Matthew Boyd, Seattle Mariners. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Seattle Mariners’ first playoff appearance since 2002 didn’t last as long as fans hoped. The team will have some free agents to unload this offseason in hopes of heading to the playoffs again in 2023.
After sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card round, the Mariners went to extra innings Saturday only to be swept by the Houston Astros in the ALDS after 18 innings.
The Mariners scraped and clawed their way to the second Wild Card position with a 90-72 record. This earned them second place to their AL West division rival and, ultimately, their ALDS opponent, the Astros.
After going scoreless for 18 innings Saturday, the Mariners had Penn Murfee on the mound. Murfee gave up a solo shot to rookie Jeremy Pena who knocked the fly to center field. Luis Garcia pitched the final five innings, giving up two hits and striking out six batters.
The Mariners must use this experience to grow for the future, which looks bright.
The Mariners are a very young team but do have several free agents the team will likely part ways with to make way for their young stars. Julio Rodriguez recently signed a seven-year contract worth $119.3 million. Luis Castillo also recently signed a five-year contract worth $108 million. Fan favorite Mitch Haniger will be a free agent this off-season and could net a nice pay increase.
So let’s look at some free agents who likely will not return.
Mariners pitcher Matt Boyd will move on to St. Louis Cardinals
The San Francisco Giants traded Boyd to the Mariners at the trade deadline. Boyd was signed to a one-year deal and will be a free agent this off-season.
A left-handed reliever, Boyd was 2-0 for the Mariners in 10 games, with 13.1 innings pitched. While he gave up eight walks, he did strike out 13 batters. Before this season, Boyd spent seven seasons as a reliever for the Detroit Tigers.
Boyd had a 41.4-percent ground-ball rate which would make him the perfect fit with a team with a stellar infield defense. Boyd throws a fastball 47.4-percent of the time, followed up with a slider, a change-up, and a curveball. Boyd’s curveball averages 72 mph with 67-inches of vertical drop. Boyd may want to use the offseason time to perfect this as a put-away pitch, making him an attractive find on the free-agent market this offseason.
A lefty with good off-speed pitches is always a need for teams hoping to contend for the playoffs. While many teams are going the younger route, Boyd is a veteran who could have the eye of teams like the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, or San Diego Padres.