The Seattle Mariners have traded left-hander Jason Vargas to the Angels in exchange for 1B/DH Kendrys Morales.
“We have been focused on adding offense this off-season, and feel that Kendrys will be a middle-of-the-order bat for us. He’s a switch-hitter with power who has played, and hit, in the AL West,” GM Jack Zduriencik said in a press release. “He’s familiar with the teams and parks and is a proven run-producer. We hate to part with Jason, and really appreciate everything he’s done for us, but we are in a situation where we had to give up talent to acquire talent.”
After a career-best season in 2009 in which he recorded 43 doubles, 34 home runs, 108 RBI and finished 5th in the American League MVP voting, Morales has been beset by injuries. In 2010 he was limited to 51 games and missed the entire 2011 season because of fractured lower left leg following a walk-off grand slam.
Vargas, 29, pitched 217 innings this past season with a 3.85 ERA and is expected to make more than $7 million in arbitration. The M’s were concerned about the effect on him after bringing in the fences at Safeco Field.
Both players will be free agents after this season.
