"The reason that Ryan Theriot was traded for is we have a chance to win, and Brendan because of his year opened the door," La Russa siad. "I think it's irresponsible as an organization to go into the group next year if you have a chance to improve at that position and hope that Brendan got back, so now we don't have to hope. We've got Ryan, and we'll see what happens with Brendan."

Cleto is a 6-foot-3, 235-pound pitcher originally signed out of the Dominican Republic. He did not make the Mariners' Top 30 list in last year's Baseball America Prospect Handbook, but he was listed just outside the top 30 as a next-best righthanded starter of the four ranked. Cleto was originally acquired from the Mets in the trade that sent reliever J.J. Putz to New York.

At lower levels, Cleto's fastball was highly regarded in a poll of opposing managers conducted by BA for its "tools" issue.

In Arizona, Cleto is said to been hitting in the high-90s with his fastball. Though he does show a penchant for wildness 13 walks against 14 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings at the high-end fall league. He walked 44 batters and opponents hit .305 against him at the Mariners' High-A affiliate.