Mariners reportedly boost bullpen with signing of Ryne Stanek

The Seattle Mariners continue to put together a strong bullpen, this time with the reported signing of righty Ryne Stanek.

With the likes of Andrés Muñoz, Matt Brash and the recently signed Gregory Santos, the Mariners are expected to have one of the better bullpens in the Majors this year. Now, they appear set to be even better.

According to a report from Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, the Mariners have agreed terms with Ryne Stanek, subject to him taking a physical. The deal is apparently for one-year with a guaranteed $4 million and once official, will mean a corresponding move is required on the 40-man roster.

Stanek figures to be a good signing to help the bullpen in Seattle, with his experience including being a member of the Houston Astros’ world series winners in 2022. The question is, what version will the Mariners be getting?

Consider that last season, the right produced a 4.09 ERA, 4.60 FIP and 1.243 WHIP in 55 appearances for the Astros. He did have a 9.9 percent walk-rate which was the second-best of his seven years in the Majors, although his 23.9 percent strikeout was also the second-worst of his career.

A career year in 2022

Compare this to a season earlier, when Stanek set career-lows with a 1.15 ERA and 3.02 FIP in 59 appearances. He also recorded a 1.226 WHIP and a more productive 27.7 percent strikeout, although his 13.8 walk-rate was the third-worst of his career.

In terms of the 32-year-old’s Major League career in general, he has a sound 3.45 ERA, to go along with a 4.14 FIP and 1.274 WHIP. Aside from the Astros, he has also played for the Rays and Marlins and has a combined 338 appearances.

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Stanek has always raised his game in the postseason, with a 2.70 ERA and a phenomenal 0.750 WHIP in 23 appearances. Assuming the Mariners can qualify for the playoffs, his experience could prove invaluable.

The 2013 first round draft pick’s main weapon, is a frightening 98 mph four-seam fastball. However, he does look to mix it up by throwing a 89 mph splitter and 88 mph slider, which only further highlights his tremendous arm strength.

The addition of Stanek was also necessary, given the uncertainty over when Brash and — to a lesser extent — Santos, will return from injury. Last year the Mariners’ bullpen was ranked fourth with a team ERA of 3.48 and tied third-best with 211 walks, while also tied-eighth with a .232 batting average and 1.26 WHIP.

What is your opinion of Stanek, and how do you see him helping the Mariners? More generally speaking, where is your confidence level at in respect of the bullpen? Let us know in the comments section below.