Unbelievable Kuma Back With Mariners

Thursday night heading to bed I read on line that the Seattle Mariners had resigned Iwakuma to a 1 yr. contract with an option of two more years after the Los Angeles Dodgers decided not to sign him after he failed a physical.

I am not real surprised that the Mariners would look to go after Iwakuma; however, I did not expect this to happen so fast. The Dodgers wanted to change the making of the contract and keep him; however, he and the Mariners decided that they wanted to come together on a contract.

Though he is new to the Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto knows the injury history of Iwakuma and he consulted the team doctors to be sure that he was still in good hands as far as pitching for the Mariners.

The amount of money the Dodgers were going to pay Iwakuma I can’t blame them to be cautious when he failed the exam. I am sure they were going to change the contract in the same manner the Mariners ended up doing. Other than the money Iwakuma showed us all that he really wants to stay and pitch for the Mariners and the team felt like wise.

What made this whole thing so exciting is that after losing Iwakuma initially to the Dodgers Dipoto went right out and traded with the Red Sox for Wade Miley to continue making the Mariners starting pitching lineup solid. Now with Iwakuma coming back it not only makes the Mariners a better rotation the team has more depth. This is really true with the history of James Paxton who has had injuries himself the last couple years. The Mariners can take their time getting Paxton reading to pitch instead of having him rush it. We can say that for Iwakuma as well. Either one could start the season in the bullpen in long relief. Every year in April it is important to have someone good coming out of the bullpen for long relief. Early on most of the starters may pitch only five or six innings so the bullpen can get tired by pitching too many innings. Also, later on in the season the Mariners can use someone out of the bullpen to start to keep someone like TaiJuan Walker limited in his innings.  

What I have been reading on line certainly the fans are exciting to see Iwakuma coming back. Not only he has won quite a few games in the four years with the Mariners his record being 47-25 with an era of 3.17. Not many pitchers in the major leagues having a better record especially in limited action. This last season he pitched in twenty games with a record of 9-5 along with a 3.54 which included his first no-hitter. With his history with the Mariners it would be nice if he could start twenty-five games with twelve wins. I am sure we would all like that for sure. Anyway Kuma welcome back we are glad to see you. Go Mariners!