Seattle Mariners trade Miller, Morrison to Tampa Bay Rays for Karns

With no trades happening in the infant stages of the offseason so far, the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays have broken the silence with a six player trade announced Thursday.

The Mariners have agreed to send utility player Brad Miller, first baseman Logan Morrison and relief pitcher Danny Farquhar to the Rays in exchange for right-hander Nate Karns, lefty C.J. Riefenhauser and outfielder Boog Powell.

The trade shows the Mariners’ willingness to address their need in the bullpen, looking to refine their pitching staff to become a contender in 2016, after a disappointing 2015 campaign. The Rays will look to beef up their offense after a mediocre year in a struggling American League East.

Miller has been with the Mariners for the past three seasons, the only three seasons of his career. The 26-year old is a career .248 hitter, and proves to be valuable defensively with plenty of versatility.

Morrison is coming off of his second year in Seattle, after a four year stint with the Miami Marlins to begin his career. The 28 year old hit just .225 in 2015, yet still managed 17 HR and 54 RBI in 146 games played. Morrison will be a DH candidate in all likelihood for the Rays.

Danny Farquhar had a rough season in 2015 with the M’s, going 1-8 with a 5.11 ERA in 43 relief appearances. The righty still managed 48 strikeouts in 51 innings, and looks to use his whiffability as a tool to land him a spot in the Tampa Bay bullpen.

Seattle acquires right handed starter Nate Karns, who went 7-5 in 2015, posting a respectable 3.67 ERA, generating 145 strikeouts in 147 innings. Karns can prove to be a valuable bottom of the rotation starter, especially for a team that needs extra help in the fourth and fifth starter spots.

Lefty Riefenhauser will also be headed to the Emerald City, after struggling to a 5.52 ERA in 17 games with the Rays this past season. Riefenhauser’s seven walks in 14.2 innings spell concern, as he will most likely see some time in the minor leagues to start 2016.

Seattle’s final acquisition of the trade was minor league outfielder Boog Powell, who shows good plate discipline and contact skills, and should find a home in the Mariners’ minor league system.