T-Mobile Park (Photo by Susan Dennis, via Flickr)
Dan Altavilla, Seattle Mariners
Finding a new closer wasn’t a big priority for the Seattle Mariners this spring. After all, 2020 was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Now that the expected start to the season is somewhere between late July to early August, the M’s need to make some modifications to their original plans.
A shortened season with fewer regular-season games and expanded playoffs means the closer position will be more critical than earlier anticipated. Because 16 teams will make this year’s playoffs, the Mariners have a chance to be there for the first time since 2001.
So now, we look at each candidate.
The Mariners signed this Japanese import, as a free agent, during the off-season. He spent the last two years with the Arizona Diamondbacks, primarily as a setup man.
Yoshihisa Hirano had an excellent 2018 for Arizona, with an ERA of 2.44 in 75 games. Last season he struggled against MLB hitters much more than he did a year prior. As a result, his ERA nearly doubled. Seattle hopes with a change of scenery Hirano can repeat his 2018 season.
One thing working against him in the battle is that he hasn’t much success in closing out games in the Majors. The right-hander has blown nine of his 13 save opportunities.
After four seasons riding the Seattle – Tacoma shuttle, the Mariners are ready for Dan Altavilla to reach his potential. The right-handed reliever has a good chance to make his case because of the expanded rosters. If Altavilla could put it all together, he would be a perfect closer. His fastball frequently trips the radar at 100 MPH, and he can mix in a good slider.
Altavilla’s chances are strong that he will be in the M’s bullpen, as long as he can stay healthy. If Altavilla can’t cut it, Seattle has to place him on waivers because the Mariners are out of minor league options on him. He would be quickly snapped up by another team just because of his potential. Control can be taught, throwing triple digits, can’t.
Carl Edwards Jr. (Photo by Arturo Pardavilla III, via Flickr)
Another free agent pitcher the Seattle Mariners signed during the off-season is Carl Edwards Jr. The South Carolina native had three solid seasons as a setup man for the Chicago Cubs before 2019, and the numbers show he was getting better. From 2016-18, Edwards pitched 154.1 innings, with 204 strikeouts, 3.03 ERA, and 1.06 WHIP. Last year, he had shoulder issues that stopped whatever momentum he had built.
In 2019, Edward’s ERA ballooned to 5.87 for the Cubs in 20 appearances. He was shipped to San Diego at the trade deadline and was worse than before. In a brief call up, Edwards pitched in two games and put up a 32.40 ERA in 1.2 innings. The Padres tried to send him back to the minors. As was his right under the CBA, he refused the assignment, becoming a free agent.
M’s General Manager Jerry Dipoto signed Edwards on the chance he can get back to the days when he was an effective setup pitcher for the Cubs. Anything close to his pre-2019 strikeout rate of 1.36 batter per inning will make him a valuable member of the bullpen. It’s likely Edwards sticks with the team as a middle to late innings reliever.
In a pinch, manager Scott Servais could use him as a closer. However, like Hirano, Edwards hasn’t had much success in the role. He has only converted two of nine chances to save a game.
Austin Adams, Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners acquired Austin Adams on May 4, 2019, from Washington, after the Nats designated him for assignment. Adams spent nine days at Triple-A Tacoma before being summoned to Seattle.
Working out of the bullpen, Adams showed some positive results. He was good enough for the Mariners to promote him to a setup man. From his first appearance in a Seattle uniform on May 13 through July 2, the tall (6-3) righty had a 2.38 ERA in 20 appearances. The next day he injured his right shoulder, which put him on the injured list for six weeks.
Adams completed rehab assignments at Tacoma and Double-A Arkansas. He returned to the Mariners on September 1. Unfortunately, Adams wasn’t the same pitcher. In eight late-season games, he had a 4.91 ERA in 7.1 innings. Another injury cut his 2019 season short.
In February, the Former University of Sout Florida Bulls star had to have ACL reconstructive surgery. The original recovery estimate said he would miss at least half of the 2020 season. If the season does resume in July, Adams could be ready to take his place in the bullpen.
Armed with a very tough slider to get a bat on, Adams has his out-pitch. At first, the Mariners plan to use him in a setup role as he continues his recovery. He has a fiery personality to go along with that wicked slider, which makes him a nice option to be Seattle’s closer eventually.
Seattle Mariners pitcher Matt Magill
Matt Magill ended 2019 as the Seattle Mariners closer. That makes him the leading candidate to win the job this year as well. He is another player DiPoto picked up from the scrap heap. The M’s acquired Magill on July 21 from Minnesota for cash, after the Twins had designated him for assignment.
It was a tale of two seasons for the four-year MLB Veteran. He started the season on the injured list because of tendinitis in his right shoulder. After he was activated from the IL on April 26, Magill made 28 appearances out of the Twins bullpen. He pitched 28.1 innings with a 4.45 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 15 walks.
The Mariners coaching staff did a great job working with Magill after his arrival. In 22 games, he had an ERA of 3.63, 21 hits, 28 strikeouts, and only five walks. On August 17, Magill made his debut as Seattle’s closer.
With the Mariners leading 4–3 in Toronto, against the Blue Jays, he was brought in to pitch the 9th inning. He gave up one hit while striking out the side.
Magill had five saves in seven opportunities down the stretch. As long as he stays fit, it’s his job to lose. The other four pitchers on this list will be fighting him for the job when (if) spring training 2.0 begins.
Who do you think will be the Seattle Mariners closer in 2020? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.