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.