Seattle was promised a franchise by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn.[1] During the summer of 1975, there was speculation that the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, or San Francisco Giants could move to Seattle. When none of these plans proved successful, the American League added a team in Seattle. With thirteen teams in a league creating a scheduling nightmare, the league awarded a franchise to Toronto over Washington, D.C. in March 1976.
Players were selected only from American League teams, in keeping with the practices of the A.L.'s expansion of 1961, the National League's expansion of 1962, and the expansion of both leagues in 1969. Beginning with the next expansion in 1993, the new teams would select players from teams in both the American and National Leagues.
Danny Kaye, part-owner of the Mariners, announced the club's first selection.[2]
Shortly after the draft, traded by Toronto to the Cleveland Indians for Rick Cerone and John Lowenstein. Toronto later reacquired Carty, who played for them in 1978 and 1979.
Traded by Seattle before the start of the season to the Houston Astros for infielderLarry Milbourne. Seattle later reacquired Thomas, who played for them between 1983 and 1987.
Traded in April (without appearing in a game for Seattle) to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later. The Chicago Cubs later sent Jim Todd (October 25, 1977) to the Mariners to complete the trade.
