Report: Mariners closing in on signing LHP Marc Rzepczynski
Dec 1, 2016, 10:25 AM | Updated: Dec 2, 2016, 10:32 pm
Marc Rzepczynski played for the Washington Nationals last season after being traded from the Oakland A's. (AP)
(AP)
The Mariners are reportedly closing in on signing veteran Marc Rzepczynski to fill their need for a left-handed specialist out of the bullpen, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
Source: #Mariners on verge of signing free-agent LH reliever Marc Rzepczynski. Last-minute details to cover. Will be pending physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 1, 2016
Seattle and Rzepczynski (pronounced Zep-chin-ski) are reportedly working on a two-year contract for $11 million, according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick.
Rzepczynski, 31, posted a 2.64 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with 11 holds over 70 appearances (47 2/3 innings) in 2016. He made his first 56 appearances with Oakland, then 14 with Washington after being traded from the A’s to the Nationals. He struck out 46 batters and walked 29.
Since making his MLB debut in 2009 with Toronto, Rzepczynski has played for six teams. Over his career, he had a 3.80 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, and has held left-handed batters to a .222 average, .291 on-base percentage and .298 slugging percentage.
A left-handed specialist is an offseason priority for Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto. Seattle traded Vidal Nuno earlier in the offseason and Mike Montgomery to the Cubs near the trade deadline, and Charlie Furbush elected free agency rather than an assignment to Triple-A Tacoma while he rehabs from rotator cuff surgery.
The 40-man roster currently has just four southpaw relievers: Zac Curtis, Paul Fry, Dean Kiekhefer and James Pazos. Curtis and Kiekhefer both had ERAs over 5 last season in the National League, Pazos has appeared in just 18 career MLB games, and Fry has yet to make his MLB debut.
