The Mariners missed the playoffs by three games in 1996, but it was no fault of their waiver-trade additions. Dave Hollins was acquired from the Twins for a young David Ortiz, who was then in A-ball, and hit .351/.438/.479 in 113 plate appearances. That was no match for the .300/.399/.607 performance over 163 plate appearances by Whiten, who was acquired from the Braves on Aug. 14 and coincidentally had been traded for Hollins at the 1995 non-waiver deadline.
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