Former Seattle Mariners pitcher seeks new team after option declined

Monday was a big day for former Seattle Mariners players.

Teoscar Hernandez received a one-year qualifying offer extension worth $21.05 million. He will have the opportunity to negotiate with other teams or return to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a qualifying offer. The same team he just won the World Series with.

The former Seattle Mariners starting pitcher can also sign with any team that wants him.

Former Mariners hurler Marco Gonzalez had a $15 million club option that the Pittsburgh Pirates declined on Monday, making him a free agent.

Gonzalez played with Seattle for seven years from 2017 to 2023. Gonzalez had an ERA of 4.08 with 638 strikeouts in 148 starts and 852.1 innings during his time in the Pacific Northwest.

On December 3, 2023, the Mariners traded Gonzalez to the Atlanta Braves, who promptly turned around and traded him to the Pirates on December 5, 2023.

Gonzalez suffered a season-ending left elbow injury that placed him on the 60-day injured list on August 12. This comes just a month after he ended another 60-day IL stint on July 12 with a left forearm injury.

Gonzalez made seven starts for Pittsburgh in 2024 and posted a 4.54 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 33.2 innings.

On September 13, Gonzalez underwent surgery to repair his left flexor tendon, which is estimated to keep him out of action until the end of 2025.

Gonzalez will enter his age-33 season in 2025 and has 11 years of major league wear and tear on his arm. He also previously underwent Tommy John surgery, which kept him out in 2016.

It will be interesting to see if teams sign Gonzalez knowing he won’t be able to play until 2026, or if the team will wait until he gets a clean bill of health before signing with his hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado for a deal.

HANIGER EXERCISES PLAYERS OPTION: After hours of confusion, it was confirmed that the Seattle Mariners outfielder had exercised his 2025 player option. CLICK HERE

FORMER MARINERS OUTFIELDER JOINS MAINERS’ MAIN RIVAL: The 2024 World Series champion and former Seattle Mariners outfielder was acquired Monday by the team’s biggest division rivals. CLICK HERE

RALEIGH AND MOORE JOIN THE PRESTIGIOUS LIST OF FRANCHISE GOLDEN GLOVE AWARDS: Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raley and infielder Dylan Moore became the latest Gold Glove winners on a list that includes several team legends and Hall of Famers. CLICK HERE

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