By Ronald Blum
Associated Press
BOSTON – The Seattle Mariners got a young catcher, acquiring Ben Davis from San Diego in a six-player trade today that sent pitcher Brett Tomko and shortstop prospect Ramon Vazquez to the Padres.
The Mariners also acquired backup infielder Alex Arias and pitcher Wascar Serrano from San Diego, dealing catcher Tom Lampkin and cash to the Padres.
Davis, 24, was the second pick in the 1995 amateur draft. He hit .239 last season with 11 homers and 57 RBIs.
“He’s got a good arm,” Mariners manager Lou Piniella said. “He’s a switch-hitter. He’s got a good frame.”
Dan Wilson, Seattle’s top catcher, is eligible to become a free agent after next season. Davis doesn’t become eligible for salary arbitration until after 2002 and can’t become a free agent until after the 2005 season.
“The opportunity to get a young catcher was something we couldn’t pass on,” Seattle general manager Pat Gillick said.
The deal could have a pinwheel effect on much of San Diego’s lineup.
Padres general manager Kevin Towers said Vazquez, 25, could become his starting shortstop, with D’Angelo Jimenez moving to second, Phil Nevin shifting from third to first, Ryan Klesko moving from first to right field and Pacific Coast League rookie of the year Sean Burroughs starting at third.
Chris Gomez began last season as San Diego’s shortstop and was replaced by Donaldo Mendez, who gave way to Jimenez. Vazquez batted .300 with 10 homers and 79 RBIs this year at Triple-A Tacoma of the PCL.
Tomko, 39-32 with a 4.45 ERA in the major leagues, also spent most of last season at Tacoma, going 10-6 with a 4.04 ERA in 18 starts and one relief appearance. He threw a no-hitter against Oklahoma on July 3.
The 28-year-old right-hander, acquired from Cincinnati in the Ken Griffey Jr. trade before the 2000 season, was 3-1 with a 5.19 ERA on the pitching-rich Mariners, making four starts and seven relief appearances.
“Tomko has a chance to really blossom,” Towers said. “He’s from San Diego.”
Lampkin, 37, also played for San Diego from 1990-92. He hit .225 with five homers and 22 RBIs last season.
Arias, 33, batted .226 this year, playing all four infield positions, and Serrano, 23, was 3-3 with a 6.56 ERA in five starts and 15 relief appearances. It was his rookie season.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for both Tomko and Vazquez,” Piniella said.
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