The Seattle Mariners would like you to know that they’re going for it.
First, they acquired All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier in a deal with the San Diego Padres. But just like the New York Mets, they’re not done just yet.
This afternoon, Seattle agreed to terms with AL Cy Young award winner Robbie Ray on a five-year contract worth $115 Million. The deal includes an opt-out after the third year.
Ray bounced back from a horrific 2020 season, in which he posted a 6.62 ERA with the Diamondbacks and Blue Jays. But Toronto kept him for 2021. Ray went 13-7 with a 2.84 ERA, edging out Gerrit Cole. Ray also posted a 6.7 WAR for the 2021 season.
This is big for the Mariners. This came out of nowhere in 2021 and became a surprise contender, finishing 90-72 and second in the AL West, five games behind the eventual American League champion Houston Astros. They were a mere two games behind the New York Yankees for the second Wild Card.
With Kyle Seager likely departing, the Mariners already filled one need by adding Frazier, that being a lefty bat. But now that they’ve signed Ray, they have an ace pitcher to go alongside Marco Gonzales. They are all in for 2022 and have put Major League Baseball on notice.
Seattle wasn’t eliminated until the final day of the 2021 regular season. However, that ensured that they would fall short of the postseason for the 20th consecutive year. They lost the ALCS in five games to the Yankees the last time they were in the postseason, which was 2001.
But with the addition of Ray, Seattle looks ready to end that drought. They’re loading up and are hungry for more.
For years, the road to the AL West title has run through Houston. But now, that road is going to get even tougher. The Mariners move to sign Ray comes just a day after the Texas Rangers picked up Jon Gray and Marcus Semien.
Seattle is now a force to be reckoned with, and you can bet that the AL playoff race will be a tight one in 2022.
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