.co/p6YEI8ohgZ pic.twitter.com/jEYTUMcAEE
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) August 4, 2023

The Mariners acquired Wong in a deal this winter that sent Abraham Toro and Jesse Winker to the Milwaukee Brewers, but it just didn't work for Wong in Seattle.

He hit a paltry .165 with two home runs and 19 RBI. He only posted a .241 on-base percentage and steadily lost playing time to Jose Caballero and eventually Dylan Moore.

While this year has been a struggle, Wong's track record has been good in his career. The 11-year veteran finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting in the National League back in 2014. He played in the 2013 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals and has won two Gold Glove awards.

At the plate, he's a career .256 hitter with a .329 on-base percentage so this season is a major regression from his career norms.

Given that he's still just 32-years-old and that he comes with a good track record, it's likely that someone will take a flier on him. We had heard that the Boston Red Sox had interest in Wong but they traded for Brewers infielder Luis Urias, so that might not be the case anymore.

As for the Mariners, who move on without Wong, they are now 57-52 and just 2.5 games back in the American League wild card race. They beat the Los Angeles Angels on a grand slam in the ninth inning on Thursday night.

It was a history-making blast from rookie Cade Marlowe.

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