The Chicago Cubs acquired outfielder Austin Jackson from the Seattle Mariners, Shannon Drayer of 710 AM Seattle reported Monday. 

In return for Jackson, the Mariners reportedly received a player to be named later and $211,100 in international signing bonus money. The deal has since been announced by Chicago. 

The 28-year-old Jackson is a free agent at the end of the season. He is having a solid year, hitting .272/.312/.387/.699 (98 OPS+) with eight homers and 38 runs batted in over 448 plate appearances. Jackson is currently heating up, posting a .837 OPS over the last 28 days, making him a good August trade candidate. 

Jackson reportedly cleared waivers earlier in the month and drew interest from the Rangers and Orioles, with the latter team apparently trying to get a deal done with the Mariners before the Cubs got him. 

For the Cubs, Jackson represents more good right-handed hitting outfield help off the bench. With Jorge Soler on the DL, the Cubs decided to grab another righty outfielder. Matt Szczur and Chris Denorfia are also right-handed hitting outfield depth in Chicago.

--Devan Fink

The Kansas City Royals acquired outfielder Jonny Gomes from the Atlanta Braves, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported. 

The Braves sent cash along with Gomes and received minor league infielder Luis Valenzuela to complete the deal, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported. 

Gomes is well-respected as a good clubhouse veteran and an extremely good hitter against left-handed pitching. As the Royals are almost all but American League Central champions, Gomes is surely a move for the postseason, as he is a player who could be a valuable addition both on- and off-the-field. 

One other benefit to acquiring Gomes is that he comes with postseason experience. While the Royals, fresh off their AL Championship run, do have that, Gomes is a World Series champion (2013 Red Sox) and has played in the postseason in four different years.

The 34-year-old Gomes is hitting just .223/.327/.368 (93 OPS+) this year, but he is hitting for an .878 OPS against left-handers. Gomes was signed to a one-year, $4 million deal this offseason with a vesting option for 2016.

The Royals are continuing to put finishing touches on their roster for the rest of the season and into the postseason and Gomes represents a possible addition that could go a long way, even if it isn't on the stat sheet. 

--Devan Fink

The New York Mets are continuing to make finishing touches on their roster before the August 31 waiver trade deadline hits.

On Saturday, they acquired right-hander Addison Reed from the Diamondbacks, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com first reported. In return for the reliever, the Diamondbacks received two minor-league right-handers, Miller Diaz and Matt Koch, reported Bob Nightengale of USA Today. 

The 26-year-old Reed has had an up-and-down career, first looking like one of the most promising closers in the American League with the White Sox before losing that role with the Diamondbacks earlier this year. 

This season, Reed is 2-2 with a 4.20 ERA (3.12 FIP) in 40 2/3 innings pitched, saving three games in five opportunities. He lost the role of closer earlier this year after posting a 7.20 ERA through 11 games, going two-for-four in save opportunities. 

Since the All-Star Break, however, Reed has been exceptional. He's made 13 appearances out of the bullpen since the Midsummer Classic, pitching 16 1/3 innings and allowing just three earned runs, not to mention a solid 14 to 3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

For the Mets, Reed can serve as a multi-year addition if they'd like him to be. Reed will be second-time arbitration-eligible next offseason if New York decides to tender him a contract. He is therefore under team control through the 2017 season. 

On the year, Mets relievers have posted a 3.15 ERA, good for sixth in baseball. However, their 3.83 xFIP (15th in the league) suggests that they could be better. 

--Devan Fink

The Toronto Blue Jays will hire Mark Shapiro to become president of baseball operations, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported. 

Shapiro's hiring will be announced early this week, per Heyman, who notes that it could come as soon as Monday. 

Shapiro is currently serving as the Cleveland Indians' president of baseball operations and is widely regarded as one of the top baseball executives in the game. 

He has been in the Indians organization since 1991 and served as their GM from November 1, 2001 to October 3, 2010, when he was promoted to president. 

During that time as GM, Shapiro won the Sporting News Executive of the Year award twice, in 2005 and 2007, leading the Indians to the American League Central Division crown the latter year. 

According to Heyman, the Shapiro and the Blue Jays plan on keeping Alex Anthopoulos as general manager. He has built the team towards their current run, where they are leading the American League East and pose as threats to win the World Series.

Shapiro's exact starting date with the Blue Jays is not known. He will be replacing Paul Beeston, who is planning on retiring at the end of the year. 

--Devan Fink

The Seattle Mariners have relieved general manager Jack Zduriencik of his duties, they announced Friday. 

Assistant general manager Jeff Kingston will hold the Mariners' GM spot through the remainder of the season.

Seattle now joins the many teams in the market for a general manager at the end of the season. The Red Sox, Brewers, and Angels are other teams currently looking for a permanent GM, with the Phillies and Reds possibly following suit at the end of the year. 

"We have reached the point when change of leadership of our baseball operations is needed for the Seattle Mariners to reach our goal of winning championships," team president Kevin Mather said in a press release. "We are very disappointed with the results this season, and are not satisfied with the current operation. The search for a permanent general manager will begin immediately, and while there is no deadline, we expect to have a new GM in place as soon as practical."

Zduriencik was supposedly on the hot seat all throughout the season, with many expecting this to be his last hurrah with the team. The Mariners still haven't met expectations, going 59-69 thus far this season, sitting in fourth in the AL West. 

Zduriencik first was hired as the Mariners GM following the 2008 season. He has led the team to two winning seasons, in 2009 and 2014. This offseason, Zduriencik attempted to inject some offense into the lineup with the signing of Nelson Cruz, among other small moves. 

Despite this, Zduriencik was never able to build a successful team, making his firing inevitable. He has had issues drafting and further developing solid talent. Since he became the GM in 2009, the Mariners have had just four (of eight, including supplemental pick) first round picks make the Major Leagues, combining for a 11.6 bWAR, or less than three per big leaguer. 

The Mariners' GM opening could be a both desirable and undesirable one. With the right touch, this team could be a playoff club. However, their farm system is considered barren. Candidates already mentioned for the possible opening have been former executives Dan O'Dowd and Larry Beinfest, among others. 

--Devan Fink