Seattle Mariners – Realistic free agents to consider
Chris Phillips
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M’s Moves Made So Far
Dipoto has been active so far, mainly working on the bullpen and signing bargain-basement payers. Here is a quick recap of the moves.
Keynan Middleton – After a few years with the Angels, they let him go. Before last year, Middleton’s ERA was in steady decline. So has his number of innings pitched. If Middleton can revert more to his 2017 & 2018 form, he can be an effective reliever.
Kendall Graveman – Last year, he was brought in to compete as a starter. He gave the Seattle Mariners two starts before an injury took him out. Upon his return, Graveman pitched exclusively out of the pen. The M’s brought him back in the offseason to continue his role as a reliever.
Matt Magill– Former M’s closer whose best year was 2019. His 2020 never really got on track due to injury. Dipoto resigned him to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Maybe Matt Magill regains the closer role, but most likely, he’s a good (hopefully) reliever in 2021.
Drew Steckenrider – The reliever with an unorthodox and controversial delivery. He also signed to a minor league contract and is working his way back from an injury like Magill and Graveman. When healthy, Drew Steckenrider has the stuff to be an effective late-inning reliever.
Chris Flexen – He over from the Korean Baseball Organization where the former New York Mets prospect posted some good numbers as a starter. The M’s hope that Chris Flexen can be the next Miles Mikolas. A good starting pitcher that can go deep in games while baffling the opposing hitters.
Rafael Montero – The current front runner for the Seattle Mariners closers gig in 2021. Rafael Montero came over in a trade from the Texas Rangers last month. He’s been mostly a relief pitcher in his career after initially beginning his career with the Mets as a starter. Since Montero moved to the pen and he’s been very effective.
These are good quantity moves, not necessarily quality moves.
WOW. What a way to get your first career save. Rafael Montero strikes out Mike Trout to give the @Rangers the 1-run win! pic.twitter.com/1Y3wTRZ2dH
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 8, 2020