The Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners worked out a trade for an outfielder while the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves did the same just before the MLB's waiver deadline on Monday.
Chicago acquired Austin Jackson from the Mariners, according to Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN. It was originally reported that the Cubs were giving up a player to be named later and a possible international slot (which Jon Heyman of CBS Sports confirmed was their last slot), and the teams confirmed the news shortly thereafter.
The #Cubs today acquired OF Austin Jackson and a cash consideration from the Seattle Mariners. pic.twitter.com/4qHwbpJ109
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 31, 2015
#Mariners trade Austin Jackson to #Cubs for PTBNL and International Bonus Slot #98. A corresponding roster move will be made tomorrow.
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 31, 2015
This move gives manager Joe Maddon more flexibility, especially since Jorge Soler is still on the disabled list and Dexter Fowler has been a bit banged up a bit recently. Jackson, 28, is set to hit free agency after the season and is batting .272/.312/.387 with 46 runs scored, 8 home runs, 38 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 107 games.
In Kansas City, the Royals acquired Jonny Gomes from the Atlanta Braves for minor league shortstop Luis Valenzuela, according to the team's Twitter account. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal was the first to report the deal and Heyman added a minor league infielder was headed to Atlanta.
The Braves also announced they would be sending cash considerations to Kansas City.
Alex Gordon is expected to return this week, so perhaps the Royals made this move to give him some rest down the stretch to be careful with his groin injury. Otherwise, Gomes is regarded as a good clubhouse presence, which could be essential if Kansas City makes another deep postseason run.
Gomes, 34, is batting .223/.327/.368 with 27 runs scored, 7 home runs and 22 RBIs in 82 games this season and should provide good outfield depth for the AL's top club.
