What a day.  This morning we thought the Mariners had sent Cliff Lee to the Yankees for Jesus Montero, David Adams and Zach McAllister.  I wrote a big long post about it but narrowly avoided posting it.  This afternoon we have a new deal:

Texas Rangers get:

LHSP Cliff Lee
RHRP Mark Lowe
$2.25M

Seattle Mariners get:

1B Justin Smoak
RHP Blake Beavan
RHP Josh Lueke
2B Matt Lawson

The money sent to Texas didn’t come as a surprise given their financial situation, but Lowe’s inclusion did.  While we all love Lowe, losing him doesn’t hurt so bad following his past elbow problems and now a season ending back surgery.  There’s no telling whether or not he’ll be able to become a dependable, consistent late innings reliever down the road.  Best of luck, Lowe– just not when you face the Mariners.

Now onto what Seattle got in return, how that compares to the rumored Yankees offer and more after the jump.

Smoak is the prize of this deal as one of the premier young hitters in baseball.  The 23 year old has been one of the top prospects in the game the last couple years, and now has 70 MLB games under his belt as the Rangers starting first baseman.  The results haven’t been great, but he’s played better than the numbers would indicate.  Smoak is a switch hitter with power and a great approach at the plate, garnering comparisons to superstars Mark Teixeira and Adrian Gonzalez.  Whether he ever plays at that level remains to be seen, but Seattle now has their first baseman figured out for the foreseeable future.  Pressure’s off for Dennis Raben and Rich Poythress!

Beavan, 21 years old and recently promoted to AAA, pounds the zone (career 1.4 BB/9) and gets grounders but doesn’t strike many out.  Given his height (6’7) and K/BB profile, comparisons to Doug Fister are unavoidable.  Beavan threw mid 90s as an amateur which led to him being selected in the first round, but as a pro he’s sat in the high 80s with the ability to touch 93 or so according to most reports.  He throws a slider that flashes as a good pitch but can be inconsistent and still sounds like he’s working on getting his changeup up to snuff.  Beavan’s character has been questioned at times, and he has gotten in trouble for running his mouth in the past.  Beavan may have a little more upside than Fister, but overall their profiles aren’t much different.

Lueke is a fastball-slider-split reliever who was playing in AA for Texas.  His numbers are filthy, featuring a career 11.4 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9.  His K/9 is 14.6 this season.  His fastball sits in the low-mid 90s and can touch high 90s, while his secondary pitches are legitimate out pitches.  Lueke could probably help Seattle’s bullpen right away, and certainly by next season.  Lueke has also gotten into some trouble in the past, having a rape charge dropped last fall following a plea deal.

Lawson is a second baseman putting up solid numbers at AA this season.  He is probably comparable in terms of complete package to David Adams, who Seattle would have acquired in the Yankees deal.  Lawson doesn’t project as a regular (on a good team at least), but gives Seattle some cheap infield/outfield depth that could fit well on the bench one day.

Overall this is a fine haul for Seattle, but considering that they had to give up Lowe and money, it’s not a clearly superior package to what the Yankees reportedly had on the table.  It’s actually a very similar package.  Montero vs. Smoak, McAllister vs. Beavan and Adams vs. Lawson are all debatable, and then Seattle trades Lowe for Lueke.  I’m not sure which I’d prefer, but I’m just happy that the Mariners pulled a legitimately elite young hitter.

Smoak was the only top prospect Seattle pulled in the deal.  Now, I’m not complaining by any means, but I thought Seattle might get a little more talent from a division rival, especially after sending cash.  A certain catcher perhaps?

As for our dearly departed…

Cliff Lee.

Sweet, sweet, Cliff Lee.

It’s crazy to think about how much Lee endeared himself to the fans in such a short time.  I guess that’s what happens when you’re the best pitcher in baseball.  It’s impossible to describe what Lee did this season without slighting him.  He was a machine.  He was as close to perfect as you’ll find in today’s game.  You often hear that when some aces are on the hill, the team and fans expect to win.  That is usually a bit of an exaggeration.  With Lee, it was real.  No matter who the opponent, Lee was going to win.  It became impossible to predict a loss, even with Seattle’s putrid offense.  Lee was so good that he made Felix Hernandez look like a scrub.  He had a quick pace and was efficient with his pitches, which is something every fan can appreciate.

And it wasn’t just the performance.  I really enjoyed his interviews.  I liked that he was a straight shooter and didn’t always spit out cliches like many ballplayers do.  He was like Erik Bedard in that regard, but less abrasive.

He was also said to be a good influence on Seattle’s younger guys.  Whenever we saw a shot of Cliff Lee in the dugout we’d see Jason Vargas and/or Ryan Rowland-Smith on his wings.  Vargas’ good performance has been partially credited to Lee.  Hopefully Felix saw how the ace of aces goes about his business, keeps calm and pounds the zone.

We will miss you, Cliff.  I can’t believe I’m so sad to see a short-term player go.  He’s got to rank among the best Seattle Mariner pitchers ever despite only being around for only a couple months.  That good.

And while the Rangers are our rivals, I am much happier seeing Lee land with the Rangers than the Evil Empire.  God, I hate the Yankees.  But I feel bad that I can’t root for Lee to win a World Series with either team.

Good luck anyway, Cliff.

Justin Smoak, come on down!