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The Mariners have acquired outfielder Justin Ruggiano from the Cubs in exchange for minor-league right-hander Matt Brazis, according to a team announcement. Talks between the sides were first reported by Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports.
Though Ruggiano may not be the big name that Mariners fans were hoping for when it was reported last night that the teams were close to acquiring a bat, he is a solid pickup who will see plenty of playing time behind Dustin Ackley, Austin Jackson, James Jones and Nelson Cruz in the Mariners' outfielder. The 32-year old had a very solid year for the Cubs last season, slashing .281/.337/.429 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 81 games after being acquired from the Marlins during the Winter Meetings.
In six major league seasons with the Rays (2007-2008), Marlins (2011-2013), and Cubs (2014), Ruggiano is a lifetime .257/.319/.431 hitter with 43 home runs and 137 RBI.
Brazis, 25, was the Mariners' 28th round pick in the 2012 draft and spent last season with High-A High Desert and Double-A Jackson. In 40 games between the two levels, he posted a 4-1 record and 2.36 ERA, and was especially strong at Double-A, pitching to a 1.64 ERA in 17 appearances. Despite his success, Brazis was not ranked among MLB.com's top 20 Mariners' prospects at the time of the deal.