Jackson Kowar's fate puts a weird spin on trade that got him booted from Mariners

Seattle Mariners pitcher Jackson Kowar (37) throws a pitch against the Athletics. | Dennis Lee-Imagn ImagesOn January 27, the Mariners acquired catcher Jhonny Pereda from Minnesota for cash — and cleared a roster spot by designating Jackson Kowar for assignment. Then on February 3, the Twins claimed Kowar off waivers. It’s not a trade on paper, but it sure plays like one when the 40-man math settles.

And from the Mariners’ side, the logic isn’t hard to follow, even if the optics are delightfully goofy.

Seattle’s catching depth behind Cal Raleigh matters a lot more than it did a month ago, because the position is basically injury insurance disguised as roster building. Pereda has a minor…