Seattle Mariners: Four part-time M’s elect free agency

The Mariners are now eight days into their 2018-19 offseason period, and the first bit of transactional news has come in.

Per Baseball America’s Minor League transaction wire, pitchers Christian Bergman, Mike Morin, and Ross Detwiler, as well as utility infielder Zach Vincej, have elected to become free agents this season. All four players spent time on the Mariners’ 40-man roster during the 2018 season, serving as some of the stashed veteran depth Seattle had in Triple-A Tacoma.

Bergman was the biggest contributor of the four, appearing in three games, two of which he started. He went 0-1 with a 6.52 FIP, but had a solid seven-inning, scoreless affair against the Rangers in an eventual 5-1 loss after his first call-up.

Given that Bergman is known to throw the occasional gem, his departure hurts the Mariners’ tertiary starting depth. How they aim to supplement that area will be something to keep an eye on going forward.

Alike Bergman, Morin also appeared in three games. Through four innings of work, Morin allowed three runs on six hits; furthermore, he went 53.2 innings in Tacoma on a 3.52 FIP and 8.72 K/9. Once a prominent part of the Angels’ bullpen, Morin has quickly found himself trying to make a Major League roster out of camp. That wasn’t possible for him in Seattle, making his move all the more necessary for his career.

Detwiler only appeared in one game, making a spot start after an illness prohibited Mike Leake from taking the mound. For the position he was put in, having to face the defending champion Houston Astros on less than a day’s notice, Detwiler had a decent outing in which he allowed three runs over six innings. However, he was designated for assignment the next day and reverted back to Tacoma.

Vincej was one of the first waiver claims Dipoto made last offseason. The utility infielder stayed on the Mariners’ 40-man roster for the majority of the 2018 season, but only played one game in the teal and navy. Filling in for Kyle Seager at third base, Vincej went 2-for-4 with an RBI against the Astros.

These four players shouldn’t be a challenge to replace, but losing depth is never a good thing. The Mariners will surely be active on the waiver wire, looking to fill out the veteran presence in Tacoma.