Seattle Mariners: Is This a Make-It or Break-It Year for Justin Smoak?

The Seattle Mariners know a thing or two about trading a top-notch pitcher for a top hitting prospect.

Back in 2010, the Seattle Mariners were dangling pitcher Cliff Lee to the highest bidder. All they wanted in return was a top power-hitting prospect.

They nearly pulled a deal with the New York Yankees for catcher Jesus Montero (yes, the same Montero who is now a Mariner), but instead swung a last-second deal with the Texas Rangers for their top prospect: switch-hitting first baseman, Justin Smoak.

Smoak, the 11th overall pick in the 2008 draft, had a career resume worthy of being labeled a top prospect and franchise player. A 2005 high school All-American and member of the 2007 U.S. National Baseball team, Smoak drew comparisons to former Texas Rangers first baseman, Mark Teixeira.

The Rangers called up Smoak in April 2010 and although he struggled, Smoak showed why he was worthy of a top pick. He drove in 22 runs as the Rangers finished 21-6 during the month of June, the best monthly record in franchise history.

In the midst of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 1999, the Rangers, who were hesitant at first, traded Smoak to the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Cliff Lee.

For Seattle, it was a win-win deal. Knowing that they were not going to be able to keep Lee long term, they instead swapped Lee to a contender and landed a franchise switch-hitting first baseman.

In 30 games for Seattle, Smoak brought up his batting average 30 points, and in a three-game series against his former team, Smoak smacked three homers (one in each game) and drove in seven runs.

The 2011 season proved to be tough for Smoak, both on and off the field. From Opening Day through May 16, Smoak was hitting a career high .287 with six homers and 25 RBI. During one five-game span, he hit three homers and drove in 11 runs. From that point on, Smoak's numbers fell and the injuries mounted.

In mid-April, Smoak's father passed away from lung cancer. In August, he suffered a broken nose on a bad infield hop that forced him to the DL. Smoak also played with a bruised thumb and a groin strain.

During the month of July, Smoak had just 12 hits in 85 at-bats, good enough for a .141 batting average. He saw his .287 batting average from May 16th fall all the way down to .218 on July 30th.

Smoak missed most of August with the broken nose, but returned in September and finished out the year strong, hitting .301 in 22 games.

For a Seattle team that thought they were landing a franchise switch-hitting first baseman, things haven't exactly panned out immediately as they hoped.

In December, Seattle met with free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder and at one point, were considered the front runners to land the hard-hitting left lander. Fielder instead opted for the Tigers and Seattle instead extended Smoak's contract for the year.

If the first two seasons are indicators, then Justin Smoak could be a first baseman averaging 15 homers, 50 RBI and a .230 batting average. For Seattle, they hope it's nothing more than growing pains and with the addition of another young power-hitting prospect in Jesus Montero, the Mariners hope that Smoak will finally start to live up to his potential.