We knew it was coming, but it finally happened today. The Nationals sent outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse to the Seattle Mariners as part of a three-team trade involving the Oakland Athletics. In the deal the Mariners got prospect A.J. Cole, whom they sent to the Athletics last year to acquire Gio Gonzalez. The Athletics got catcher John Jaso.
The Mariners, desperate for offense going into the offseason, reaquired their second former player in the offseason, to go alongside alumnus Raul Ibañez. Morse's Mariners tenure was rather uneventful other than a suspension for use of performance enhancing drugs. Morse became an offensive force in 2011, hittting 31 home runs and driving in 95 runs. In 2012 Morse hit 18 and drove in 62 runs.
All in all, the Nationals lineup traded Michael Morse for Denard Span. While offensively the Nationals might have dropped a tick, defensively the Nationals were able to add a true center fielder, after using Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper in the position in 2012.
