Mariners News: M’s extend Iwakuma a Qualifying Offer

Greg Johns has reported that the Seattle Mariners have tendered a qualifying offer to free agent pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma.  Iwakuma made $7 million in 2014 with the Mariners but he is now a free agent.  If he declines the offer and signs elsewhere the Mariners would receive a compensatory draft pick.

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The qualifying offer is an average of the top 125 salaries in MLB and this year’s amount comes in at $15.8 million.  Hisashi Iwakuma has until 2 pm on November 13th to accept or decline it.  He can still negotiate and sign with the Mariners or any other team during this time or after he declines it.  He is a free agent.

Aug 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) celebrates following the final out of his no-hit, 3-0 victory against the Baltimore Orioles at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Truth be told, not one player has accepted a qualifying offer since this came about.  So the likelihood that Iwakuma accepts it is low.  Let’s be real, that is a lot of money.  But a one year deal isn’t the stability that most players prefer.  Goodness knows this writer would take it and retire with it.  The Mariners are very interested in keeping Iwakuma.  But this is a formality.  A formality that is clearly about protecting themselves in case he decides to sign elsewhere.  At the very least the Mariners would get that draft pick.  This is the least desirable outcome for the Mariners.

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Hisashi Iwakuma is a legitimate starter.  His splitter is other worldly.  When he’s healthy he misses a lot of bats keeping opposing teams frustrated and scoreless.  Iwakuma missed 10 weeks in the 2015 season with injuries.  But we all know that when the Bear is healthy, he is virtually unhittable.  He’s been labeled the Mariners number two starter.  However, if you look closer you might say he’s been the number one at times.  I sincerely hope that the Mariners work very hard to bring him back.  He should be a top priority this winter for the Mariners.  Hisashi Iwakuma needs to be on that opening day roster for the Mariners to make the playoffs.  For this Mariners team and it’s fans it’s as important and necessary as paying the internet bill.  We can’t not have our internet.  There are many devices in our homes dependent on internet these days.  If we don’t pay the internet bill and it gets shut down there would be heck to pay.  There would be rioting in the streets.  The only people on the streets we want to see is the the Seattle Mariners World Series championship parade in downtown Seattle.