The Mariners Wednesday acquired outfielder Justin Ruggiano from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for minor league relief pitcher Matt Brazis. The 32-year-old Ruggiano played 81 games for the Cubs last season, batting .281 (63×224) with 13 doubles, one triple, six home runs and 28 RBIs. He missed extended time due to two trips to the disabled list, including season-ending left ankle surgery.
The Austin, TX., native has appeared in 398 major league games over six seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays (2007-08, 2011), Miami Marlins (2012-13) and Cubs (2014). The right-handed hitter has 62 doubles, three triples and 43 home runs in his career. He has appeared in games at all three outfield positions: CF (166 G/148 GS), LF (118 G/71 GS), RF (76 G/56 GS).
Ruggiano was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2004 June draft out of Texas A&M (also attended Blinn College). He made his MLB debut Sept. 19, 2007 with Tampa Bay.
Brazis, 25, went 4-1 with six saves and a 2.36 ERA (19 ER, 72.1 IP) in 40 relief appearances with A High Desert and AA Jackson last season. The right-hander limited opponents to a .208 average (54×260) while walking 18 and striking out 84.
With Jackson, he went 1-1 with two saves and a 1.64 ERA (6 ER, 33.0 IP) in 17 relief appearances. Brazis also pitched for the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League, going 1-0 with a 5.11 ERA (7 ER, 12.1 IP) in 10 relief appearances.
To make room for Ruggiano on the 40-man roster, the Mariners designated RHP Logan Bawcom for assignment.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2195181 https://sportspressnw.wpengine.com/?p=2195181">2 Comments
Interesting to acquire basically a #4 OF when they need a starting RF. To me this is basically Chris Denorfia all over again. Or Casper Wells. Unless they’re projecting Ruggiano to be the RF starter.
It would seem that eastern sportswriters do not know much about A-Rod. In a wire report they claim the Yankees just got a hotshot 3rd baseman. The story was, “A-Rod doesn’t have a position. The idiot that discovered that doesn’t remember that A-Rod was a shortstop all of his career until joining the Yankees, which coincidentally lost their SS.