Despite trailing the Angels by 7.5 games in the highly competitive A.L. West race, the Seattle Mariners appear seriously interested in challenging the Halos for the division title, as they executed a trade for Pittsburgh shortstop Jack Wilson and starting pitcher Ian Snell on Wednesday.
In exchange for Wilson and Snell, the Mariners sent a five-player package to Pittsburgh, headlined by top catching/first base prospect Jeff Clement. Also scheduled to head east are shortstop Ronny Cedeno, a former Chicago Cub, and a trio of right-handed pitchers in Nathan Adcock, Brett Lorin, and Aaron Pribanic.
While the M’s are certainly giving up a fair amount of quality prospects, they do receive two very solid players, who could help the team make a solid late season push. Wilson, 31, a one-time All-Star in 2004, has been batting .267 in 75 games with the Pirates. Snell has struggled in 15 starts (2-8, 5.36) with the the Bucs, but he has been lights out since being demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis. In Indy, he went 2-2 with an 0.96 ERA in addition to 47 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings.
With Wilson now hitting in a better lineup and Snell moving to a pitchers park, Safeco Field, this trade could pay off for Seattle. The question now is whether the Angels need to respond.
Fully Clips
Go Joe Bruin
Lake Show Life
Lasorda's Lair
Reign of Troy
Rink Royalty
