CLEVELAND -- Randy Arozarena's face broke into a bit of a grin. The subject made him happy.
For the next four days, he will get to be at home with his family and sleep in his own bed. Even if it is a work trip back home to Tampa, it will still feel good to be in the place where he's most comfortable -- home.
"I'm looking forward to it," Arozarena said through interpreter Kate Leahy. "I'm excited."
For the first time since he was traded to the Mariners on July 28, 2024, Arozarena returns to Tampa to play vs. the organization where he was named the 2021 American League Rookie of the Year and became an all-star in 2023.
"The staff and the team and people (in the organization) there supported me a lot," he said. "I'm looking forward to going back and seeing them and seeing the fans as well."
While it was no secret the Rays were shopping Arozarena on the trade market due to diminished production and a growing salary due to arbitration, it still left him hurt and stunned to be traded to the Mariners -- the team farthest from his home.
It was even more difficult when the Rays came to Seattle a few weeks later. It was a life change that took a period of adjustment.
Over time, Arozarena began to embrace his new organization. And his growing comfort level has led to improved production on the field.
At age 30, he's in the midst of one of his best seasons. In 135 games, he's posted a .242/.338/.454 slash line with 29 doubles, a career-high 26 homers, 66 RBI and 24 stolen bases.
Arozarena became an immediate fan favorite after an incredible postseason performance in the COVID-shortened 2020 season as a rookie. He helped lead the Rays to the World Series. In 20 postseason games in 2020, he posted a .377/.442/.831 slash line with 29 hits, including three doubles, a triple, 10 homers and 14 RBI.
During his time with the Rays, the organization even started "Randy Land" -- a special seating area in left field.
"I think they appreciated me a lot," Arozarena said of the Rays fans. "I'm looking forward to going back and seeing all them, knowing that they'll be there to cheer me on and support me. I'm looking forward to giving them the same kind of appreciation that they gave me."
But Arozarena won't be going back to play at Tropicana Field. The Rays home stadium in St. Petersburg was damaged extensively in Hurricane Milton, rendering it unusable for the 2025 season. Instead, the Rays are playing their home games at Steinbrenner Field -- the Yankees spring training stadium -- in Tampa.
"All the stadiums are different, but it'll still feel the same to me because it's the same fans, the same players, that I know, and they appreciated me," he said. "I'm still looking forward to the environment, even though it's different from where I played."
M's sign veteran righty
The Mariners signed veteran right-handed reliever Nick Anderson to a minor-league contract Sunday.
Anderson, 35, started the season in the Cardinals organization on a minor-league contract. He opted out of his deal May 30 and signed as a minor-league free agent with the Rockies. He made 14 appearances with Triple-A Albuquerque before being called up to the big leagues. He made 12 appearances, posting a 6.14 ERA in 14 2/3 innings pitched.
Anderson was a dominant reliever with the Rays from 2019 to 2021 before arm injuries and an eventual Tommy John surgery cost him two seasons.
He has bounced around since then, pitching for the Braves and Royals as well.
By signing before Sept. 1, Anderson would be eligible to compete in the postseason for the Mariners if needed. In recent weeks, the Mariners have signed veteran right-handers Michael Fulmer and Luke Jackson to minor-league contracts.