Kevin Mitchell, one of the best power hitters in baseball, was traded today from the San Francisco Giants to the Seattle Mariners in a five-player deal.
The trade was made following four late-night meetings between the teams, and came two days after it was announced that criminal charges would not be filed against Mitchell who was arrested and booked last month for investigation of rape, battery and false imprisonment.Mitchell, 29, has hit 104 home runs in the last three years. He hit 27 homers with 69 RBIs and batted .256 while being limited to 113 games by a groin pull.For Mitchell and pitcher Mike Remlinger, the Giants received pitchers Bill Swift, Mike Jackson and Dave Burba.
"When the Giants came to the winter meetings, the quest was pitching," Giants general manager Al Rosen said. "We'll miss Kevin, who was a tremendous bat for us."
The Giants and Mariners had talked about Mitchell during the season, and San Francisco wanted to get starter Erik Hanson, along with Swift. But the Mariners would not include Hanson, and that deal was held up.