The Seattle Mariners Avoid Arbitration With Dustin Ackley, Five Others

The Seattle Mariners have avoided arbitration with five players, include former first round pick Dustin Ackley, according to a team announcement.

Centerfielder Austin Jackson, first baseman Logan Morrison, left-handed pitcher Charlie Furbush, and recently acquired– via trade– Justin Ruggiano all avoided arbitration with the Mariners.

Though the term’s of Austin Jackson’s deal are not known, MLBTR did project the centerfielder to earn $8 million in arbitration for the 2015 season.

For the other players, though, Mike Perchick of WAPT relayed their salary figures on twitter.

Logan Morrison will earn $2.725 million with $25,000 bonuses if and when he reaches both 500 and 600 plate appearances.  Dustin Ackley is reported at $2.6 million, with a $50,000 bonus for reaching 500 plate appearances on the season. Charlie Furbush reportedly carries a $1.3 million salary devoid of incentives or bonuses.

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For all these arbitration salary figures, all are within $300,000 of MLBTR’s estimations.

It is also important to not that Tom Wilhelmsen, a right-handed relief pitcher who the Mariners may try in the rotation, is still arbitration eligible, hinting at the potential completion of a deal between the Bartender and the Mariners before necessitating an arbitration hearing.

These five players, six including Wilhelmsen, will play crucial roles for the Mariners this season. Dustin Ackley and Austin Jackson together make up 2/3 of the outfield, and both represent positions where the Mariners need more production. The last two seasons, Dustin Ackley has struggled mightily in the first half of the season before being one of the better hitters in the league in both second halves.

Throughout last season, including his first half with the Detroit Tigers, Austin Jackson struggled offensively. With great speed to cover ground out in centerfield, the Mariners don’t need a .300/.375/.500 triple slash from Austin Jackson. But the .229/.267/.260 he batted in 54 games with the Mariners last season is unacceptable in 2015.

Both Furbush and Wilhelmsen are expected to anchor another solid bullpen in 2015, while Logan Morrison is the first base incumbent who needs to stay healthy and produce throughout the season. His second half numbers were very encouraging.

And new addition Justin Ruggiano is expected to platoon in right field with recently acquired Seth Smith, though expect the two to compete in Spring Training for the starting spot on Opening Day.