Seattle Mariners trade LHP Cliff Lee and RHP Mark Lowe to Texas Rangers for 1B Justin Smoak, RHP Blake Beavan, RHP Josh Leuke and INF/OF Matt Lawson

What a day.

A day where the story was that the New York Yankees were on the verge of acquiring Cliff Lee, instead it'll be the Texas Rangers.

The Texas Rangers will be sending 1B Justin Smoak, who was their top prospect before debuting this year, and three additional prospects to Seattle in return for Lee and RHP Mark Lowe.

Smoak, the Rangers first round draft pick, went 11th overall in 2008 to Texas. He's been often compared to having a Mark Teixeira-like ceiling. Smoak has struggled so far in his rookie campaign, batting .209/.316/.353 with 8 home runs and 34 RBI in 70 games, while striking out 57 times in 235 plate appearances. The switch hitter will now take his high ceiling talent to Texas where he will continue his hopefully long, career. The Rangers were willing to part with Smoak and the three prospects due to the strength of their farm system, which was ranked #1 in baseball.

Seattle will be sending Texas both Cliff Lee and Mark Lowe. Lee, as we know, is 8-3 on the season with a 2.34 ERA, tops in the AL. Lowe however, is missing the rest of the season with back surgery, so I'm puzzled by that. The Mariners will also be sending cash to the Rangers.

So Texas' package topped the Yankees, hooray for them. At least the Yankees now a) don't have to face Lee tonight, and b) get to keep Jesus Montero. It just means now that, since the Rangers won't be able to re-sign Lee because of their bankruptcy, the Yankees will sign Lee in the off season as a free agent. I'm really curious as to why the Rangers traded within the division...

This was a really good trade for both sides. The Rangers acquire the pitcher that they need for the playoff push to headline their starting rotation. Lee should help the Rangers maintain their lead in the AL West. The Mariners acquire a young future star in Smoak and three other additional prospects for the future. I can't say yet if the Yankees' offer was better because we don't know who the three other prospects are.

I'll have more later.

Update, 5:30 PM - The Mariners will acquire two pitchers and a position player from Texas, along with Smoak. It's been reported that the Rangers will also send top pitching prospect RHP Blake Beavan in the trade. Beavan, 21, is having a monster year in Double-AA Frisco: 10-5 with a 2.78 ERA in 17 starts.

Update, 5:36 PM: - The Mariners will also acquire RHP Josh Lueke and INF/OF Matthew Lawson. Leuke, 26, a relief pitcher, is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 15 games this season for Double-AA Frisco. Lawson, 25, is an infielder/outfielder who's hitting .277/.371/.438 with 7 home runs and 34 RBI in 345 plate appearances in 76 games for Double-AA Frisco.

Outside of Beavan and Smoak, the Mariners got nothing. The Yankees' package was much better, as well as much younger. Whatever, I'm glad the Yankees still have Montero.