3 Black Friday Bargins for the Seattle Mariners
![SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 11: Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto watches batting practice before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 11, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Rangers won the game 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 11: Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto watches batting practice before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 11, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Rangers won the game 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fsodomojo-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F541319216-texas-rangers-v-seattle-mariners-jpg-850x560-d42b1485bf0df57af0ef8c04b3449bef.jpg)
Jeremy Hellickson
After a breakout season in 2016, right-handed pitcher Jeremy Hellickson appeared primed to cash in on his first shot at free agency. After all, the 29-year-old had just made 32 starts with a 3.98xFIP over 189 innings. He was worth a whopping 3.3 fWAR, averaging a respectable 7.3 K/9 and a rock solid 2.24 BB/9.
Unfortunately, the Phillies slapped a qualifying offer on him. His market shrank to near existence, and Hellickson was forced to take the $17.2 million offer. Let’s not feel too bad for the guy, but the offer did negatively impact his potential pay day in 2016.
Hellickson’s second chance at a big deal were torpedoed but a truly awful 2017. The 30 year old saw his K rate drop to a poor 5.27 K/9, and his xFIP skyrocket to 5.58. Hellickson has always profiled more as a back-end starter, and 2016 appears to be a major outlier. Why should Seattle consider him?
Because he is cheap. Hellickson is likely looking for a 1 year deal in an attempt to re-establish his value. At 31 years old, there is still some potential upside to explore. If Hellickson can come close to repeating his 2016 season, he would be a solid, and cheap #4 type to help round out this rotation.