Mariners deal Kelley to Yankees for minor league outfielder

The Seattle Mariners on Wednesday traded relief pitcher Shawn Kelley to the New York Yankees for minor league outfielder Abraham Almonte.

The deal comes a week after the Mariners had designated Kelley for assignment.

Almonte, 23, played all three outfield positions in AA ball last season. He's a native of the Dominican Republic.

Kelley just didn't seem to fit in Seattle's future plans, having been passed over by several players on the team's depth chart. At the same time, the team saves nearly $950,000 in salary by dealing away Kelley.

Kelley joined the Mariners in 2009 and had been the team's longest-serving active reliever.