Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto announced today that the club has acquired right-handed pitcher Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations from Baltimore in exchange for outfielder Seth Smith.
"Gallardo gives us the veteran presence that we have been searching for," said Dipoto. "He has a track record of durability and success as a starting pitcher. After examining the free agent and trade market, Yovani is the best fit for our club as we move forward this offseason.
The Mariners Major League 40-man roster remains at 39.
Gallardo, 30 (turns 31 on Feb. 27) went 6-8 with a 5.42 ERA (71 ER, 118.0 IP) with 85 strikeouts and 61 walks in 23 starts with Baltimore last season. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder bicep tendinitis on April 23 and activated from the DL on June 18. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-hander has made 246 starts since the beginning of the 2009 season, T8th-most (also: Zack Greinke) during that time span. Gallardo is one of 9 pitchers to toss 180.0 or more innings in at least 7 of the last 8 seasons (2009-16), joining his rotation-mate Felix Hernandez (7). He has made 139 quality starts since 2009, 16th-most during that span.
In 2010, Gallardo was named to the National League All-Star team, posting a record of 14-7 with a 3.84 ERA (79 ER, 185.0 IP) while recording 200 strikeouts and 75 walks in 31 starts. He also earned the NL Silver Slugger Award for pitchers, leading all pitchers in home runs (4), RBI (10) and extra-base hits (8) while ranking T3rd in hits (16) and 5th in batting (.262). He finished 7th in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2011 after going 17-10 with a 3.52 ERA (81 ER, 207.1 IP) with 207 strikeouts and 59 walks in 33 starts.
He was originally selected by Milwaukee in the 2nd round (46th overall) of the 2004 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Trimble Technical High School (Fort Worth, TX). In parts of 10 Major League seasons with the Brewers (2007-14), Rangers (2015) and Orioles (2016), Gallardo has compiled a career record of 108-83 with a 3.79 ERA (670 ER, 1,591.2 IP) with 1,432 strikeouts and 603 walks.
Smith, 34, hit .249 (94x378) with 62 runs, 15 doubles, 16 home runs and 63 RBI in 137 games with Seattle last season. His 63 RBI were a career-high and his 16 home runs were 2nd-most in his career. Smith was acquired by Seattle from San Diego in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brandon Maurer on Dec. 30, 2014. In parts of 10 Major League seasons with Colorado (2007-11), Oakland (2012-13), San Diego (2014) and Seattle (2015-16), Smith is a career .261 (849x3252) hitter with 205 doubles, 113 home runs and 426 RBI in 1138 career games.