M’s get SS Wilson, RHP Snell from Bucs
July 29, 2009
SEATTLE (AP)—The Seattle Mariners acquired shortstop Jack Wilson(notes) and pitcherIan Snell(notes) from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for shortstop Ronny Cedeno(notes),Triple-A catcher Jeff Clement(notes) and three minor league pitchers.
The 31-year-old Wilson, an All-Star in 2004, becomes Seattle’s thirdeveryday shortstop this season.
“This was an opportunity for us to acquire a veteran shortstop, a formerAll-Star player, with leadership qualities and above-average defensive skills,”Mariners general manager Jack Zdurienick said. “As we move forward over thenext few years it is nice to know that we have solidified the shortstopposition.”
The Mariners also think Snell can restart his stalled career. The27-year-old Snell had a 0.96 ERA in six starts with Triple-A Indianapolis, afterstarting the season 2-8 with a 5.36 ERA in 15 starts for Pittsburgh.
Zdurienick called Snell “a talented pitcher with major league experiencewho now has an opportunity restart his career after a very successfulreassignment in Indianapolis.”
Seattle had acquired Cedeno in the offseason from the Chicago Cubs. Hestruggled after the Mariners gave him their shortstop job this month by tradingYuniesky Betancourt(notes) to Kansas City. Cedeno is hitless in his last 26 at bats andis batting .167 in 59 games. The 26-year-old’s contract ends after this season.
In Clement, the Pirates are getting the third overall draft pick in 2005 whohas shown impressive power but has been unable to catch consistently. He hasplayed first base while being primary a DH at Triple A. Clement, who turns 26next month, batted .237 with seven home runs in 75 games for Seattle in 2007 and’08. He was batting .288 with 14 home runs and 68 RBIs in 92 games for Tacomathis season.
The Pirates also get minor league right-handed pitchers Nathan Adcock, BrettLorin and Aaron Pribanic.
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