The Mariners Thursday announced that five players, per MLB rule, have become free agents, including DH Kendrys Morales, who led Seattle with a .277 average and 80 RBIs, and Raul Ibanez, who matched Ted Williams’ 1960 record for most home runs in a season by a 41-year-old with 29. Ibanez also ranked third on the team in hits (110) and RBIs (65).
With the end of the World Series, OF Endy Chavez, LHP Oliver Perez and C Humberto Quintero also became free agents. The Mariners 40-man roster is at 35 players with RHP Stephen Pryor still on the 60-day disabled list. Pryor will need to be put back on the 40-man roster by Monday.
Of the five, Ibanez has been most vocal about expressing interest in returning to the Mariners. The 2013 season marked his third stint in Seattle.
The Mariners are still seeking a managerial replacement for Eric Wedge, who opted not to return. According to CBSSports.com, Seattle has interviewed San Francisco Giants bench coach Ron Wotus, Athletics bench coach Chip Hale, Padres bench coach Rick Renteria, and Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon, who is also a candidate to replace Jim Leyland, who retired.
The Mariners have also interviewed former catcher Dave Valle, who has no managerial experience.
2 Comments
.277 average led the team. Wow.
Does it really matter what this team does? Who cares which players leave and which free agents the Mariners sign. Until the “youth movement” can put up league-average numbers — LEAGUE AVERAGE (not asking for a lot here, really) — it doesn’t matter which one or two players leave or are added to the roster.
The only hope is to trade Felix for the entire Boston Red Sox team. Anything short of that won’t make a lick of difference.
I think Ibanez and Morales are worth bringing back, especially Morales, if the price is right. Ditto for Chavz and and Perez. IMO, time to field offers for everyone else except for players brought up this season. Get a leadoff hitter, #3 starter, backup catcher and a veteran lefty for the bullpen.
Assuming the priority is to win and compete for the playoffs. If it’s just to get field a team and look at how pretty the spreadsheets are then by all means, let’s get Bill Caudill and Larry Anderson in uniform. At the very least they’re good for laughs and will somehow involve jello in their antics.