SEATTLE (AP) — Mallex Smith was made a promise by Seattle
general manager Jerry Dipoto when he was acquired for a second time by the
Mariners after an initial tenure that lasted less than two hours.“Dipoto didn’t
guarantee
anything
Whitey
Herzog Jersey , but he said I at least have 78 minutes,” Smith joked.
“We’ll see.”Smith is back with the Mariners as part of a five-player deal
between Seattle and Tampa Bay on Thursday that landed the Rays catcher Mike
Zunino and outfielder Guillermo Heredia.The swap continued a lengthy trade
history between the teams and came as a surprise to Zunino, who said he had
recent conversations with Seattle manager Scott Servais looking ahead to 2019.“I
was shocked. To see your name in trade talks, let alone this early in the
offseason, was beyond my expectations,” Zunino said.Smith, 25, stole a
career-best 40 bases this year and was caught 12 times. He hit .296, tied for
the major league lead with 10 triples and had 40 RBIs. He is not eligible for
free agency until after the 2022 season. He signed with San Diego in 2012, was
traded to Atlanta in December 2014 and was dealt to the Mariners in January
2017
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then sent to the Rays on the same day in a trade that shipped left-hander Drew
Smyly to Seattle.His previous Seattle stint lasted all of 77 minutes before he
was sent to the Rays.“Bringing Mallex back home to Seattle is exciting for us
all,” Dipoto said in a statement. “His combination of speed, base running
impact, defense and on-base abilities are unique in today’s game. We believe his
breakout 2018 performance reflects the many ways his skills will positively
impact the Mariners for years to come.”Smith said he’s going in with the idea of
playing in center field, which would allow Seattle to move Dee Gordon to his
natural position of second base. But the move for Smith could just be the start
of a hectic offseason overhaul for the Mariners.“I feel like it’s a good fit. I
feel like the team wants me,” Smith said. “It’s very comfortable when you know
the team wants you. Jerry has traded for me twice, so I feel like I’ll fit in
well here.”Heredia, who turns 28 in January, hit .236 with five homers and 19
RBIs in 337 plate appearances as a fourth outfielder for the Mariners this year.
He is not eligible for free agency until after the 2022 season.Zunino,
27
Orlando
Cepeda Jersey , was taken by Seattle with the third overall pick in the
2012 amateur draft and signed for a $4 million bonus. He hit just .201 this year
but had 20 homers with 44 RBIs, down from a .251 average, 25 homers and 64 RBIs
in 2017. While well-regarded for his defense, he has struck out 310 times in 760
at-bats during the past two seasons.Zunino said an oblique injury just before
the start of the regular season caused him to struggle at the plate and led to
his drop from the progress he had shown as a hitter in 2017.“It really took me
longer than I’d like. I came back and it took me longer than I would have liked
to get comfortable,” Zunino said. “Once that happened, I ended up giving away
too many at-bats … tried to chase too much. I think getting back to that, trying
to take care of my body, getting back to 100 percent is the main goal. I feel
great now.”Zunino grew up in Cape Coral, Florida, and played for the University
of Florida. He made
$2
Keith
Hernandez Jersey ,975,000 this year, is eligible for salary arbitration
and can become a free agent following the 2020 season.Seattle also sent minor
league left-handed pitcher Michael Plassmeyer to Tampa Bay while the Rays sent
minor league outfielder Jake Fraley to the Mariners. HOUSTON (AP) — Boston Red
Sox ace Chris Sale was still feeling weak Wednesday and won’t start Game 5 of
the AL Championship Series.Sale threw in the outfield for 10-15 minutes before
Game 4 in Houston, but manager Alex Cora said the seven-time All-Star didn’t
throw a bullpen as planned. David Price will start Thursday night on three days’
rest instead.Cora said Sale lost some weight because of a stomach illness that
forced him to spend a night in the hospital after the lanky left-hander started
the ALCS opener against the Astros.“He’s feeling better compared to yesterday,
but physically he’s not there yet,” Cora said before Game 4. “So I think if
necessary he’ll pitch Game 6. He feels that he’ll be ready for that one. And
we’ll go from there.”With Price warming up in the bullpen in case he was needed
in relief, the Red Sox held on for an 8-6 victory Wednesday night to take a 3-1
lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 6, if necessary, would be Saturday night
in Boston.Dave Dombrowski, the team’s president of baseball
operations
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said Sale told him “he’s fine and he’ll be ready to go on Saturday.”Cora said
there’s “no chance” Sale will pitch in any situation in Game 5.Price was the
Game 2 starter, when he allowed four runs over 4 2/3 innings and didn’t get a
decision in Boston’s 7-5 victory that evened the series. Available out of the
bullpen, the lefty was getting loose late Wednesday night but didn’t come into
the game.“I think it’ll just make me a little bit more sharp for tomorrow. Might
have found a new thing for me to do the day before I pitch,” Price said.“To have
that opportunity to punch our ticket to the World Series is very cool,” he
said.Sale did not speak to reporters Wednesday.Cora said earlier this week that
Sale started feeling ill right after Game 1 and went to a hospital early Sunday
morning.Sale was released Monday from Massachusetts General Hospital after
remaining there overnight for observation. He rejoined the team Tuesday in
Houston before Game 3.The club hasn’t specified Sale’s ailment or treatment,
though Cora has said it was nothing serious.Sale struggled with his control in
Boston’s 7-2 home loss to the Astros on Saturday night. He allowed two runs,
four walks and hit a batter in four innings.The lefty made just one start
between July 27 and Sept. 11 because of mild left shoulder inflammation, then
made four starts during the rest of the regular season. He beat the Yankees in
the Division Series opener and pitched one inning of relief in Game 4 as the Red
Sox won the best-of-five series.
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