MINNEAPOLIS — The clock ran out Thursday in Seattle on outfielder Dustin Ackley, once regarded as a cornerstone in the Mariners’ rebuilding effort.
The Mariners traded Ackley, the No. 2 pick in the 2009 draft, to the New York Yankees for two minor-league players: outfielder Ramon Flores and right-handed pitcher Jose Ramirez.
“It’s crazy,” Ackley said. “I guess you don’t have a clue of what’s going on until stuff happens. It’s kind of a big surprise, but you see this all the time with guys. I’m excited for what the future has to hold.
“It’s going to be fun.”
Ackley’s role shifted this season to platoon duty, and he is batting just .215 with six homers and 19 RBI in 85 games. He has a .243/.306/.366 slash (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) over five seasons.
“I have nothing but good memories here,” Ackley said. “I’ve had some struggles, and I’ve had some good times. Ultimately, when I look back on it, it’s going to be all positive.”
The Mariners’ tentative plan is for Flores and Ramirez to report to Triple-A Tacoma and for first baseman/designated hitter Jesus Montero to be recalled from the Rainiers to replace Ackley, 27, on the 25-man roster.
Officially, a corresponding move to replace Ackley will be announced prior to Friday’s game against the Twins. The Mariners played Thursday with just 24 players on their active roster.
General manager Jack Zduriencik said further moves are possible prior to the non-waiver trade deadline at 1 p.m. Pacific time on Friday.
“We have a lot of discussions going on,” he acknowledged. “There’s always a lot of dialogue with everyone at this time. You never know where any (of those discussions) are going to go.
“There are clubs out there that have interest in some of our players, but that doesn’t mean anything is absolutely going to happen.”
Flores, 23, made his big-league debut earlier this season — and batted .219 in 12 games — but spent most of the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he is batting .286 with seven homers and 34 RBI in 73 games.
A Venezuelan native, Flores has a .272 career average in seven pro seasons. He was ranked by Baseball America as the Yankees’ No. 27 prospect prior to the season.
Ramirez, 25, has also spent most of the season at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he is 3-0 with 10 saves and a 2.90 ERA in 32 games. He is averaging 10.15 strikeouts per nine innings.
He made 11 big-league appearances over the last two years. A Dominican native, he is 32-32 with a 3.60 ERA in 146 minor-league games, including 96 starts, over eight pro seasons.
“These are pieces,” Zduriencik said, “that could very well help your club either immediately or in the near future. As we all know, Dustin was relegated to a platoon situation or a backup role.”
Ackley is moving up in the standings. The Mariners, prior to Thursday, were 10 games under .500, while the Yankees were leading their division by six games.
“They’ve been playing really well,” he said. “We see them on TV all the time. What they’ve been doing is pretty special. To be part of that will be something pretty cool.”
One difference though: The Yankees have a no facial hair policy.
“I think that’s written in stone,” he said. “I think you’ll see me in a little bit, and I’ll be a different-looking guy.”
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