This journeyman pitcher is becoming a Mariners legend in the weirdest way

You may or may have not heard of the condition known as Stockholm syndrome, which is used to explain the psychological bond a hostage develops with their captors. It was famously referenced in an episode of The Simpsons, when Homer was kidnapped during a trip to Brazil.

In an event, this came to mind when considering some recent news involving the Seattle Mariners.

As confirmed on the Mariners' transactions log, the team has signed Casey Lawrence to a minor league contract. However, as fans will probably be well aware, this isn't the first time Jerry Dipoto and company have welcomed the 37-year-old into their organization:

Heck, it's tough to even decide who is the hostage and who is the captor in this scenario between the Mariners and Lawrence. Either way, though, after the two sides initially played it cool earlier in his career, they've stepped it up of late; pending what happens with the righty this time around, it will be his fourth time in Seattle this year alone!

Casey Lawrence not a regular contributor to the Mariners

What's interesting about the long-term connection between Lawrence and the Mariners is that he's actually only appeared in 38 games in total in a Seattle uniform. Further, he's not exactly been lights out in his 75.1 combined innings for the team, as evidenced by a 5.85 ERA, 4.84 FIP, 1.633 WHIP and -1.0 WAR.

As bad as that all sounds, on the flip side the Mariners have gotten the "best" of Lawrence compared to his stints with the Toronto Blue Jays — another team which seems to have a tough time letting him go — and the St. Louis Cardinals. For what little it's worth, this season specifically he produced a 3.60 ERA, 5.22 FIP and 1.500 WHIP in 10.0 combined innings over four appearances for Seattle before being claimed off waivers by Toronto.

You really have to wonder why Lawrence and the Mariners can't just make a clean break of things. But even though he's not a fan favorite and certainly not a household name in Seattle, he must mean something to the organization and everyone connected with it!

If nothing else, we assume he has at least built some solid relationships in the local housing/rental market during his stints in the Pacific Northwest, which included being a regular part of the rotation in Triple-A Tacoma during last season.

Recent Posts