The Seattle Mariners didn’t figure to make too much noise before Friday’s trade deadline. But the team did finally cut loose a top draft pick that just never developed into the star he was projected to be.
Dustin Ackley was traded to the New York Yankees on Thursday in exchange for two minor leaguers. The 27-year-old was Seattle’s No. 1 draft pick (selected second overall) in 2009 out of North Carolina. In five seasons with the Mariners, going from second base to the outfield, Ackley hit .243 with a .672 OPS, nowhere near the level of production the team expected from a projected cornerstone player.
It will be Ramon Flores and Jose Ramirez to the Mariners for Dustin Ackley, source says.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) July 30, 2015
Flores, 23, hit .286 with a .794 OPS and seven home runs at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. Ramirez, 25, has a 2.90 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 49.2 innings at the same level. Both have had brief stints in the majors with the Yankees this year.
With Stephen Drew batting .192, immediate speculation centered on Ackley possibly replacing him at second base. But despite that being his natural position, Ackley has only played at second once since 2013. Therefore, it appears far more likely that he will continue to be an outfielder, which could put Garrett Jones’ roster spot in jeopardy. Jones is batting only .215 this season with five home runs, not providing the power the Yankees were hoping for when they acquired him over the winter from the Marlins.
Ackley is only batting .215 himself this season, but his ability to play several infield and outfield positions apparently gives him an edge over Jones in the Yankees’ view. Additionally, he has a .296 career average at Yankee Stadium with an .878 OPS.
Perhaps the biggest change for Ackley, however, is that he has to shear off that glorious beard he’s sported for the past three years. The Yankees, after all, have that strict facial hair policy. Ackley accepted reality quickly.
Knowing his new team’s rules, just traded Dustin Ackley sports a distinct new look. pic.twitter.com/YyVRtSttOx
— Dave Sims (@TheDaveSimsShow) July 30, 2015
