Free Agent Tracker: Chris Young Wants to Stay in Seattle

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Chris Young‘s best season in the MLB since 2007 netted him Sporting News’ 2014 AL Comeback Player of the Year award. There’s no denying Chris Young’s resurgence after a strong season with the Seattle Mariners.

But Chris Young is now a free agent, and where he plays in 2015 is still a mystery, though there’s little doubt he will get picked up by somebody this offseason.

Why not the Mariners? Before shipping back to San Diego for the offseason, Young said (per Greg Johns at MLB.com):

"“I absolutely love it here… This has been one of my most favorite baseball experiences. I love the team, love the staff, love the organization, love the city and my favorite Major League ballpark. There’s not a negative here. This place is unbelievable.”"

That’s now the second rousing endorsement the Seattle Mariners organization has received this offseason by a Mariner free agent, the first being relief pitcher Joe Beimel who also wants to be in Seattle in 2015.

Chris Young didn’t pitch a day in the majors in 2013 as he spent the year recovering from his third shoulder surgery. He was signed to a minor-league deal by the Washington Nationals, and was cut just days before the end of Spring Training in 2014.

With just a few days before the regular season, and with Hisashi Iwakuma and Taijuan Walker sidelined with injuries, the Mariners picked up Chris Young on a 45-day advance consent notice– in short, the M’s could choose to terminate his contract after 45 days. Randy Wolf had refused such a deal, necessitating the signing of a starting pitcher.

After missing his first start in Oakland, Chris Young started in 29 games and 12-9 with a 3.65 ERA. His .234 opponents batting average was 8th in the American League, and 1.23 WHIP was 21st among starting pitchers.

It did seem, though, that through his longest season since 2007, Young’s arm started to run out of steam. In his last 5 starts Chris Young was 0-3 with a 8.35 ERA.

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Even still, Chris Young has value out in the free agent market. He even has value for the Seattle Mariners.

As a 6th in the rotation he would provide long-relief and depth throughout the season. As of today, I would guess the Mariners starting rotation will look like: Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, James Paxton, Taijuan Walker, Roenis Elias.

If any of those young guys were to have a slow start or get injured, Chris Young would be the perfect replacement. Heck, he could even find himself in the starting rotation to begin the year, spelling some of the younger guys so they don’t drive up their inning counts in their young careers.

I am in full support of the Mariners signing Chris Young this offseason. He will be 36 on May 25th of next season, but he will still have suitors across the MLB with his resurgent season.

Do you think the Mariners should re-sign Chris Young? Do you think they can? Or will the price tag be too steep with his new-found productivity?