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Seattle Mariners Arbitration Candidates: Deal or No Deal

By Christopher O'Day

TORONTO, ON - MAY 8: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners is celebrates after throwing a no-hitter during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 8, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 8: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners is celebrates after throwing a no-hitter during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 8, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Chris Herrmann: $1.5 Million – NO DEAL

HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 11: Chris Herrmann #26 of the Seattle Mariners triples in a run in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 11, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 11: Chris Herrmann #26 of the Seattle Mariners triples in a run in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 11, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Herrmann was released by the Diamondbacks before the season started, and signed with the Mariners two weeks later. As the M’s backup catcher, Herrmann ended up with just south of 100 at-bats. He posted a better slash line than Zunino but wasn’t the same catcher defensively.

Unlike Zunino, Herrmann doesn’t bring much power to the plate, with only two home runs in 2018. The Mariners could bring Herrmann back, as they know they would be getting a slightly below backup, albeit one who showed more promise than in recent years.

If the Mariners believe that they can get the catcher who played 56 games in 2016, and slashed .284/.352/.493, they would have a steal. If they get that same catcher who hit much worse in 2017, .181/.273/.345, they would be in a world of hurt.

Herrmann is one of the borderline Seattle Mariners arbitration-eligible players. With the struggles of Zunino at the plate this year, it would make sense for them to go out and try their luck with a different backup. Unfortunately for Chris Herrmann, that’s going to lead to NO DEAL.

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