SEATTLE -- Since his arrival in Seattle, general manager Jerry Dipoto has talked of getting faster and more athletic in the outfield, and the Mariners certainly took another step in that direction on Friday by acquiring speedster Jarrod Dyson from the Royals for starting pitcher Nathan Karns.
Dyson, 32, gives the Mariners a veteran outfielder who can tandem with youngsters Ben Gamel and Mitch Haniger in the corner spots after Dipoto traded Seth Smith to the Orioles earlier Friday for starter Yovani Gallardo, while also serving as a quality backup to center fielder Leonys Martin.
 
Mariners acquire Jarrod Dyson from Royals for Nathan Karns.
 
 
"Jarrod brings us a winning pedigree, along with elite level defense and baserunning," Dipoto said. "He joins players like Leonys Martin and Jean Segura in creating a disruptive element on the bases to our offensive game, while also enhancing our ability to prevent runs on defense."
Dyson posted a .278/.340/.388 line with 30 stolen bases in 107 games last year for the Royals. He's averaged 31 stolen bases a year over the past five seasons and his 84.8 percent success rate is second best in the Majors in that span.
The 5-foot-10, 160-pounder is also regarded as an excellent defender with a strong arm. Dyson played mostly center field with the Royals, but he also started 21 games in right and 12 in left field last year.
The Mississippi native was drafted by the Royals in the 50th round in 2006 out of Southwest Mississippi Junior College, but he developed into a unique weapon for Kansas City and hit .260 with 48 doubles, 29 triples, seven home runs, 101 RBIs and 176 stolen bases in 550 career games.
Karns, 29, was acquired by Dipoto prior to last season and opened 2016 in Seattle's rotation before being moved to the bullpen in late June and eventually finishing the year on the disabled list with a back issue. He was 6-2 with a 5.15 ERA in 22 games, including 15 starts.
Greg Johns/ MLB.com
 

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