Seattle ? The Seattle Mariners traded reliever Jeff Nelson to the New York Yankees Wednesday for right-hander Armando Benitez and cash.

Nelson criticized the Mariners’ front office last week after the team failed to make a major deal at the trade deadline. The 36-year-old right-hander pitched for the Yankees from 1996-2000.

The Yankees acquired Benitez in a trade with the New York Mets July 16.

The deal comes less than a week after the trade deadline, meaning both players had to clear waivers before being dealt.

Nelson was working out in the weight room when a clubhouse worker came in and told him manager Bob Melvin wanted to see him.

“I had no idea what that was about, but when I got there they told me there had been a trade,” Nelson said. “Right away, I wondered where?

“When they told me New York, I was very surprised. The big surprise is that they would deal with a rival team.”

The Mariners and Yankees open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium Friday night and it could be a playoff preview — both teams are in first place.

New York beat Seattle in the AL championship series in 2000 and 2001. Nelson pitched for the Yankees the first time, the Mariners the next year.