M’s acquire CF Leonys Martin for RP Tom Wilhelmsen

The Mariners made a trade Monday, acquiring center fielder Leonys Martin from the Texas Rangers in exchange for relief pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen. Seattle also acquired minor-league pitcher Anthony Bass, while outfielder James Jones went the other way along with a player to be named later.

The 27-year-old Martin gives the Mariners a legitimate defensive presence in center field. What he’ll provide with the bat is less certain as he slashed just .219/.264/.313 in 95 games for the Rangers last season before losing his starting spot.

In exchange the Mariners part with Wilhelmsen, the team’s former closer who had an up-and-down 2015. He had 29 walks and 60 srikeouts in 62 innings, finishing with a 3.19 ERA, 1.371 WHIP and 13 saves.

Personally, I just thought I’d say a fond word of farewell to Wilhelmsen and Jones, who are both charismatic former Everett AquaSox from my time covering the Sox. Wilhelmsen came to the Mariners organization with a unique back story, leaving an indelible imprint on the Sox despite never actually appearing in a game in Everett, and his is still the only bobblehead doll I’ve ever seen that came with it’s own reversible tiki bar background. As for Jones, I’ll always think of him for the scoreboard video of him dancing enthusiastically with kids on the field at Everett Memorial Stadium to Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” (start the above YouTube clip at 1:07 for a sample). Good luck in Texas, guys.