Seattle Mariners News: Tom Wilhelmsen Waived, Stefen Romero Released, Trade Completed
Seattle Mariners news revealed quite a few transactions to wrap up a busy week. The Mariners parted ways with three veterans, as they waived pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen, released outfielder Stefen Romero, and lost pitcher David Rollins to the Chicago Cubs. A report by MLB analyst Ryan Divish stated that the move to cut ties with Wilhelmsen is due to the salary that he is expected to receive in arbitration.
Tom Wilhelmsen was with the Mariners for the first five years of his Major League career but got traded to the Texas Rangers during the 2016 MLB offseason. The Mariners sent Wilhelmsen, James Jones, and Patrick Kivlehan to the Rangers in exchange for pitcher Anthony Bass. The Rangers let Wilhelmsen go in June of last season, when he then decided to re-sign with the Mariners.
In six seasons, Wilhelmsen has pitched 358 and two-thirds innings, posting a 3.46 ERA and 1.257 WHIP over that time. He also has a record of 13-14 with 68 saves to his credit. His projected salary of $3.8 million for the 2017 MLB season seems to have been too much for the Mariners, but it’s possible the team could look to sign him again if another franchise doesn’t come calling.
In other Seattle Mariners news, outfielder Stefen Romero was released by the team. Romero is interested in signing with a team in Japan and was granted an unconditional release by the team to explore those options. With no Minor League options remaining on his contract and Romero being unlikely to make the Opening Day roster, the team chose to release him early.
Earlier in the week, the Mariners had placed pitcher David Rollins on waivers. He ended up getting claimed by the Chicago Cubs, where he will report for Spring Training in early 2017. Rollins came to Seattle as a selection in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft, appearing in 31 games and posting a 7.60 ERA over two seasons.
There has been a lot of Seattle Mariners news since the 2017 MLB offseason began. General manager Jerry Dipoto has been very busy, working on waivers to add players, pulling off minor trades to stock the minor league teams, and even acquiring several players expected to make the 25-man roster.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the Mariners traded pitcher Vidal Nuno to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz. Ruiz is expected to see a lot of time behind the plate next season, as he replaces Chris Iannetta on the 25-man roster. The Mariners passed on bringing back Iannetta for another season. In another deal, the Oakland Athletics traded utility infielder and outfielder Danny Valencia to Seattle Mariners for pitcher Paul Blackburn.
The Mariners also released catcher Steve Baron, lost pitcher Adrian Sampson to the Texas Rangers through waivers, and lost Nori Aoki to the Houston Astros through waivers. Adding some players to the roster, the Mariners claimed pitcher Ryan Weber off waivers from the Atlanta Braves and Dean Kiekhefer off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals
Players who are going to free agency include pitcher Drew Storen, first baseman Adam Lind, first baseman Dae-Ho Lee, outfielder Franklin Gutierrez, and starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma. Additionally, the Mariners traded pitcher Zack Littell to the New York Yankees for pitcher James Pazos and sent right-handed pitcher Andrew Kittredge, first baseman Dalton Kelly, and pitcher Dylan Thompson to the Tampa Bay Rays for third baseman Richie Shaffer and shortstop Taylor Motter.
There are a number of other Seattle Mariners rumors, including the team trying to add a shortstop or corner outfielder before Spring Training begins. Though unconfirmed, rumors have linked the team to players like free agent shortstop and outfielder Ian Desmond, Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart, and Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen. Jerry Dipoto isn’t done making moves yet, so Seattle Mariners news from later this winter should reveal even more acquisitions.
[Featured Image by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images]
