Mariners swap Smith to Orioles for RHP Gallardo

The Mariners Friday acquired 30-year-old RHP Yovani Gallardo and cash from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for OF Seth Smith. A National League All-Star with Milwaukee in 2010, Gallardo went 6-8 with 85 strikeouts and 61 walks in 23 starts for the Orioles last season.

“Gallardo gives us the veteran presence that we have been searching for,” said Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto. “He has a track record of durability and success as a starting pitcher. After examining the free agent and trade market, Yovani is the best fit for our club as we move forward this offseason.”

The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder has made 246 starts since the beginning of the 2009 season, and is one of nine pitchers to toss 180 or more innings in seven of the past eight seasons. He has made 139 quality starts since 2009, 16^th-most during that span.

Gallardo posted a record of 14-7 with a 3.84 ERA during his All-Star campaign while recording 200 strikeouts in 31 starts. He also earned the NL Silver Slugger Award for pitchers after hitting four home runs and driving in 10 runs. He also finished seventh in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2011 after going 17-10 with a 3.52 ERA in 33 starts.

Gallardo was selected by Milwaukee in the second round (46^th overall) of the 2004 draft out of Trimble Technical High School (Fort Worth, TX). In parts of 10 seasons with the Brewers (2007-14), Rangers (2015) and Orioles (2016), Gallardo has compiled a career record of 108-83 with a 3.79 ERA.

Smith, 34, hit .249 with 16 home runs and 63 RBI in 137 games last season. His 63 RBIs were a career-high and his 16 home runs were second-most in his career.

Smith was acquired by Seattle from San Diego in exchange for RHP Brandon Maurer Dec. 30, 2014. In parts of 10 seasons with Colorado (2007-11), Oakland (2012-13), San Diego (2014) and Seattle (2015-16), Smith is a career .261 hitter with 113 home runs and 426 RBIs.