Seattle Mariners: 5 Trade Target from Diamondbacks Rebuild

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PHOENIX, AZ – AUGUST 25: Robbie Ray #38 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a first inning pitch against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field on August 25, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Okay. Full disclosure: I love Robbie Ray. A lot. And now we learn he may be available? Oh heck yes. Ray is a 27-year-old LHP with 2 years of club control remaining projected to earn $6.1 million in arbitration this off-season.

Ray has more or less been a breakout candidate for each of the past 3 seasons. While he has shown extended flashes, he has never quite put all of his tools together for the entirety of the season. 2018 was a step back for Ray, who battled an injury early in the year that cost him 2 months of the season.

Despite the injury, Robbie Ray still posted solid numbers for the D-Backs, including a 3.77 xFIP and a 12.01 K/9. However, Ray’s already spotty command took a step back in 2018, averaging over 5 walks per 9 innings pitched. Ray’s career mark hovers around 3.8 BB/9, so his command will lower his value.

Ray’s 93-95 MPH fastball is a good pitch, but his bread and butter is his wipe away slider. Ray abandoned his mediocre changeup in 2018, instead opting to throw more curveballs. The pitch grades at well above-average, giving Ray 3 legitimate offerings.

Unless he can find the control that he has always lacked, Ray’s upside will likely be limited to that of a #3 type of starter. Ray also has a history of missing time, only posting more than 162 innings once. However, Ray has been durable enough to make at least 23 starts a year each of the past 4 years.

With Ray’s upside limited, the Mariners may just be able to sneak into a bidding war and win Ray right out from under other pitcher needy teams.

Proposal: Robbie Ray for Kyle Lewis, Ben Gamel, and Juan Querecuto

Likelihood of a deal: 5/10

Next. 5 Most Disappointing Mariners in 2018. dark

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