The Mariners have released 35-year old righty reliever Joe Nelson. Nelson pitched in 8 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Mariners and he was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA and a 2.13 WHIP. He has pitched in 24 games (0 starts) overall for two teams in the minors this year and he is 3-2 with 1 save, a 3.64 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. The Mariners saw enough out of Nelson to know that he wasn’t going to help them this season but at least he will be free to look for a new job.

The Mariners have traded 30-year old lefty swinging 1B/3B Jack Hannahan to the Red Sox for either a player to be named later or cash. Hannahan played in 63 games in AAA-ball for the Mariners this year and he was 51 of 224 (.228 avg, .675 OPS) with 32 runs scored, 5 homers and 33 RBIs. Hannahan has not played in the big leagues yet this season. He played in 51 games for the Mariners last season and he was 34 of 148 (.230 avg, .656 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 3 homers, 11 RBIs and 1 stolen base. The Mariners won’t miss Hannahan at all as they are the likely winners in this trade.

The Mariners have signed 35-year old righty reliever Jamey Wright and he will be in the pen starting tonight. Wright pitched in 18 games (0 starts) earlier this season for the Indians and he was 1-2 with a 5.48 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. He has now pitched in 438 games (246 starts) in his major league career and he is 83-117 with a 5.03 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. To make room on the active roster the Mariners demoted Chad Cordero who refused the assignment and has become a free agent. Cordero pitched in 9 games (0 starts) for the Mariners this season and he was 0-1 with a 6.52 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP.

The Mariners have released 33-year old righty reliever Mike Koplove. Koplove pitched in 22 games in AAA-ball this season and he was 0-1 with 1 save, a 4.45 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. The Mariners decided to let Koplove loose as they are going to try to rebuild with youth. This also gives Koplove a chance to sign with a new team.

The Mariners have traded 31-year old lefty starting pitcher Cliff Lee, 27-year old righty reliever Mark Lowe and $2.5 million bucks to the Rangers for 23-year old switch hitting 1B Justin Smoak, 21-year old righty starting pitcher Blake Beavan, 25-year old righty reliever Justin Lueke and 24-year old righty swinging 2B Matt Lawson. Lee pitched in 13 games (all starts) for the Mariners this year and he was 8-3 with a 2.34 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. Mark Lowe pitched in 11 games (0 starts) this year for the Mariners and he was 1-3 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. He pitched in 162 games (0 starts) in his five years with the Mariners and he was 5-15 with 4 saves, a 3.95 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Lowe will miss the rest of this season due to back surgery.

Justin Smoak was the key to this deal for the Mariners as he will likely be their starting 1B from day #1 with Russell Branyan moving to DH. Smoak was the Rangers’ #2 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Smoak has played in 70 games for the Rangers this season and he is 49 of 235 (.209 avg, .670 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 8 homers and 34 RBIs. Despite his subpar numbers so far with the Rangers he has a gigantic upside. Blake Beavan was the Rangers’ #17 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. He has started 17 games in AA-ball this year and he is 10-5 with a 2.78 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. He has only walked an amazing 12 batters in 110 innings this season showing stunning control. Beavan has now pitched in 67 games (all starts) in his three years in the minors and he is 29-19 with a 3.22 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. Josh Lueke has pitched in 32 games (0 starts) in A+AA-ball this season and he is 3-2 with 12 saves, a 2.11 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. He has 62 whiffs in only 38 1/3 innings this season showing just how nasty he has been. Lueke has pitched in 101 games (0 starts) in his four years in the minors and he is 6-13 with 22 saves, a 3.47 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Matt Lawson has played in 76 games in AA-ball this year and he is 81 of 292 (.277 avg, .809 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 7 homers and 34 RBIs. He has now played in 363 games in four years in the minors and he is 378 of 1,356 (.279 avg, .751 OPS) with 206 runs scored, 25 homers, 143 RBIs and 40 stolen bases.

The Mariners came very close to dealing Lee to the Yankees but the Rangers made a late offer that they liked more so they took it. I like the trade for both teams as Lee will really give the Rangers an ace for the rotation while Smoak will give the Mariners a power bat they really need.