Logan Morrison is no longer a Miami Marlin, according to a report. The first baseman and Twitter All-Star has been traded Wednesday during baseball's winter meetings.
The Miami Herald reported that Morrison was shipped to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for relief pitcher Carter Capps. Morrison's departure was all but assured when the Marlins finalized a deal with free agent first baseman Garrett Cole earlier in the week.
In return for Morrison, the Marlins got a 23-year-old right-hander who went 3-3 with a 5.49 ERA in 53 relief appearances (59 innings) for Seattle last season. Capps is a hard thrower who has struck out 10 batters per 9 innings in his brief career.
Morrison became a fan favorite as a rookie in 2010 both for his on-field play (he hit .283 and slugged .447 that season) and his colorful Twitter presence.
But his play deteriorated as time went on. Last season he hit .242 in an injury-plagued year (he appeared in only 85 games, his second straight season with less than 100 games played). Teammates and Marlins brass tired of his social media habits as well.
Morrison is eligible for salary arbitration, which would have raised his salary from the $491 thousand he made in 2013. Capps is a cheap reliever, which fits well with the Marlins' plans.
He is still in his rookie deal, and will not be eligible for salary arbitration until 2014. The Mariners selected him in the third round of the 2011 MLB draft out of Mount Olive College (NC).
Local
With two more days to go at the winter meetings, the Marlins may not be done dealing. They are reportedly on the lookout for an upgrade at third base, and have been rumored to be shopping backup outfielder Justin Ruggiano.
