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Seattle Mariners: 5 Free Agent Relief Pitching Targets

By Ty Gonzalez

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 21: Relief pitcher Carter Capps #22 of the Miami Marlins reacts after pitching against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on July 21, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 21: Relief pitcher Carter Capps #22 of the Miami Marlins reacts after pitching against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on July 21, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LHP LUIS AVILÁN

PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 27: Luis Avilan #70 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the sixth inning during a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 27, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nationals won 5-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 27: Luis Avilan #70 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the sixth inning during a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 27, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nationals won 5-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

The Mariners have struggled to acquire bullpen help in free agency, especially from the left-hand side (we’re looking at you, Marc Rzepczysnki). With the departures of James Pazos and Zach Duke, Seattle’s very limited with left-handed options for their ‘pen with just Roenis Elías and Zac Rosscup currently on their 40-man roster.

Enter Luis Avilán, who was non-tendered by the Phillies back in November. The 29-year-old southpaw had a solid year for the White Sox and Phillies, posting a 3.09 FIP and 10.13 K/9.

Where Avilán struggled was with damage control, only notching a left-on-base percentage of 70.2%. That’s a solid indicator of why there’s such a massive gap between his innings totals (45.1) and his 70 appearances.

Avilán is also the true definition of a LOOGY, which is basically like acquiring half a pitcher. In 2018, left-handed hitters slashed .217/.304/.341 against Avilán, whereas righties hit for .277/.346/.387.

Those numbers against lefties will keep him in the league for some time, however. Even with the negatives, Avilán’s been a serviceable pitcher and could provide some value for the Mariners come July or August.

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