Mariners fans cringe as 3 former stars light up 2025 spring training

Robbie Ray, San Francisco Giants

After years of inconsistency, Ray finally reached the pinnacle of pitching in 2021, leading AL starters in rWAR (6.9), ERA (2.84), innings pitched (193.1), ERA+ (157), WHIP (1.045), and leading all of MLB in strikeouts (248) on the way to his first ever Cy Young award. Thus, it was major news when the Mariners signed him to a five-year, $115 million contract in 2022.

Unfortunately, the Robbie Ray they received was not the one that was advertised. His first year with the team was lukewarm, resulting in a 3.71 ERA as he was outshone by Logan Gilbert and George Kirby. In 2023, he suffered an injury in his first start of the season and required Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. After being traded to the Giants in exchange for Mitch Haniger and Anthony DeSclafani, he was only able to make seven starts in 2024 to a 4.70 ERA.

Now that he's fully healthy, Ray seems closer to what he once was. Across two spring training starts, he has struck out nine hitters without giving up a single run. His fastball velocity is back to being around 95 mph and his slider has shown good movement.

Because his stint with the Mariners was short and forgettable, many remember Ray as the pitcher who gave up the walk-off home run to Yordan Alvarez in the 2022 ALDS. Furthermore, because of the wealth of pitching talent in Seattle's rotation, his services may not be as missed.

Nonetheless, a southpaw with a career strikeout rate of 29.0% still holds value and would be an add for any team. If he puts up 2025 numbers akin to those in his Cy Young campaign, then Seattle may feel a twinge of regret but they likely have no qualms about offloading the remaining $50 million on his contract.