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Seattle Mariners

MLB notes: Mariners send Michael Saunders to Toronto for J.A. Happ

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The Toronto Blue Jays hope they found their starting left fielder in Michael Saunders, while the Seattle Mariners hope J.A. Happ will be another left-hander for their strong starting rotation.

The Mariners sent Saunders to the Blue Jays on Wednesday in exchange for Happ, with the trade filling needs for both clubs. The Mariners were hoping to add another arm for their pitching staff while the Blue Jays got a potential replacement for free agent Melky Cabrera in their outfield.

Saunders never played more than 139 games with Seattle, that coming in 2012. Saunders hit .273 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs last season in 78 games but twice had stints on the disabled list. He’ll become the 22nd Canadian player in Blue Jays history.

Asked if there had been a falling out with Saunders, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said this move was made to add another pitcher for the rotation.

“I just think we were in a position where we needed to add a starting pitcher,” Zduriencik said. “And I think when you looked at all your trade option possibilities, and then you look at the free-agent market … I think where we ended up because of this trade it satisfied exactly what we were looking for.”

Happ, 32, appeared in 30 games and made 26 starts for the Blue Jays last season. He went 11-11 with a 4.22 ERA in 158 innings.

Clearing the bases

OF Nick Markakis and the Braves agreed to a four-year contract. … The Twins announced the signing of OF Torii Hunter to a $10.5 million, one-year contract. … The Blue Jays and 1B Justin Smoak have agreed to a one-year contract worth $1 million. … Major League Baseball Executive Vice President Tim Brosnan will leave at the end of January. Brosnan was one of three candidates in August to become baseball’s next commissioner. Rob Manfred was elected MLB’s 10th commissioner.