The 2018 Sodo Mojo Off-Season Plan

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 9: Robinson Cano
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 9: Robinson Cano /
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Sign Jake McGee to 2 year, $17 million deal

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – APRIL 14: Jake McGee
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – APRIL 14: Jake McGee /

The Mariners bullpen was not terrible in 2017, but it wasn’t great either. Closer Edwin Diaz was still wildly inconsistent and Nick Vincent really struggled in September. A healthy David Phelps can take pressure off both of these pitchers, but is far from a guarantee.

Both Emilio Pagan and James Pazos appear to be building blocks in the bullpen, both having impressive rookie seasons. The Mariners still need a couple of late inning guys to bolster the back half of the bullpen. With Dipoto’s comments about managing a staff differently, it makes us believe that money will be spent on the bullpen this off-season. Enter Jake McGee.

Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners /

Seattle Mariners

Jake McGee is an interesting case. After a truly awful season for Colorado in 2016, McGee returned to form in 2017. The left-handed reliever posted an impressive 1.09 WHIP with a 9.1 K/9 and a 3.63 K/BB ratio.

Despite being a lefty, McGee has been slightly better against right-handed hitters. Spending this kind of money on a LOOGY (lefty one out guy) would be foolish, so Dipoto get’s 2 reliever slots filled with one arm.

A bullpen of Diaz, Vincent, Phelps, Pagan, Pazos, McGee and Simmons could give the Mariners one of the deepest bullpen in the American League. It would, however, require the team to move around some of the returning arms.