Mariners trade for outfielders Jackson, Denorfia

CLEVELAND — The Seattle Mariners overhauled their outfield Thursday with a pair a deals prior to the non-waiver trade deadline, acquiring Austin Jackson from Detroit and Chris Denorfia from San Diego.

The result, they hope, will be a notable boost to their struggling attack.

“I feel good about them,” general manager Jack Zduriencik said. “You go back a week ago, we bring Kendrys (Morales) aboard, and now we’ve got two more guys who will help us. We were looking for right-handed bats.”

Jackson and Denorfia are expected to join the club prior to Friday’s series opener against the Orioles in Baltimore. The Mariners must make corresponding moves to clear space for both players on their 25-man roster.

Jackson, 27, arrived as part of a three-team deal that included the Mariners sending minor-league infielder Nick Franklin to Tampa Bay. Jackson is expected to become the club’s center fielder and leadoff hitter.

“Defensively, he’s probably one of the top three center fielders in all of baseball,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “He gets those kinds of jumps, and he’s (been) in the biggest center field in all of baseball in Detroit.

“Offensively, if you look at his numbers, this guy is pretty accomplished.”

Jackson batted .270 with four homers and 32 RBI in 99 games for the Tigers while posting a .330 on-base percentage and a .397 slugging percentage.

The Mariners control Jackson through 2015. He is currently making $6 million and will be eligible after the season for arbitration.

“That was really important,” Zduriencik said. “In Denorfia’s case, he’s a free agent at the end of the year. You bite the bullet and do it. I don’t think we’d have done two of those.

“One of the things we set out to do was to try to get somebody back at least for a year (through 2015). More if we could.”

Denorfia is making $2.25 million. The Mariners, through the two deals, added roughly $2.75 million to their 2014 payroll. They added about $4.33 million last week in obtaining Morales from Minnesota.

Like Denorfia, Morales will be a free agent after the season.

“You need professional hitters,” McClendon said. “Your lineup has more balance, and it’s harder to just bring in a lefty (reliever) when you’re facing left/right, left/right.”

Zduriencik said the three-team deal started to come together about 72 hours prior to the trade but really “heated up” on Wednesday night.

Detroit also got former Cy Young winner David Price from the Rays, who received pitcher Drew Smyly and minor-league infielder Willy Adames from the Tigers.

That trade occurred roughly 30 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. Pacific time deadline and about 90 minutes after the Mariners obtained Denorfia, 34, from the Padres.

San Diego received two minor-league players: outfielder Abraham Almonte and right-handed reliever Stephen Kohlscheen.

McClendon said Denorfia is likely to draw regular duty in right field.

“He’s going to play,” McClendon said. “We need offense, and he’s a good hitter. My plan right now is to play him often. I’m not sure if it’s going to be a strict platoon. He’s pretty adept against right-handers as well.”

Denorfia is a .275 career hitter in nine seasons but is batting just .242 this season in 89 games. He is a .301 career hitter against left-handed pitchers with a .367 on-base percentage and a .443 slugging percentage.

“I’m looking forward to going up there and just being myself,” Denorfia said, “giving quality at-bats against left-handers, coming off the bench and just being a good teammate.”

Jackson is well-known to McClendon, who spent eight years as a coach in Detroit prior to becoming the Mariners’ manager.

“I think that’s huge,” McClendon said. “There’s no learning curve here. There’s a comfort curve. We know each other quite well. He knows what I expect out of him, and I know what he’s capable of doing.”

Franklin, 22, was the Mariners’ starting second baseman last season as a rookie but became expendable once the club signed free-agent Robinson Cano to a 10-year contract.

“I’ve enjoyed every part of my time with the M’s,” Franklin said through his twitter account. “The teammates I met &the relationships I’ve built. Excited 4 a new chapter.”

The Mariners moved Franklin, a switch-hitter, to other positions in an effort to build his versatility but he batted just .128 in 17 big-league games and has spent most of the season at Class AAA Tacoma.

Franklin batted .294 for the Rainiers in 75 games with nine homers and 47 RBI. He had a .392 on-base percentage with a .455 slugging percentage.

Almonte, 25, opened the season as the Mariners’ center fielder but was optioned May 5 to Class AAA Tacoma after batting just .198 in 27 games. He was batting .267 with six homers and 31 RBI in 72 games for the Rainiers.

Kohlscheen, 25, was a 45th-round pick in the 2010 draft. He opened this season at Class AA Jackson before shifting in mid-June to Tacoma. He is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA overall in 38 relief appearances.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.