Seattle, WA – The Seattle Mariners acquired first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for pitcher Jason Vargas.
Morales batted .273 with 26 doubles, 22 home runs and 73 RBI in 134 games last season for the Angels.
Following a career-best season in 2009 in which he recorded 43 doubles, 34 home runs and 108 RBI, Morales was limited to 51 games in 2010 and missed the entire 2011 season. The 29-year-old suffered a fractured lower left leg following his walk-off grand slam on May 29, 2010 vs. Seattle.
The Cuban native has played his entire career with the Angels, batting .281 with 79 home runs and 265 RBI over six big league seasons.
"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," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "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."
Vargas went 14-11 with a 3.85 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 33 starts for Seattle in 2012. The left-hander led the Mariner staff in wins and quality starts (22) while setting career highs in wins, starts, innings pitched and strikeouts.
In 150 career games (130 starts) over parts of seven big league seasons with the Marlins, Mets and Mariners, Vargas has compiled a 42-50 record with a 4.35 ERA.
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