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Earlier today, the Mariners and Dodgers completed a trade that sent RHP Joe Wieland to Seattle, in exchange for infielder Erick Mejia.
Source: Mariners acquire right-hander Joe Wieland from the Dodgers. Minor leaguers believed to be coming back from Seattle to Los Angeles.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 12, 2016
#Mariners acquire RHP Joe Wieland from #Dodgers in exchange for INF Erick Mejia. RHP A.J. Schugel DFA'd. https://t.co/ogMKIuoqfI
— MarinersPR (@MarinersPR) January 12, 2016
Wieland is 25 years old, but has yet to have any sustained success, or longevity at the major league level. He's thrown 47.2 innings in the big leagues, and in that time, Wieland has posted a K/9 of 6.80, a BB/9 of 3.59, along with a HR/9 of 1.89. His ERA and FIP are less than desired, 5.85 and 5.59, respectively, and his fastball isn't anything special.
While Wieland doesn't exactly excite anyone, Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs thinks he's a small adjustment away from being a serviceable starter.
Joe Wieland is one of those strike-throwing guys who's like a half-adjustment away from being Mike Leake. good and uninteresting depth
— Jeff Sullivan (@based_ball) January 12, 2016
As for the player going back to the Dodgers, Mejia is a middle infielder who doesn't seem to project as an above average hitter going forward.
"Mejia, 21, is a switch-hitter with no power, but who has shown some speed on the bases. In five season in the minors -- mostly spent at the rookie and Class-A levels, he has stolen 49 bases. Last year he was successful on 20 of 21 attempts and his a combined .282." -- Steve Dilbeck
It's unclear as to exactly what level Mejia will begin his Dodgers career at, but he'll undoubtedly start in the minor leagues. This trade, while unexciting, helps both teams address concerns about their respective depth.