Mallex Smith spent at Tampa Bay Rays for Seattle Mariners for Mike Zunino and Guillermo Heredia



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SEATTLE – Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto has promised Mallex Smith to buy it back for the second time by the Mariners after an initial term of less than two hours.

"Dipoto was not guaranteed anything, but he said I had at least 78 minutes," Smith joked. "We will see."

Smith is back with the Mariners as part of a five-player deal between Seattle and Tampa Bay on Thursday, which has allowed Rays receiver Mike Zunino and championship player Guillermo Heredia.

The exchange extended trade between the two teams and surprised Zunino, who said he had recently spoken with Seattle manager Scott Servais in view of 2019.

"I was shocked to see your name in the trade negotiations, not to mention that at the beginning of the off season, was beyond my expectations," Zunino said.

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Smith, 25, has stolen 40 career career goals this year and has been caught 12 times. He hit .296, tied for the league lead with 10 triples and had 40 RBIs. He is not eligible for free competition before the 2022 season. He signed with San Diego in 2012, was traded to Atlanta in December 2014 and was traded to the Mariners in January 2017, then sent to the Rays the same day in a transaction that shipped southpaw Drew Smyly to Seattle.

His previous tenure in Seattle had lasted every 77 minutes before being sent to Rays.

"Bringing Mallex back to Seattle with us is exciting for all of us," Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. "His combination of speed, impact in base course, defense and abilities on base is unique in today's game.We believe that his performance in 2018 reflects the many ways in which his skills will have a positive impact on Mariners for years to come. "

Smith said he was planning to play in the middle of the field, which would allow Seattle to move Dee Gordon to his second base natural position. But the move for Smith may well be the beginning of a hectic post-season restructuring for the Mariners.

"I think it's okay, I feel the team needs me," Smith said. "It's very comfortable when you know the team needs you." Jerry traded for me twice, so I feel like I'm going to integrate well. right here."

Heredia, who turns 28 in January, has a .236 record with five home runs and 19 RBIs in 337 appearances as the fourth player for the Mariners this year. He is not eligible for free competition before the 2022 season.

Zunino, 27, was selected by Seattle with the third overall pick in the 2012 amateur draw and signed a $ 4 million bonus. He hit only .201 this year, but he had 20 home runs with 44 RBIs, compared to an average of .251, 25 homers and 64 RBIs in 2017. Although renowned for his defense, he has eliminated 310 times out of 760 batting during the last two seasons.

Zunino said that an oblique injury occurred just before the start of the regular season had earned him fighting the plate and making him fall from the progress he had shown as a hitter in 2017.

"It really took me longer than I would have liked, I came back and it took me longer than I would have liked to be at it." Comfortable, "said Zunino. "Once that happened, I ended up giving too many bats … tried to hunt too much, I think going back to that, trying to take care of my body, go back to 100% is the main goal, to feel good now. "

Zunino grew up in Cape Coral, Florida, and played for the University of Florida. He earned $ 2,975,000 this year, is eligible for wage arbitration and can become a free agent after the 2020 season.

Seattle also sent left-handed pitcher Michael Plassmeyer of the minor leagues to Tampa Bay, while the Rays sent minor league player Jake Fraley to the Mariners.

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