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Mariners Claim Phil Ervin

By Steve Adams | September 3, 2020 at 1:32pm CDT

The Mariners announced Thursday that they’ve claimed outfielder Phil Ervin off waivers from the Reds, who’d designated him for assignment earlier in the week. Seattle also added right-hander Walker Lockett, another recent waiver claim, to the active roster.

Now 28 years old, Ervin was the 27th overall selection in the draft by the Reds back in 2013. He’s struggled immensely at the plate in 2020, going 3-for-35 with eight strikeouts and six walks. There’s some poor luck at play, evidenced by a ghastly .111 average on balls in play, but Ervin’s hard-hit rate has plummeted from 34.6 percent in 2018 to just 18.5 percent in 2020, per Statcast. He’s always been prone to weak contact when he doesn’t barrel the ball (career 85.4 mph exit velocity), but Ervin’s contact has been weak across the board in 2020.

That said, the 2020 season is a sample of just 42 plate appearances, and Ervin was a roughly league-average bat in parts of three prior seasons. From 2017-19, the former Samford University star hit .262/.326/.438 (98 wRC+ and OPS+) with 17 home runs, 23 doubles, eight triples and 14 stolen bases in 571 trips to the plate. He has experience at all three outfield positions but grades out much better in a corner than he has in his more limited sample of 283 center field innings (-1 DRS, -3.7 UZR).

Ervin doesn’t have minor league options remaining, so he’ll need to stick on the big league club or else be designated for assignment a second time. For now, he’ll give the Mariners a right-handed-hitting backup option in the outfield — one who could potentially fill that role again in future seasons if he shows well in his forthcoming audition.

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Cincinnati Reds Seattle Mariners Transactions Phil Ervin

White Sox Option Reynaldo Lopez
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Rockies Claim Jesus Tinoco
View Comments (20)
Post a Comment

20 Comments

  1. FredMcGriff for the HOF

    5 years ago

    Low risk. Can’t blame them for trying.

    2
    Reply
  2. DarkSide830

    5 years ago

    good claim

    1
    Reply
  3. baseballpun

    5 years ago

    Dumpster-Divin’ Jerry!

    1
    Reply
    • DockEllisDee

      5 years ago

      Ervin is a good player who was endlessly jerked around while he was in Cincy. Hope he gets a fair shot, if not some measure of consistency in how he’s utilized. He kills left handed pitching and over a full season if made a starter I could see him being a .280 avg, 170 hits, 40 doubles type of player.

      1
      Reply
      • BrandonGregory74

        5 years ago

        Ervin is a good dude and a solid player. However, he wasn’t good enough to keep up with Akiyama and Castellanos. With the need for more arms, Ervin became expendable.

        Reply
        • earmbrister

          5 years ago

          Not to mention Winker and Senzel.

          Reply
  4. Judge_Smails45

    5 years ago

    So that means Seattle is sending someone back correct?

    Reply
    • DMC511

      5 years ago

      No the waiver trade deadline isn’t a thing anymore. It’s just a standard claim

      Reply
    • lowtalker1

      5 years ago

      No
      More than likely cash these days after the deadline

      Reply
    • Reimagined Mariners

      5 years ago

      Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Just assuming the contract.

      Reply
  5. lowtalker1

    5 years ago

    Former padres players that end up Seattle are never heard of again
    Those this guy wasn’t there are a lot that are to include Lockett

    Reply
    • Larry Bernandez 1324IM

      5 years ago

      What?

      Reply
    • dumbcommentresponder

      5 years ago

      Homie, I think you’re having a stroke

      1
      Reply
  6. king beas

    5 years ago

    Mets traded Plaweki for two players…both players were then given up to the mariners for nothing. BWV strikes again

    Reply
  7. Ddevore65

    5 years ago

    Might as well, maybe lightening will strike

    Reply
  8. Michael Chaney

    5 years ago

    Ervin is a good player but probably a fourth outfielder long term. But with Julio, Kelenic, Trammell, and others in the system, that’s probably what he’d be anyway. Solid claim.

    Reply
  9. terry g

    5 years ago

    Has to be added to the major league roster. How much he’ll play is the question. The Mariners have some pretty good future outfield options but he’ll need to play.

    Reply
    • BuddyBoy

      5 years ago

      Good options in the minors for the coming years. But so much on the major league roster

      Reply
    • Reimagined Mariners

      5 years ago

      He can play long enough next year to add another year of club control with Kelenic. AAAA players are useful

      Reply
  10. compassrose

    5 years ago

    The way it looks now is the top 3 spots are filled next year or the year after. Moore will be a super utility guy giving them a bit more flexibility.

    Will be interesting to see what happens with Haniger. Smith will be traded or cut Fraley is probably an add on piece of a trade. There are others who will be trade pieces because they are blocked. I am assuming Lewis Kelenic and Rodriguez all play to their potential.

    Reply

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