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3 Under the Radar Pitchers for the Mariners to Consider

By Colby Patnode

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 20: Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 20, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 20: Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 20, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Steven Matz, LHP New York Mets

MIAMI, FL – JULY 1: Steven Matz #32 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on July 1, 2018, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JULY 1: Steven Matz #32 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on July 1, 2018, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Perhaps you have heard, but the Mets are bad. And while the entire world focuses on what they might get for Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard, perhaps there is a less heralded starter the Mariners could afford.

A former top prospect, 27-year-old lefty Steven Matz is having a nice bounce-back season after a disastrous 2017, which led many to write him off as a bust. On the year, Matz has posted a 3.69 ERA and a 4.19 xFIP.

In addition, Matz is averaging 8 K/9 this year, along with an impressive 52.6 % groundball rate. A true 4 pitch lefty, Matz uses a sinking fastball that sits around 93 mph along with a solid 84 mph changeup. Matz also has 2 average breaking balls, giving him a nice mix of which to work from.

Unlike Wacha, Matz has yet to enter arbitration, though he will do so after the 2018 season. With 3 years of club control, Matz might be a more appealing option to Dipoto than Wacha, but may also cost more.

The Mets are absolutely going to be sellers, but if they are serious about moving their co-aces, then they would likely be unwilling to move Matz and guys like Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo. However, if the Mariners can offer a package good enough to entice the Mets, perhaps they will hold off on dealing deGrom or Syndergaard until this off-season.

The Mets will probably insist on Kyle Lewis being in the deal, and if not for a dreadful 2017, it might be a fair deal. The Mariners would ultimately balk at the asking price, but guys like Evan White, Julio Rodriguez and Braden Bishop would be on the table.

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