Marlins’ Gordon traded to Mariners for prospects

Miami second baseman Dee Gordon has been traded to the Seattle Mariners for three prospects Thursday in a Major League Baseball deal that marks the start of the Marlins’ latest payroll purge. The Marlins want to cut their payroll by more than 20 per cent to $90 million or less. Seattle has eight-time all-star Robinson Cano at second base and is expected to move Gordon to centre field. Miami acquired right-hander Nick Neidert, the Mariners’ No. 2 prospect, along with infielder Chris Torres and right-hander Robert Dugger. Seattle gets an international signing bonus pool allotment, boosting the amount it can offer Japanese star pitcher and outfielder Shohei Ohtani. Gordon is guaranteed $38 million over the remainder of his contract. He batted .308 in 158 games in 2016, and had 60 stolen bases to lead the majors for the third time in the past four years. Gordon won the National League batting title in ’15 when he hit .333, and also won a Gold Glove that year. He made the all-star team in ’14 and ’15.