Nationals trade Morse to Seattle in 3-team deal

The NL East champion Nationals reacquired pitching prospect A.J. Cole, dealt from Washington to Oakland 13 months ago in the trade for Gio Gonzalez. Washington also got minor league pitcher Blake Treinen and a player to be named.

Morse hit .291 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs last year in an injury-shortened season, playing mostly as a corner outfielder. He was with the Mariners from 2005-08 before he was traded to the Nationals for Ryan Langerhans in June 2009.

"I'm just glad this whole thing has unfolded the way it has," Morse said on a conference call, noting he was aware he might be traded by Washington.

"I knew there were teams involved and I knew Seattle was one of them. That was one of the teams I was hoping for. I love it out there and I always felt like I had an unfinished-business feeling in Seattle. I never got to prove myself completely what kind of player I could be or who I am," he said.

The deal clears up a logjam in the outfield for Washington and at designated hitter for Seattle.

The Nationals acquired speedy center fielder Denard Span from Minnesota this offseason and contemplated moving the 30-year-old Morse to first base but then re-signed Adam LaRoche. They are set at the corner outfield spots with Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth.

Jaso, 29, batted .276 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs last year but became expendable when Seattle obtained Kendrys Morales and Raul Ibanez, moves that shift Jesus Montero from a catcher-DH split to primarily behind the plate. The AL West champion A's traded starting catcher Kurt Suzuki to the Nationals last season and replaced him with rookie Derek Norris.

To open a roster spot for Jaso, Oakland designated catcher George Kottaras for assignment.

After struggling to score for years, Seattle has been trying to add offense the entire offseason. The Mariners acquired Morales in a trade with the Angels and pursued Arizona slugger Justin Upton. Seattle had a deal in place with the Diamondbacks, but the two-time All-Star blocked the trade.

Upton's contract gave him the power to turn down a trade to a short list of cities, Seattle included.

Morse, however, was happy to return and said he's comfortable playing first base or the outfield.

"My main goal is to play every single game. I'm so excited. Words can't describe what me and my family are going through right now. Seattle is where I got my first shot," he said. "I'm glad to be back home."