Hisashi Iwakuma’s 2015 option technically vested by operation of performance bonuses, Mariners officials tell Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune. Of course, Seattle would gladly have exercised the $7MM option on its own, as Iwakuma has been outstanding since joining the team before the 2012 season. The club has interest in exploring a new deal for the 33-year-old righty, Dutton reports.
Here’s more from Seattle and the AL West:
- The Mariners have a rotation spot open but may not be interested in re-signing Chris Young to fill it, writes Dutton. That is due in large part to the fact that Taijuan Walker may have pitched himself into the starting five, making it hard for Seattle to commit dollars or make roster promises to free agents. While the team will no doubt pursue some veteran depth, Dutton notes that it is unlikely to match what Young can receive elsewhere.
- Down in Houston, the Astros are preparing for a busy offseason, as MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart writes. GM Jeff Luhnow said that the club is hoping to improve in the pen and corner infield while adding some pop through an outfielder. The team has as much as $20MM in added payroll capacity to accomplish that, per Luhnow, who says that the organization already has a list of free agent targets and has had contact with a dozen clubs in preparation for trade talks. “There’s been some turn over in front offices,” said Luhnow. “We think we know what players might be available, but you never know until the season’s over and people are taking stock of their areas of improvement and where they have excess and you never know where there’s going to be a match. You’ve just got to talk to everybody.”
- One player who the Astros will not be able to get a look at to start the spring is righty Brad Peacock, who had bone spurs removed from his right hip. Per Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle, the club does not view the surgery as a long-term concern, but Peacock seems rather unlikely to be ready by Opening Day. Having already dealt away Jarred Cosart at the trade deadline, Peacock’s situation could make Houston somewhat more inclined to add starting depth through free agency.
Wonder if they will give Hultzen a chance to crack the rotation in ST?
if he’s healthy, sure
Without a doubt if he’s healthy.
Even though offense is still a top priority, I would almost prefer a pursuit of one of the top FA pitchers. They could potentially go that route and instead try to trade for a young hitter. Just not sure if you can really count on Walker and Paxton for an entire year. Either of those two guys might be able to fetch a good young hitter from a rebuilding team too. My number one target on that front would be Jorge Solar.
When you have Felix, Iwakuma, Paxton, Walker, Elias, Hultzen, and a pitcher friendly park it makes much more sense to solidfy the lineup then to spend around 20-25 million on Scherzer, Lester, or Shields. Do some 1 year FA pitcher signings for depth at most maybe a Masterson who could thrive in that park. Then go after athletic good hitters like Melky Cabrera through trades or FA. Don’t think Cubs want to give up on Soler after he dominated this past year.
Doubt the Cubs would give him up either, or if they did it would be a massive cost, but they did just trade away two SPs this past deadline. Thing is, they’ll probably be going after some of those FA pitchers rather than looking to deal for one, especially a young one.
As for the Ms, unreliability of their starting pitching hurt them last year. It’s easy to point at their offense, and entirely accurate if you do, but their starting pitching past Felix and Iwakuma is questionable. They have potential sure, and very good potential, but that’s not something you can really count on.
Whatever the case, the Ms are in good position to compete next year, and compete well.
Chris young is a great story
Astros are looking for an OF with pop? So they have little to no faith in Domingo Santana?