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The Miami Marlins made it clear on Monday that they intended to trade first baseman Logan Morrison after the signing of free agent Garrett Jones. On the last full day of the Winter Meetings, the Marlins have traded Morrison to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for reliever Carter Capps.
Miami was reportedly looking for a third baseman in exchange for Morrison, however after veteran reliever Chad Qualls signed with the Houston Astros, the organization was also looking to add an experienced reliever. Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald was among the first to report the news. Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal confirmed the report.
Source: #Marlins trading Logan Morrison to Seattle for RHP Carter Capps
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) December 11, 2013
Morrison to #Mariners for Carter Capps. Source confirms report by @clarkspencer.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2013
Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reported yesterday that the Marlins were not in a rush to trade Morrison, and wouldn't force a Winter Meetings trade if they felt it wasn't right.
Morrison was on the trading block since the Jones signing was reported. He missed the first two months of the 2013 season after having knee surgery for the second time over a span of two years. In his final 61 games as a Marlin, Morrison hit .226 while driving in 25 runs.
Miami was hopeful Morrison was their solution at first base, though after several injuries and failure to have the same success he did during his rookie year, the Marlins sought other options.
Capps made 53 appearances out of the Seattle bullpen last season, posting a 3-3 record with a 5.49 earned run average. He struck out 66 and walked 23, but had a successful rookie season in 2012, posting a 3.96 ERA over 25 innings.
Several sources, including Barry Jackson of the Herald, see Capps as a potential late inning relief option because of the fact that he is a hard thrower. The Marlins also lost Ryan Webb to free agency after not tendering him a contract.
Carter Capps, acquired for L. Morrison, is a hard throwing reliever (105 K in 80 minor league innings).Was 3-3 with 5.49ERA for Seattle 2013
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 11, 2013
Stay tuned to Fish Stripes for more on the trade.
