Mariners' gamble on veteran flamethrower could be a godsend for feeble bullpen

Aside from Andrés Muñoz, Matt Brash, and Gabe Speier, the Seattle Mariners bullpen has been a disappointment so far in 2025. It ranked 22nd in WHIP, 27th in opposing team batting average, and has the lowest strikeout rate in the American League. Enter Daniel Bard.

As initially reported by Rob Bradford of WEEI, the Mariners have signed Bard to a minor league deal. He will begin his time in the organization with 10 days at the team's Arizona complex before reporting to Triple-A Tacoma, and his contract has multiple opt-outs over the next couple of months if he isn't called up to the majors.

A low-risk, high-reward gamble for the Mariners

We appreciate that critics will point to the fact Bard hasn't pitched since 2023 and is going to be 40 years old later on this month. However, this is one such instance where we genuinely believe it's a worthwhile risk to bring him in, especially when you include the shortcomings of the bullpen in Seattle this season.

If successful, this wouldn't be the first time Bard proved the doubters wrong after he previously returned in 2020 from a six-year gap without any big league action, which even included retiring for a period of time. He almost immediately proved to be one of the top relievers in the game and was subsequently named NL Comeback Player of the Year.

That success came with the Colorado Rockies, for whom Bard would receive MVP votes just two seasons later in 2022, in arguably the best year of his playing career. The 2006 first round-draft pick had a dominant fastball which averaged 98.0 mph, and he produced career bests with a 3.7 WAR, 1.79 ERA, and 2.86 FIP, while also recording an excellent 0.994 WHIP.

Nothing ever straightforward for Daniel Bard

In keeping with the up-and-down nature of Bard's career, the two-year, $19 million contract extension he signed during his standout 2022 campaign did not play out as hoped for either him or the Rockies. He endured a disastrous 2023 in Colorado, followed by missing all of the next season due to a flexor tendon tear in his right forearm which required surgery.

As much as another successful comeback from Bard might seem like a long-shot to some, it doesn't change our opinion that this is a worthwhile gamble by the Mariners. As per Bradford, the veteran righty received plenty of interest last month as he threw in front of scouts for around 10 Major League teams, including some West Division contenders in each league.

Certainly, we will have a keen interest in how Bard performs in the coming weeks, as he attempts to prove he can capture lightning in a bottle one more time. There's everything for the Mariners to gain in this union, with us not willing to bet against someone who has already proven he has a superior mental fortitude to battle back from seemingly lost causes.

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