When the Seattle Mariners traded three minor leaguers to the Philadelphia Phillies for Cliff Lee earlier this week, it certainly signaled a change in philosophy for the Mariners to make a trade like that.
The trade sent packing three talented players who were with the High Desert Mavericks just last year:
RHP Phillippe Aumont, a 6-7, 220-pound fireballer who turns 21 next month, was 1-2 with a 3.24 ERA and 12 saves while pitching half the time in hitter-friendly Adelanto. Aumont struck out 35 in 33 1/3 innings. After he was promoted to West Tenn, his ERA rose to 5.09, but he struck out 24 in 17 2/3 innings. Could eventually be an ideal addition to a beleaguered Phillies bullpen, but there’s still the possibility he could be a starter.
RHP J.C. Ramirez, a 6-3 21-year-old, spent all of 2009 with the Mavericks, he was 8-10 with a 5.12 ERA. It was a little high, but his ERA on the road was just 3.09 and opponents hit .243 off him on the road.
OF Tyson Gillies, a 6-1 21-year-old outfielder, played all of 2009 with the Mavericks. He didn’t show as much pop considering he played half the time in Adelanto (eight of his nine home runs were at home), but he batted an impressive .341 with 104 runs scored and 44 stolen bases. While teammate Jamie McOwen set a league record with his hitting streak, Gillies had an 18-gamer and is the better prospect. He can really play the outfield, too.
All 3 would probably start 2010 at Double-A Reading, but they’ important to the Phillies because that previously solid farm system was depleted when they traded for Lee, then traded for Roy Halladay in the companion trade to the Lee-to-Mariners deal.
Aumont and Ramirez help replace the likes of RHP Kyle Drabek, who went to Toronto in the Halladay deal and Gillies helps replace OF Michael Taylor who went to Toronto (and then to Oakland).
The fact the Mariners have an abundance in prospects is fairly new for that organization. That they’re willing to trade them for proven talent is also nice for Mariners fans. I’m a Phillies fan, so I hope the trio going to the Phils helps them in the future.