UPDATED: Numerous sources, including The Seattle Times' Geoff Baker, have confirmed that the Seattle Mariners are in intense discussions with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Indians for a deal that would send Ray’s ace Scott Kazmir to Seattle.
If this trade, which has been claimed to have a 30-percent chance of completion, was to happen, Seattle would acquire Kazmir and short stop prospect Reid Brignac from the Rays. The Rays would then receive 2008 Cy Young award pitcher Cliff Lee from the Indians and Seattle would send Brandon Morrow and Jeff Clement to Cleveland to fulfill the trade.
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In 59 at bats for the Rays this season, Briganc, 23, has a .271 average, but has yet to go deep in his career. Throughout his minor league career he has been named to dozens of All-Star teams and was named as baseball’s 78th best prospect heading into 2009 by Baseball America.
Kazmir is having an off year with a mere four wins and a 6.69 ERA in 14 starts for the 2008 American League champions. That can be credited to his arms troubles thus far this season. But last season he carried a 3.49 ERA with a modest 12-8 record.
The southpaw has a 2.91 ERA when pitching on grass this season, so a change from the turf in Tampa Bay this season may help him.
Bedard’s injury could factor into this complex equation.
Reach Ben Brown at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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