SEATTLE MARINERS

Mariners sign onetime Giants closer Hunter Strickland

Jan 27, 2019, 4:26 PM | Updated: 4:42 pm

New Mariners relief pitcher Hunter Strickland recorded 14 saves for the Giants in 2018. (AP)...

New Mariners relief pitcher Hunter Strickland recorded 14 saves for the Giants in 2018. (AP)

(AP)

The Mariners may have found their closer for the 2019 season.

Dee Gordon has ‘been like a big brother’ to new M’s prospect Shed Long

Hunter Strickland, a hard-throwing right-hander who spent some time closing for the San Francisco Giants last season, has signed a contract with Seattle, the team announced Sunday.

To make room for Strickland on the 40-man roster, the Mariners designated 25-year-old right-handed pitcher Max Povse for assignment. Povse was 5–9 with a 5.46 ERA in 18 starts combined with Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma in 2018, and he made three relief appearances with the Mariners in 2017. He was out from July 15 through the end of the 2018 season with a right shoulder strain.

The deal with Strickland, 30, is reported to be for one year, according to MLB reporter Ken Rosenthal. However, since Strickland was non-tendered by the Giants this offseason, the Mariners will have the option of three years of club control if they retain him under the arbitration process, per Rosenthal.

In 2018, Strickland posted a 3.97 ERA with 14 saves over 45 1/3 innings (49 appearances), a season shortened by a fractured hand that kept him out from mid-June to mid-August. He appeared in 55 games in 2015, 72 in 2016 and 68 in 2017.

“Hunter Strickland has the ability and the track record to be an impact reliever in high-leverage situations for the Mariners in 2019,” Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a press release.

Mariners manager Scott Servais said that the right-handed reliever has been of interest to Seattle this offseason in an interview Thursday with 710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton.

“Hunter’s a guy that’s been on our radar,” Servais said. “Hunter’s a guy who’s been out on the free agent market and a guy we’ve been interested in.”

During a pre-spring training press conference Thursday morning, general manager Jerry Dipoto alluded to an addition to the Mariners bullpen being made “in the coming days.”

Servais: With younger roster, M’s will add more structure, discipline

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
High 56° | Low 40°
No game today.

Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners Boston Red Sox Tyler O'Neill...

The Associated Press

Mariners drop opener 6-4 as Boston’s O’Neill makes history

Tyler O’Neill homered in his fifth straight opening day game to set a major league record, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 6-4.

7 minutes ago

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Brandon Gustafson

Welcome Back: Mitch Haniger blasts homer in Mariners return

Mitch Haniger kicked off his return to the Seattle Mariners with a bang, blasting a 2-run home run to right field in his second at-bat.

1 hour ago

Nelson Cruz Seattle Mariners...

Brent Stecker

After throwing out 1st pitch, Nelson Cruz retires as a Mariner

Nelson Cruz threw out the first pitch at Seattle Mariners opening day, then signed a one-day contract to retire with the team.

2 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Julio Rodriguez...

Brandon Gustafson

Mariners Notebook: ‘Consistent pressure’ theme for lineup in 2024

Scott Servais expects big things from the Seattle Mariners' lineup in 2024, as he shared ahead of their opener against the Boston Red Sox.

6 hours ago

Seattle Mariners lineup Julio Rodríguez...

Brent Stecker

See the first Mariners lineup of 2024 for opening day vs Red Sox

The Seattle Mariners' batting order for opening day of the 2024 MLB season against Boston showcases an improved amount of length.

9 hours ago

baseball movie Kevin Costner Field of Dreams...

Brent Stecker

Top 10: Who are the best baseball movie actors of all-time?

To determine the top 10 actors of baseball movie history, we limit the list to those who acted in as least two baseball movies.

10 hours ago

Mariners sign onetime Giants closer Hunter Strickland