Major League Baseball

Indians send LHP Laffey to Mariners for Lawson

Published Mar. 3, 2011 2:06 a.m. ET

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Aaron Laffey's role was unclear with Cleveland. Maybe he'll find more clarity in Seattle.

The Indians traded the left-hander to the Mariners on Wednesday for minor league infielder Matt Lawson, who will report to Cleveland's minor league camp.

Laffey split time between Cleveland and Triple-A Columbus last season, and he bounced back and forth between the rotation and bullpen. The 25-year-old, who was once considered a rising star in the Indians' system, was in the mix to be the club's No. 5 starter this season.

In Seattle, Laffey will be reunited with former Indians manager Eric Wedge and pitching coach Carl Willis. He's likely to be looked at as a possible No. 5 starter with the Mariners.

''With Aaron, we felt we had the opportunity to acquire a left-handed pitcher with major league experience,'' Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement. ''We will bring him to spring training and give him a chance to compete for a position on our pitching staff.''

Laffey went 2-3 with a 4.53 ERA in 29 games last year for the Indians, who drafted him in 2003. He was 18-21 in 79 career games with Cleveland.

Lawson, 25, began last season in the Texas organization before he was traded to the Mariners in the deal for ace pitcher Cliff Lee. Lawson batted a combined .293 in 118 games at the Double-A level in 2010.

Last season, Lawson appeared in 99 games at second base, 13 games in left field, two games at shortstop and one game in center.

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