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Seattle Mariners trade Ken Griffey Jr. in unexpected move

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 26, 2026, 4:01 PM

Last updated Aug 26, 2026

Seattle Mariners trade Ken Griffey Jr. in unexpected move

Summary

In 1999, Ken Griffey Jr. requested a trade from the Seattle Mariners to be closer to his family in Orlando. This unexpected development forced the Mariners to negotiate a deal, which proved challenging due to limited options. Although initial trades with Cincinnati and New York were considered, they ultimately did not materialize. The Mariners eventually secured a trade that benefited the franchise in ways not initially anticipated. The impact of this trade continues to shape the team's narrative.

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•Griffey Jr. wanted a trade to be near family.
•Initial trade discussions with the Reds and Mets fell through.
•Seattle secured a deal that ultimately improved the team.
•The trade's reverberations are felt in Mariners' history.

Latest Updates

4:01 PMYahoo Sports — How the Seattle Mariners traded Ken Griffey Jr. and … got better?

What they're saying

"
It came basically out of nowhere: One day in 1999, Ken Griffey Jr. told the Seattle Mariners, the only MLB team he’d ever played for, that he wanted to be traded closer to his family home in Orlando. Left with no other choice, the Mariners got to work finding a deal. It wasn’t easy with […]
— Yahoo Sports

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