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Mariners acquire Mallex Smith from Braves in 4-player trade

Brett Davis / USA TODAY Sport / Reuters

The Seattle Mariners continued their busy offseason by completing yet another trade Wednesday, acquiring outfielder Mallex Smith and right-hander Shae Simmons from the Atlanta Braves for minor-league left-handers Luiz Gohara and Thomas Burrows.

It's possible that both Smith and Simmons will be a part of the Mariners' big-league roster at some point during the 2017 season. Both players have some MLB experience in their brief careers.

"As we continue to construct a deep and flexible roster, Shae and Mallex add to our potential big-league mix," Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement announcing the trade. "Both players are young, controllable, and have bright futures."

Smith, a fifth-round pick of San Diego in 2012, made his big-league debut this season. The 23-year-old didn't look entirely out of place, hitting .238/.316/.365 with three homers while displaying his terrific speed in the form of 16 stolen bases and four triples. He appeared in just 72 games due to a thumb injury in June that cost him nearly three months.

Simmons posted a 2.91 ERA over 26 relief appearances in his rookie season of 2014, but missed all of the 2015 season due to Tommy John surgery. The 26-year-old made a successful return to the majors in September, pitching to a 1.35 ERA in 6 2/3 innings before being shut down.

Seattle designated pitcher Cody Martin for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Both pitchers the Braves acquired are a ways away from the majors, but are well-regarded as prospects. Gohara posted a 1.81 ERA and struck out 81 batters over 13 starts split between the Mariners' Low-A and Single-A affiliates. The 20-year-old Brazilian was ranked as the Mariners' No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline.

Burrows, 22, was the Mariners' fourth-round pick in this year's draft out of the University of Alabama, and was ranked as their No. 25 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He posted a 2.55 ERA, a 1.378 WHIP, and saved six games while striking out 37 batters to 11 walks in 20 appearances for the Mariners' Rookie-level team.

It's the Mariners' 10th trade of this winter, and the 35th deal Dipoto's completed since taking the job last year.

The GM may have another move up his sleeve, as he's reportedly working on another trade with an unknown team that could involve Smith, reports Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. Seattle has reportedly engaged the Tampa Bay Rays in trade talks, according to Crasnick, though it's not known how advanced those talks may be.

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