Mariners trade Mark Lowe to Blue Jays

The Mariners have traded reliever Mark Lowe to the Blue Jays, according to a source. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com first linked Lowe to Toronto earlier this afternoon.

Seattle will receive three minor-leaguers for Lowe: Nick Wells, Jake Brentz, and Rob Rasmussen.

Lowe, 32, has posted a 1.00 ERA in 36 innings of work for the Mariners so far this season and will join LaTroy Hawkins as the new additions to a struggling Jays' bullpen. Toronto has also acquired Troy Tulowitzki and David Price at the deadline so far and may be adding an outfielder before the 4 PM deadline. Toronto explored other relievers (including Jonathan Papelbon) on the trade market but appear to be making a lesser move.

Lowe is a veteran of ten major-league seasons, all in the American League. He is the owner of a 3.80 ERA in that span with the Mariners, Rangers, Angels and Indians.

Wells is currently ranked as the 23rd-best prospect in the Jays' system, while Brentz and Rasmussen are outside of the top 30. The 19-year-old Wells was drafted in the 3rd round by the Jays in 2014 and has had a rough second year in the Rookie League with Bluefield. In 32 innings, he is 1-2 with a 4.78 ERA in seven starts.

Brentz is a left-handed pitcher taken in the 11th round of the 2013 draft and at age 20 was teammates with Wells in Bluefield, with a 4.09 ERA in 22 innings over six starts.

The last piece, Rasmussen, has had some time in the major leagues. Over the course of two seasons, he has pitched 12.1 innings with a 2.92 ERA.  With Triple-A Buffalo this season, Rasmussen has gone 4-1 with a 2.36 ERA in six starts spanning 42 innings.