Mariners acquire 'best-kept secret' reliever in trade with Nationals

Seattle sends top prospect Harry Ford and pitcher Isaac Lyon to Washington for lefty Jose A. Ferrer.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:38pm

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The Seattle Mariners have acquired left-handed reliever Jose A. Ferrer from the Washington Nationals in exchange for top catching prospect Harry Ford and pitcher Isaac Lyon. Ferrer, a 26-year-old from the Dominican Republic, is being touted as the Mariners' 'best-kept secret' for the 2026 season after posting strong underlying numbers in 2025 despite a higher ERA.

Why it matters

With starting catcher Cal Raleigh entrenched in Seattle, the Mariners were able to capitalize on Ford's lack of a clear path to playing time by trading him for a talented bullpen arm who can help the team this season. Ferrer's advanced metrics suggest he has the potential to be an impact reliever, making this an intriguing move for a Mariners team looking to build on their recent success.

The details

In the deal, the Mariners sent Ford, a highly-touted catching prospect, and right-handed pitcher Isaac Lyon to the rebuilding Nationals. In return, they acquired Ferrer, a 26-year-old lefty who posted a 4.48 FIP across 72 games for Washington in 2025 but had a 3.56 expected ERA and 3.03 FIP, indicating he was better than his surface-level stats. Ferrer throws a heavy sinker and also mixes in a changeup and slider.

  • The trade was completed on April 6, 2026.
  • Ferrer has made four appearances for the Mariners so far this season, with his first three outings being scoreless.

The players

Jose A. Ferrer

A 26-year-old left-handed reliever from the Dominican Republic who was acquired by the Mariners from the Nationals. Ferrer throws a heavy sinker and also mixes in a changeup and slider.

Harry Ford

A top catching prospect in the Mariners' farm system who was traded to the Nationals as part of the deal for Ferrer.

Isaac Lyon

A right-handed pitcher who was also included in the trade package the Mariners sent to the Nationals in exchange for Ferrer.

Cal Raleigh

The Mariners' starting catcher, whose presence made it difficult for Ford to find playing time at the major league level in Seattle.

Dan Wilson

The manager of the Seattle Mariners.

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What they’re saying

“The 4.48 FIP that Ferrer posted across 72 games for the Nats in 2025 doesn't stand out, though both his 3.56 expected ERA and 3.03 FIP suggest he was much better than his back-of-the-baseball-card stats might make you think.”

— Tim Kelly, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

Ferrer will look to continue his strong start to the season and solidify his role in the Mariners' bullpen as the team aims to build on their recent success and make a push for the playoffs.

The takeaway

This trade represents a savvy move by the Mariners, who were able to turn a top prospect who lacked a clear path to playing time in Seattle into a talented left-handed reliever who could be an important piece for their bullpen this season. Ferrer's advanced metrics suggest he has the potential to outperform his surface-level stats, making this an intriguing acquisition for a Mariners team looking to take the next step.