According to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com, the Seattle Mariners have acquired Russell Branyan from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for two Minor Leaguers – Triple-A center fielder Ezequiel Carrera and High Single-A shortstop Juan Diaz. The Mariners will also either pay the remainder of Branyan’s $2 million contract or send the Mariners a player to be named later.

The Indians are expected to recall first baseman Matt LaPorta from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday and start him at first base the rest of the season.

This is an odd move for the Seattle Mariners since they are 14 games out of first place in the AL West and acquiring a slugger and his salary does not make sense. It’s possible that they could use Branyan as a trading chip as the July trade deadline approaches.

Branyan, 34, is batting .263 with 10 home runs and 24 RBIs. He returns to a club where he spent the entire 2009 season with. With Seattle last season, he hit .251/.347/.520.