Mariners trade for Baltimore Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward

The Mariners are acquiring outfielder Taylor Ward in a deal with the Baltimore Orioles, according to ESPN reporter Jeff Passan.

Ward brings much-needed offensive support to a Mariners team struggling at the plate.

As of Aug. 3, the Mariners rank in the bottom five of MLB teams in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS, runs scored, hits, doubles, and hits with runners in scoring position.

In 410 at-bats, Ward has a .246 batting average, a .383 on-base percentage, 101 hits, seven home runs, 64 runs, 30 RBI, and a 2.4 bWAR.

Ward leads the American League with 87 walks.

The reported players heading to Baltimore are reliever Alex Hoppe, and prospects Harrison Kreiling and Brock Moore.