Mariners, Angels swap Kendrys Morales, Jason Vargas

The Mariners have announced that the club will trade left-hander Jason Vargas for the Angels’ Kendrys Morales. The trade addresses needs for both teams.

Angels GM Jerry Dipoto has made it clear he was looking for an innings-eater for Morales, and that’s what he’ll be getting with Vargas. Vargas completed at least 192 innings in each of the past three seasons. This past season, Vargas pitched 217 1/3 innings, posting a 3.85 ERA. He joins a rotation that now includes Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson, Joe Blanton, Tommy Hanson and Garrett Richards.

Morales will add offense to the Mariners lineup, which finished last in the AL for runs scored in 2012. He posted a .273/.320/.467 batting line with 22 home runs in 2012, after missing all of 2011 with a leg injury.

Both Vargas and Morales will enter free agency after next season.

Jason vargas a nice pickup for angels rotation. M's need offense. Both he and kendrys free agents after 2013

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Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 19, 2012

Jason Vargas: 217 IP last year. C.J. Wilson led #Angels with 202.

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Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 19, 2012

Vargas adds depth to #Angels rotation that had been weakened. Morales gives #Mariners slugger they desperately needed.

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Scott Miller (@ScottMCBS) December 19, 2012

Morales trade could let #Angels play Trumbo at DH, with Bourjos in CF flanked by Trout and Hamilton. Huge plus for Weaver, Blanton.

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Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 19, 2012