The Mariners Wednesday acquired RHP Shawn Armstrong from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for international slot money, and re-acquired minor league LHP Anthony Misiewicz from Tampa Bay, also for slot money. The deals by GM Jerry Dipoto at the winter meetings in Lake Buena Vista, FL., put Seattle’s 40-man roster at 38 players.
Armstrong, 27, split the 2017 season between the Indians and AAA Columbus. With the Indians, he went 1-0 with a 4.38 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 21 relief appearances over nine stints. Over his final 18 outings, he posted a 2.91 ERA with 18 strikeouts. In 28 relief games with Columbus, he was 1-1 with 10 saves and a 3.07 ERA with 36 strikeouts, fanning 11 batters per nine innings.
In parts of three MLB seasons, Armstrong is 1-0 with a 3.53 ERA in 39 games, all with Cleveland. In his minor league career, he is 15-12 with 54 saves and a 2.37 ERA in 251 appearances, all in relief.
The Indians selected Armstrong in the 18th round of the 2011 draft out of East Carolina University.
Misiewicz, 23, rejoins the Mariners after Seattle sent him, along with minor league INF Luis Rengifo, to Tampa Bay in exchange for RHP Ryan Garton and C Mike Marjama Aug. 6. In 28 combined starts between advanced-A Modesto, AA Arkansas and AA Montgomery (Tampa Bay), the 6-foot-1, 190-pound left-hander went 11-6 with a 4.51 ERA.
Prior to the trade, he went 8-5 with a 4.75 in 23 starts split between the Modesto Nuts and the Arkansas Travelers.
Misiewicz was selected by the Mariners in the 18th round in the 2015 draft out of Michigan State University. In three minor league seasons in the Mariners (2015-17) and Rays (2017) organizations, he is 21-18 with a 4.33 ERA.
Mariners off-season transactions
Oct. 31: Outrighted RHP Casey Lawrence to AAA Tacoma.
Nov. 2: Claimed INF/OF Andrew Romine off waivers from Detroit; reinstated RHP David Phelps and LHP Drew Smyly from the 60-day disabled list; announced that 1B Yonder Alonso, OF Jarrod Dyson, INF Gordon Beckham, C Carlos Ruiz and 1B Danny Valencia had become free agents; declined 2018 options on RHPs Hisashi Iwakuma and Yovani Gallardo.
Nov. 3: Claimed INF Zach Vincej off waivers.
Nov. 7: Outrighted Vincej to Tacoma.
Nov. 14: Hired Jim Brower as an assistant coach.
Nov. 15: Acquired INF Ryon Healy from Oakland in exchange for RHP Emilio Pagan and and INF Alexander Campos.
Nov. 27: Signed RHP Hisashi Iwakuma to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Nov. 30: Claimed LHP Sam Moll off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Dec. 4: Hired Brian Delunas as bullpen coach.
Dec. 6: Traded catching prospect David Banuelos to the Twins in exchange for $1 million in international bonus money. Banuelos had been ranked 10th among Seattle’s major league prospects by MLB.com.
Dec. 7: Acquired two-time All-Star Dee Gordon and $1 million in international slot money from Miami in exchange for RHP Robert Dugger, RHP Nick Neidert and INF Christopher Torres.
Dec. 8: Claimed RHP Mike Morin off waivers from Kansas City.
Dec. 10: Released RHP Seth Frankoff to allow Frankoff to pursue a career in Korea.
Dec. 11: Claimed OF Cameron Perkins off waivers from Philadelphia.
Dec. 13: Acquired RHP Shawn Armstrong from Cleveland and LHP Anthony Misiewicz from Tampa Bay, both for international slot money.