We wrote earlier today about how the Mariners were trying hard to deal Mark Trumbo, and according to The News Tribune’s Bob Dutton, they were successful in their attempt. The team reportedly has a deal with the Baltimore Orioles to trade Trumbo in exchange for catcher/first baseman Steve Clevenger. Dutton reports the Orioles will also receive another player. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports confirmed the deal.
Orioles have a deal for trumbo. Clevenger will go to mariners. @TNT_Mariners on it
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 2, 2015
The Orioles have done well here. Trumbo’s projected $9 million salary made him a bit too rich for Seattle, and absorbing his contract means Baltimore didn’t have to give up a significant asset to acquire him. The 28-year-old is set to become a free agent at the end of next season. In 2015, Trumbo hit 22 home runs, with a .262 average and a .310 OBP. He’ll probably slot in at 1B or DH, and makes for a solid fail safe should Chris Davis bolt (as expected) during free agency. Should Davis opt to stay in Baltimore, the club will have two power bats with insanely high strikeout numbers.
The Mariners could have non-tendered Trumbo, so this way they get something in return for him. Clevenger is projected to make close to the MLB minimum salary next season, so the team isn’t absorbing much money. Clevenger spent most of 2015 in AAA, but appeared in 30 games with the Orioles, hitting two home runs with 15 RBI while batting .287 with a .314 OBP. Should he make the Mariners roster, he could serve as the team’s backup catcher and first baseman – although he’s not a plus defender at either position, hence why he started 18 games at DH for Baltimore.
The move would leave Seattle with Jesus Montero as the only first baseman on Seattle’s 40-man roster, and it would be shocking if they rolled with him to start the season. Expect Jerry Dipoto to address the position.
The deal isn’t a massive one, but each team made what seems to be necessary move.
