Trade of Russell Branyan will clear way for Matt LaPorta at first base.
UPDATED: 12:33 a.m.
By moving Russell Branyan to Seattle for a pair of minor leaguers, the Indians open up first base for Matt LaPorta for the remainder of the season.CINCINNATI -- The trading has begun.
The Indians have traded first baseman Russell Branyan to Seattle. The deal came to light after the Indians' 6-4 loss to Cincinnati. The Indians will receive minor leaguers Ezequiel Carrera and Juan Diaz. Carrera is an outfielder at Class AAA Tacoma, while Diaz is a shortstop at Class A High Desert.
The Mariners will also receive a player to be named or cash.
Branyan, who has had a terrible stretch at first base, is hitting .263 (45-for-171) with 10 homers and 24 RBI. The deal will clear the way for Matt LaPorta to be recalled from Class AAA Columbus.
The Indians signed Branyan in February to a one-year, $2 million deal. He missed most of spring training because of a herniated disk. He hit 31 homerslast season for the Mariners.
Carrera, 22, is hitting .268 (52-for-213) with six doubles, two triples, no homers and 19 RBI in 61 games at Tacoma. He's 5-10, 185 and bats and throws left-handed. He's currently on the disabled list with a left hip pointer. Baseball American ranked him as the Mariners 15th best prospect before the start of this season.
Carrera, from Venezuela, won the Class A Southern League batting title last year by hitting .337.
Diaz, 21, is from the Dominican Republic. He's hitting .295 (75-for-254) with eight doubles, three triples, seven homers and 41 RBI in 70 games. The switch-hitting Diaz is 6-4 and 170 pounds. He's stolen eight bases in 10 attempts.
LaPorta is hitting .353 (24-for-68) with five homers and 16 RBI at Columbus in 17 games. He could join the Indians today. He opened the season with the Indians, but his path was blocked at first base and left field by Branyan and Austin Kearns.
The Indians are seeking to trade Kearns, Kerry Wood and Jhonny Peralta among others.