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Breaking Down Every Mariners Move This Offseason

By Nick Lee

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Mariners
Oct 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Marc Rzepczynski (23) pitches during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Signed free agent LHP Marc Rzepczynski 

Rightfully nicknamed “Scrabble,” Rzcepczynski is a reliable lefty that appeared in 70 games last season for the Oakland Athletics and Washington Nationals. He posted an impressive 2.64 ERA and only allowed one home run all season. He will try and fill the void in the bullpen left by Nuno and Mike Montgomery. He is an eight-year veteran with a World Series ring and 21 career playoff appearances.

Mariners
Sep 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Chris Heston (53) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Acquired RHP Chris Heston From Giants

With the departure of Taijuan Walker, there is a big gap to fill in the rotation. Among other pitchers to come in, Chris Heston could be a good plan B. He has 32 career big league starts and is 13-12 with a 4.16 ERA. He is best known for throwing a no-hitter against the Mets in 2015. That was his lone complete season in the majors, posting a 3.95 ERA in about 178 innings. He has shown flashes of brilliance and also stretches of inability to stay healthy. If the 2015 version shows up to camp, the Mariners have some great rotation depth.

Mariners
Sep 23, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Yovani Gallardo (49) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Traded OF Seth Smith to Orioles For RHP Yovani Gallardo 

What They Lost

Seth Smith was a good, not great, bat in the lineup that showed up everyday and did everything that was asked. He hit .249 with 16 home runs (his highest since 2010) and played a serviceable outfield. He was a good left-handed bat to stick in the lineup when needed. He played in 273 games for Seattle in two seasons.

What They Gain

Yovani Gallardo is a welcome veteran arm to an uncertain starting rotation. He had a down year last season, with a bloated 5.42 ERA in 23 starts. There is  somewhat of a gamble in this acquisition. However, if he returns to his 2007-2015 self (3.66 ERA, averaging 184 strikeouts in 204 innings per year), this could be a top-half rotation in the majors this season. In a small sample size of pitching at Safeco Field, he is 2-0 with 11 1/3 shutout innings. He also has started five playoff games with a 2.32 ERA.

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