The Mariners have traded 28-year old righty Cha-Seung Baek to the Padres for 26-year old righty Jared Wells. Wells was a starter in the minors until this season when the Padres converted him into a closer in AAA ball. Wells pitched in 19 games (0 starts) in AAA ball this season and he was 1-1 with 9 saves, a 5.85 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. He also has pitched in 2 games (0 starts) for the Padres this season and he was 0-0 with a 6.00 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. Wells was the #23 rated prospect in the Padres minor league system coming into this season according to Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook. The Mariners did well getting something back of value for Baek but they probably shouldn’t have gotten rid of him in the first place. Baek pitched in 10 games (1 start) for the Mariners this season and he was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Baek has now pitched in 37 games (24 starts) in his career with the Mariners and he was 10-9 with a 4.96 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.

The Mariners have to be pleased with the effort of 2nd year lefty reliever Ryan Rowland Smith. He’s pitched so well this season that he even got the opportunity to close some games while J.J. Putz was out due to injury. Smith has pitched in 20 games (0 starts) this season for the Mariners and he is 0-1 with 2 saves, a 2.78 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He has stepped up big time when most of the pitchers on the Mariners are going the other direction which has been a big reason for the teams’ awful start to the 2008 season.

The Mariners have designated righty Cha-Seung Baek for assignment. Baek has pitched in 10 games (1 start) for the Mariners this season and he was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. The Mariners better trade him because it’s very unlikely that he would clear waivers. The Mariners have recalled R.A. Dickey to replace Baek on the roster and as the long man out of the bullpen but it doesn’t make much sense because Baek is the better pitcher. Dickey has pitched in 3 games (1 start) for the Mariners this season and he is 0-1 with a 7.00 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.

The Mariners have claimed 27-year old, righty reliever Tracy Thorpe off waivers from the Blue Jays. Thorpe has pitched in 13 games (0 starts) in the minors this season and he is 2-0 with 4 saves, a 2.63 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Thorpe has whiffed 18 batters but walked 9 in only 13.2 innings. The Mariners might have something here if they can get Thorpe to throw strikes more often.

19-year old lefty pitcher Phllippe Aumont is the #1 prospect in the Mariners’ system according to Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook. He has pitched in 5 games (1 start) in A-ball this season and he is 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. He also has whiffed 15 batters and only allowed 7 hits in 14.2 innings this year. Aumont could be a dominant pitcher for the Mariners down the road but they are going to take it slow with him.