SEATTLE MARINERS

Mariners decline LHP Wade LeBlanc’s 2020 contract option

Oct 31, 2019, 1:06 PM

Mariners LHP Wade LeBlanc...

Wade LeBlanc joins the list of Mariners free agents after Seattle declined his 2020 option. (AP)

(AP)

The second Mariners tour of duty for veteran left-hander Wade LeBlanc has come to an end.

Drayer: Those who encountered Ron Fairly hit the baseball sweepstakes

The 35-year-old LeBlanc’s contract option for the 2020 season has been declined by the Mariners, as was expected for a rebuilding Seattle team that will put an emphasis on letting younger players play next year.

LeBlanc signed a contract extension during the 2018 season that guaranteed to keep him on the books through 2019 and included club options for 2020, 2021 and 2022. According to Spotrac.com, LeBlanc earned $2 million in 2019 with a $300,000 signing bonus and $500,000 incentive. He would have earned $5 million in 2020 had the Mariners picked up his option, and his option would have vested had he thrown 160 innings and had what was considered a “healthy arm” at the end of 2019, per Spotrac.

LeBlanc pitched 121 1/3 innings in 2019 and had a stint on the injured list after suffering a strained right oblique in April.

The crafty southpaw enjoyed the best season of his career in 2018 after returning to Seattle following an attempt to make the Yankees in spring training. He appeared in 32 games with 27 starts that season, going 9-5 with a 3.72 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 130 strikeouts, 40 walks and a 2.3 WAR. The highlight of that year was a June 16 outing at home against Boston on national television where he threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings with two hits, nine strikeouts and no walks to get the win in a 1-0 Mariners victory.

Mariners video: Which players have a future in Seattle and who doesn’t?

The 2019 season was a different story for LeBlanc, however. He hit the IL in April after just three starts, and while he had seven quality starts, his ERA sat over 5 for the majority of the season. He eventually lost his spot in the starting rotation and finished the year in the bullpen.

LeBlanc first played with the Mariners in 2016.

The Louisiana native now joins fellow pitchers Félix Hernández, Tommy Milone and Arodys Vizcaíno as Mariners free agents. First baseman Ryon Healy and outfielder Keon Broxton are also available to sign elsewhere after declining outright assignments to Triple-A, which leaves Seattle’s 40-man roster at 34 players.

Follow 710Sports.com’s Brent Stecker on Twitter.

Drayer: The Mariners’ free agents, non-tender possibilities and more

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
High 54° | Low 41°
Roof is open
Red Sox at Mariners today at 7:10pm

Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Mike Salk

Salk: Scars remain as Mariners return, but hope isn’t far away

As the Seattle Mariners return for 2024, Seattle Sports' Mike Salk writes about seasons, scars, frustration, hope and baseball.

11 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Bryce Miller Logan Gilbert Bryan Woo...

Brandon Gustafson

Dontrelle Willis: Mariners’ rotation provides ‘quality every single day’

Dontrelle Willis, a former MLB pitcher and current analyst for FOX Sports, gives his Seattle Mariners insight ahead of opening day.

14 hours ago

Seattle Mariners commercials Julio Rodríguez...

Brent Stecker

Latest Mariners commercial teams Julio up with a franchise icon

Add a new duo to the list of great pairings in Seattle Mariners commercials, with All-Star outfielder Julio Rodríguez joined by a team icon.

17 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh...

Shannon Drayer

Why Mariners hitters are embracing new approach to offense

The Seattle Mariners have new players, new coaches and new messaging for their offense. Based on spring training, it's all landing.

18 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Julio Rodriguez...

Brandon Gustafson

Passan: Mariners’ Rodríguez can take game to another level in 2024

The 2024 MLB season can be when we see "the absolute apex" of star Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez, ESPN's Jeff Passan said.

22 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Luis Castillo...

Brent Stecker

Mariners commercials are back, and they’re pretty good

After a four-year absence, Seattle Mariners commercials are back. Watch the first two starring Cal Raleigh and Luis Castillo here.

1 day ago

Mariners decline LHP Wade LeBlanc’s 2020 contract option