SEATTLE — Cliff Lee is headed to Texas.

The Seattle Mariners sent the ace left-hander and reliever Mark Lowe to the AL West-leading Rangers Friday for first baseman Justin Smoak and three minor leaguers.

It was the third trade in less than a year for Lee, who can become a free agent after this season. The 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner went 8-3 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts for the Mariners, who acquired him from the Philadelphia Phillies in December.

The Mariners were expected to contend for the West title this season but quickly fell off the pace.