Seattle shipped the 2008 Cy Young Award-winning southpaw along with right-handed reliever Mark Lowe to the A.L. West-leading Rangers for first baseman Justin Smoak and three minor leaguers.Lee, a two-time All-Star, was traded to Seattle in December by the N.L. champion Philadelphia Phillies. The 31-year-old had just 13 starts with Seattle, going 8-3 with a 2.34 ERA.

The crafty left-hander has a 98-55 record with a 3.84 ERA over nine major league seasons. Smoak, the Rangers' number one draft pick in 2008, is hitting .209 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 70 games for Texas this season. The Rangers have a 50-35 record this season and lead the West by 5.5 games over second-placed Los Angeles.