Mike Carp of the Seattle Mariners Traded to Boston Red Sox

August 11, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder

(20) at bat during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Carp, designated after the Seattle Mariners acquired starting pitcher Joe Saunders, has been sent to play for the Boston Red Sox. He was acquired by the Mariners from the New York Mets in 2008. Carp’s career batting average is at .241 for spring training games and .255 for regular season games.

Carp opened the season last year with the Mariners’ Tokyo game against the Oakland Athletics as a left fielder when in the fourth inning, he injured his shoulder diving for Kurt Suzuki‘s ball. Despite the injury, he still tried to make the play to Jesus Montero and he played out the remainder of the game. The very next day, Carp went on the Mariners’ disabled list, and he didn’t return to play until May 1st. From there, Carp was in and out of the season – making another brief appearance on June 11th before finally returning on July 24.

Carp will have some stiff competition for getting off the bench on the Red Sox team. Even though he’s on their 40-man roster, he’s got to show the team managers that he’s a better choice as first baseman and left fielder than Daniel Nava, Lyle Overbay, and Mark Hamilton. Carp is eager to do so, being that he came off his 2011 season feeling great and filled with hope for the sportsmanship he would bring to the Mariners in 2012. While disappointed about his 2012 season, Carp is excited to be a member of the Red Sox.