The Seattle Mariners bullpen probably was one of the reasons
the team won only 68 games for the season. So much that the team turned over
the roster in the bullpen; none of the pitchers starting the season in the
bullpen end the season in the bullpen.
Over the season the Mariners used 33 pitchers out of the
bullpen. Cory Gearrin was the last pitcher who started the season with the
Mariners but didn’t last. The Mariners put him on waivers August 23, and he was
picked up by the New York Yankees. It turned out good for him because he is now
in the playoffs. He led the Mariners in appearances at 48. He had a decent ERA
of 3.92. Obviously, the Mariners staff didn’t feel he was part of the team’s
future.
Hunter Strickland the Mariners signed as a free agent during
the off-season to be the team’s closer, however, injuries early on in the
season he ended up pitching in only four games for the Mariners. Shortly being
activated off the injured list the Mariners traded him along with Roenis Elias
to the Washington Nationals for three prospects. One of the prospects was
Taylor Guilbeau who became the Mariner's left-handed specialist in the middle
of August. Elias pitched in several roles in the Mariners’ bullpen including
closer before the trade to the Nationals. He was tied for second in appearances
for the Mariners at 44 games with Anthony Bass and Brandon Brennan. Actually
had he not been hurt and on the injured list for a while, Brennan would have
been the only reliever on the team for the season. The Mariners see him as a
member of the bullpen for 2020.
The Mariners acquired Austin Adams from Washington
Nationals on May 4. He became a bright spot in the Mariners’ bullpen with his
enthusiasm. He did spend some time in July on the injured list. Also, near the
end of the season, he was hurt once again. He is going have to undergo ACL
surgery. So likely he will miss at least the early time of next season. The
Mariners look to him to pitch in either the seventh or eighth inning for them.
The Mariners ended the season with 11 pitchers in the bullpen
because of the expansion of the roster in September. Many of those pitchers will compete to make
the roster as one of the eight members of the bullpen. With the rosters
expanding from 25 to 26 next year this will allow teams to carry eight
relievers along with five starters. They will be able to have an additional
infielder, outfielder, or catcher as well.
Besides the eleven pitchers ending the season in the bullpen
the Mariners will likely acquire a few more pitchers during the off-season plus
allowing some additional pitchers off their double-A Arkansas team to compete.
In September Zac Grotz, Reggie McClain, and Art Warren spent time in Arkansas
as well; so those three will be competing for spots along with several other
pitchers.
Erik Swanson the Mariners acquired along with Justus
Sheffield from the New York Yankees last off-season for James Paxton has a real
shot to make the Mariners as a reliever. He has spent most of his career as a
starter but showed the Mariners in September he can be a valuable piece of the
bullpen.
Whether the Mariners have a winning record next season or not
the bullpen will be much improved next year. They showed that in the second
half of the season. It will be interesting to see if the Mariners will pick up
a closer or go with one of the guys who are on the roster right now. Matt Magill who the Mariners acquired from
the Minnesota Twins on July 21 ended the season as the closer so he may get the
shot as the closer when next season begins.
It will be interesting to see what the bullpen will look like
next season. I expect a combination of veterans and youngsters. Go M’s.
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