Mariners add to utility infield stockpile in latest trade with Cubs

Less than 24 hours after signing veteran infielder Donovan Solano to a one-year, $3.5 million contract in free agency, the Seattle Mariners further added to their infield depth by acquiring utility man Miles Mastrobuoni from the Chicago Cubs.

The Cubs designated Mastrobuoni for assignment last week to make room on the 40-man roster for reliever Matt Festa, whom they acquired from the Texas Rangers. They will now receive cash considerations from Seattle in a trade.

In a corresponding move, the Mariners designated catcher Nick Raposo for assignment to free up a roster spot for Mastrobuoni.

Mariners add to utility infield stockpile in trade for Cubs' Mastrobuoni

In Mastrobuoni, the Mariners are getting a light-hitting infielder with defensive versatility. The 29-year-old, who has yet to stick at the Major League level full time, has appeared in 119 games with 272 plate appearances over the past three seasons with the Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays.

A 14th-round pick by the Rays (No. 420 overall) in 2016, Mastrobuoni hasn't put up the most exciting offensive numbers – he has a career slash line of .219/.279/.263 in the big leagues – but his versatility in the field is likely what the Mariners found appealing. He has spent time at second base, third base, shortstop and both corner outfield positions, and can be deployed off the bench in a variety of situations. Mastrobuoni also boasts impressive speed on the base paths, with 16 stolen bases in 17 attempts.

Mastrobuoni has been more impressive at the plate in the Minor Leagues, where he has slashed .278/.371/.434 over 982 Triple-A plate appearances. He also has an option remaining, meaning he does not need to be given an active roster spot and can bounce back and forth between Seattle and Triple-A Tacoma as needed.

Mastrobuoni and Solano are the latest additions to a Mariners infield that has taken some hits this offseason with the losses of Justin Turner, Jorge Polanco and Josh Rojas. They join an infield group that already includes Luke Raley, Dylan Moore, Austin Shenton and Ryan Bliss, among others, which should help create some healthy position battles in Spring Training.

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