Morales and Vargas are set to hit free agency after the 2013 season
That was fast. Earlier today it was reported through various media outlets that the Los Angeles Angels were more inclined to trade Kendrys Morales than Peter Bourjos or Mark Trumbo.
The Angels were reportedly looking for a starting pitcher.
Morales, 29, hit .273/.320/.467 with 22 homers, 73 RBI and 61 runs in 522 plate appearances last season, in his first extended game action since suffering a broken leg in May of 2010.
Vargas, a 29-year-old left-hander, was 14-11 with a 3.85 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 141 strikeouts in 217 1/3 innings pitched last season.
The Mariners have been focused on offense this off-season, and missed out on Josh Hamilton, who ironically signed with the Angels.
“We have been focused on adding offense this offseason, and feel that Kendrys will be a middle-of-the-order bat for us. He’s a switch-hitter with power who has played, and hit, in the AL West,” Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement.
Both Morales and Vargas are set to hit free agency after the 2013 season.
For the Angels the temporary logjam in the outfield after signing Hamilton has been relieved somewhat, although Vernon Wells is likely to be moved at some point this off-season.
The Angels will now rotate Hamilton, Mike Trout and Peter Bourjos in the outfield while using Mark Trumbo as the primary DH.
While trading among division rivals isn’t common, both sides come out winners with this one
