Story Published:
Aug 19, 2006 at 5:31 PM PST
Story Updated:
Aug 31, 2006 at 7:35 AM PST
SEATTLE - The Seattle Mariners on Saturday night traded 43-year-old
left-hander Jamie Moyer to the Philadelphia Phillies for two minor
league pitchers.
In his 11th season in Seattle, Moyer had a 6-12 record with
a 4.39 ERA for the Mariners this season. He signed a one-year, $4.5
million dollar contract with Seattle during the winter and the
Mariners obviously had no intention of trading him.
Saturday's trade came as the last-place Mariners were attempting
to break a season-worst nine-game losing streak in Anaheim against
the Los Angeles Angels.
Phillies general manager Pat Gillick formerly was the general
manager of the Mariners. Moyer came to the Mariners in a trade with
the Boston Red Sox on July 30th, 1996.
Moyer is expected to start for the Phillies on Tuesday against
the Chicago Cubs. Philadelphia has played well since overhauling
its roster before last month's trade deadline, and is 2½ games
behind NL wild-card leading Cincinnati.
The Phillies sent right-handed pitchers Andrew Baldwin and
Andrew Barb to the Mariners for Moyer. Philadelphia also gets cash
in the deal.
"This guy is a good player and he's done a good job here for a
number of years," Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi said. "A
lot of people in this organization have a lot of fond memories of
what he's done here. He's meant a lot to this franchise. But you've
got to do what you've got to do."
Moyer wasn't immediately available for comment because he wasn't
with the Mariners in Los Angeles for their game against the Angels.
A team spokesman said Moyer was in Seattle for personal reasons.
Phillies general manager Pat Gillick is familiar with Moyer because
he held the same position in Seattle from 2000-03.
Moyer will replace rookie right-hander Scott Mathieson, who has
struggled since the Phillies called him up from Double-A Reading.
Mathieson is 1-4 with a 7.23 ERA in eight games. He didn't reach
the fifth inning in four of his seven starts.
Meanwhile, Moyer has pitched at least six innings in 20 of his
25 starts. He had the second-lowest run support in the majors at
3.5 runs per game, and the Mariners didn't score a run while he was
in the game in four of his last nine outings.
A native of nearby Souderton, Pa., Moyer began his career with
the Cubs in 1986. He's 211-164 with a 4.17 ERA in 563 career games
for the Cubs, Rangers, Cardinals, Orioles, Red Sox and Mariners.
Moyer joined the Mariners on July 30, 1996 in a trade with
Boston for outfielder Darren Bragg. He went 145-87 with a 3.97 ERA
in 324 games (323 starts) with the Mariners and is the franchise
leader in wins, starts and innings pitched. He is the only Seattle
pitcher to win 20 or more games more than once.
Moyer went to one All-Star game (2003) and pitched in the
playoffs twice (1997 and 2001).
The Phillies (60-62) are 13-8 since trading two-time All-Star
right fielder Bobby Abreu and starting pitcher Cory Lidle to the
New York Yankees on July 30. They also dealt starting third baseman
David Bell, backup catcher Sal Fasano and relievers Rheal Cormier
and Ryan Franklin in the past month.
Baldwin was 8-8 with a 4.04 ERA at Single-A Clearwater. Barb was
6-2 with a 2.23 ERA and 18 saves at Class-A Lakewood.
"We feel we have good information on these guys and we ended up
making a fair deal," Bavasi said. "We're happy with the guys that
we got and the Phillies are happy with getting Jamie over there."