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Mariners Lose 5-Year Veteran To Free Agency After ALCS Exit

The Mariners need to have a productive offseason this winter...
Zach Pressnell|
Apr 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Seattle Mariners hat and baseball glove during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Mariners defeated the Rangers 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Apr 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Seattle Mariners hat and baseball glove during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Mariners defeated the Rangers 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners took a lot of risks to put themselves in a good position in October. And these risks paid off in a big way, as the Mariners were one of the best teams in baseball late in the season. They surged up the American League standings and stole the AL West from the Houston Astros over the course of the last few weeks.

The Mariners had one of the best pitching staffs in baseball this year. They saw as Cal Raleigh took over the sport with one of the best offensive seasons in league history, though he might not win the AL MVP because of Aaron Judge. Seattle also took big risks at the trade deadline, as they added players like Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor. Both of their huge trade deadline additions are headed for free agency this winter.

The Mariners are going to need to make some big decisions over the next few months, but before they could make any of these decisions, they lost a veteran pitcher to free agency.

Mariners pitcher Casey Lawrence elects free agency

Seattle Mariners pitcher Casey Lawrenc
Apr 25, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Casey Lawrence (41) pitches to the Miami Marlins during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Mariners pitcher Casey Lawrence recently opted to cut ties with the Mariners as it was announced he's elected free agency this winter.

Lawrence, 38, has pitched five seasons in the big leagues including two stints with the Mariners. He was with Seattle in 2017 and 2018 as well as part of this season. Over the course of his big league career, he's made 65 appearances and holds a 6.42 ERA. The veteran hasn't been the best bullpen option, but he's made appearances when the health and depth of bullpens are tested.

Seattle is very unlikely to want a reunion with Lawrence again. In fact, it's going to be quite tough for him to find another big league job this offseason. He's already 38 years old and doesn't have the most successful track record.

Meanwhile, the Mariners are likely going to prioritize retaining Naylor or Suárez this winter. After that, they could still be aggressive with other top free agents on the market.

More MLB: Marlins Lose 26-Year-Old Pitcher To Free Agency After Brief Stint

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “OnSI” network among others.

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