Mariners trade Thames to O’s in farmhand swap
Jun 30, 2013, 1:59 PM | Updated: Jul 1, 2013, 1:36 pm
By 710Sports.com staff
The Mariners acquired infielder Ty Kelly from the Baltimore Orioles Sunday for outfielder Eric Thames.
Kelly, a 13th-round pick in 2009, will report to Triple-A Tacoma. The 24-year-old leaves Baltimore’s Double-A affiliate Bowie ranking second in the Eastern League in runs scored (51) and doubles (tied with 21).
Thames, 26, was designated for assignment by the Mariners on June 22 to make room for outfielder Franklin Gutierrez, who was coming off the 60-day disabled list, on the 40-man roster. Gutierrez played just two games for the Mariners before re-injuring his hamstring.
Thames was acquired July 31, 2012 from the Blue Jays for reliever Steve Delabar. He hit .220 with six home runs in 40 games with the Mariners last season, but has played all of 2013 in Triple-A. Before hitting the disabled list with a wrist laceration, he hit .295 seven home runs and 33 RBIs in 57 games for the Rainiers.
