Seattle Mariners: Arching Up
The Seattle Mariners, like the rest of the MLB, are quickly working to land some of the remaining free agents. Here is an under-the-radar free agent that could fit in with what the team is looking for.
A couple of weeks ago, we talked about Andrew McCutchen and how he’d be a good fit. On this week’s edition of free agent players that can be a target for the Seattle Mariners, we look at a pitcher. Now your immediate reaction to this player will probably be negative, and you might stop reading this. And some of you might go as far as to lose all credibility in me. For the latter, I’m so glad you gave me any credibility in the first place.
The pitcher I’m talking about is a former two-time All-Star. He’s had several seasons of logging 200 innings or more. He finished third in Rookie of the Year and, in another year, finished fifth in the Cy Young voting. This guy has a pretty good pedigree. Unfortunately, the last few seasons have not been so good for him.
Since 2018 he’s missed time with injury. In ‘18, it was a left abdominal strain; then, in ‘19, it was thumb, hip, and shoulder injuries. In 2020 he had surgery to relieve symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
Then last year, he went on the IL twice for a hip injury which ultimately took him out for the rest of the season. If you’re not sure whom I’m referring to, I’ll just tell you that it’s Chris Archer.
Dipoto’s New Project
Yes, I know, and yes, I hear you. But here’s my counter and why you shouldn’t just rule him out. Seattle Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto likes, no loves reclamation projects. Don’t believe me; just look at Chris Felxen, Drew Steckenrider, Paul Sewald, and Ken Giles.
Those are just a few off the top of my head. I’d bet my PNWS ‘paycheck’ that a vast majority of you didn’t even know that Steckenrider and Sewald were signed to minor league deals last spring. Both of those shrewd moves paid off big for the M’s last year.
Now, I’m not saying that signing Archer will pay off like the Seattle Mariners reclamation projects from last season. What I am saying is don’t be surprised if the M’s sign him to either a minor league deal (that would be perfect) or a cheap MLB deal. At this point, Archer should not be considered be a rotational starter on any MLB roster. He’s totaled 139 innings in the last three years.
For comparison, Logan Gilbert threw 119.1 innings last year alone. Archer is a pitcher that will need time to build his arm strength back up. And honestly, he may best be utilized out of the pen than as a starter.
Dipoto recently stated that the Seattle Mariners are open to a pitcher that is comfortable working out of the pen and/or opening a game. Archer may not be what he once was, and it’s possible the M’s pass on him. But don’t rule it out either.
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Chris Archer, Wicked 91mph Slider. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/kvw5L3Im5B
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 10, 2019