Report: Mariners have agreement to sign free-agent reliever Juan Nicasio
Dec 13, 2017, 2:42 PM | Updated: 5:41 pm
Juan Nicasio maintained a 2.61 ERA over 76 games with three teams in 2017. (AP)
(AP)
The Mariners are reportedly adding a strong set-up man to their bullpen.
Seattle has agreed to a two-year contract with Juan Nicasio, a 30-year-old right-handed reliever, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The deal is pending a physical, per Rosenthal.
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Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the two-year deal will be worth $17 million.
A seven-year MLB veteran, Nicasio is coming off his best season yet in the majors. Pitching for Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and St. Louis in 2017, he posted a 2.61 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings. He pitched in 76 games, tied for the National League lead and fifth most in the MLB, racking up 22 holds and six saves. He was also charged with four blown saves.
Nicasio would be the third addition of the day to the Mariners pitching staff. The team previously announced that it had acquired both right-hander Shawn Armstrong from Cleveland and minor league left-hander Anthony Misiewicz from Tampa Bay for international slot money.
Armstrong, 27, had a 4.38 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 21 games over nine stints with Cleveland in 2017.
Misiewicz is a re-acquisition for Seattle, as he was sent to the Rays as part of a trade for catcher Mike Marjama and right-handed pitcher Ryan Garton in August.
