Mariners acquire speedy two-time All-Star Dee Gordon, more international slot money from Marlins
Dec 7, 2017, 2:11 PM | Updated: 3:02 pm
The Mariners have reportedly acquired Dee Gordon to play center field. (AP)
(AP)
Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto has dumped some fuel on a relatively cold hot stove, as Seattle has acquired two-time All-Star Dee Gordon and $1 million in international slot money from Miami for three prospects, a trio headlined by 2015 second-round pick Nick Neidert.
Mariners Hot Stove Podcast: Latest on Shohei Ohtani
Gordon is one of the speedier players in the MLB and an established leadoff man. He has only played shortstop and second base in the majors, however, and Seattle has Jean Segura and Robinson Cano at those positions. However, the Mariners intend to use Gordon in center field, where he would replace Jarrod Dyson.
“Dee provides us with a dynamic presence at the top of our lineup,” Dipoto said in a press release. “He’s a two-time All-Star and former National League batting champion who is electric on the basepaths, having already won three stolen base titles. His athleticism will be an asset both in our lineup and in the middle of our outfield for several seasons to come.”
It is the second time in as many days the Mariners have added $1 million in international slot money as they are still a player in the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes. That gives Seattle $3.557 million in pool money, 710 ESPN Seattle’s Shannon Drayer reports, which puts the M’s just above Texas as having the most available money among the seven teams still vying for Ohtani.
Heading to Miami is Neidert, fellow right-handed pitcher Robert Dugger, and infielder Christopher Torres. Neidert, 21, went 11-6 with a 3.45 ERA in 25 combined starts for Advanced-A Modesto and Double-A Arkansas in 2017, though he ended his season on the disabled list after suffering a deep bone bruise due to being hit by a batted ball. Dugger, 22, spent last season with Single-A Clinton and Modesto, while the 19-year-old Torres was in the Short-A Northwest League with Everett.
Gordon, 29, hit .308 with two home runs, 33 RBIs, 60 stolen bases and a .341 on-base percentage last season. He was an All-Star in 2014 as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers and again the next year for the Marlins. The son of former MLB pitcher Tom “Flash” Gordon, he has just 11 career home runs, though one was particularly memorable as it came in Miami’s first at-bat after the death of teammate Jose Fernadez.
