Cubs trade Justin Ruggiano to Mariners
The Chicago Cubs traded outfielder Justin Ruggiano to the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday in exchange for minor league pitcher Matt Brazis, the Mariners announced.
Seattle had been in search of a corner outfielder this offseason, and while Ruggiano doesn't quite represent the major splash they were hoping to make, he does provide them with a solid option to platoon with James Jones.
The trade marks the third organization in as many years for the 32-year-old Ruggiano. In 81 games last season with the Cubs, he slashed .281/.337/.429 with six home runs, 13 doubles and 28 RBIs.
Ruggiano, who missed the final five weeks of last season following surgery on his left ankle, owns a career .257/.319/.431 line with 43 home runs and 34 stolen bases in 398 games. The right-handed hitter has had much more success against lefties throughout his career.
| Split | PA | HR | AVG/OBP/SLG |
|---|---|---|---|
| vs. RHP | 806 | 23 | .252/.314/.390 |
| Vs. LHP | 443 | 20 | .266/.329/.508 |
Brazis split last season in Single and Double-A, posting a 2.36 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across 72 1/3 innings while striking out 84. The 25-year-old was drafted in the 28th round by the Mariners in 2012 and has spent his entire minor league career as a reliever.