Seattle Mariners Rumors: Tom Wilhelmsen Set To Be 2016 Closer For Mariners
Seattle Mariners rumors suggest Tom Wilhelmsen could be the team’s closer in 2016. Mariners rumors about the closer situation aren’t surprising, as the team struggled quite a bit with Fernando Rodney in that role. A report from MLB writer Greg Johns gives further insight into what’s going through the mind of current Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon. Assuming that McClendon remains the manager during the 2016 MLB season, it looks like Wilhelmsen could be his man.
McClendon says he “wouldn’t have any trepidation” about going into next season with WIlhelmsen as closer. “I’ve been very impressed.”
— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) September 15, 2015
Rodney entered the 2015 season as the teams’ closer, but he imploded about halfway through the year. Before Rodney got traded to the Chicago Cubs, he had posted a 5.68 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and six blown saves in just 22 chances. Carson Smith got a chance to take over in the ninth inning once Rodney was traded, but he has trouble staying consistent with all the pressure. Smith is still considered a rookie, so the team may turn to him later on in his career.
Quite a few Seattle Mariners rumors dealt with the closer situation following the All-Star break, and the answer from Lloyd McClendon was to give Tom Wilhelmsen another shot. “The Bartender” served as the closer for most of the 2012 and 2013 seasons, but his lack of consistency led to the team signing Rodney as a free agent. At the beginning of the 2015 season, Wilhelmsen even got sent to Triple-A Tacoma to work on his mechanics. That decision by the front office seems to have paid big dividends.
Since the All-Star break, Wilhelmsen has appeared in 25 games for the Mariners, posting a 2.08 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. He has also gone 10-for-10 in save opportunities, striking out 25 batters in his 30-and-one-third innings of work. The most impressive stat for Wilhelmsen has been that he has pitched more than an inning in relief in 10 of those 25 second half games. Having a closer that can work multiple innings is a weapon every team in baseball would love to have.
If Tom Wilhemsen can step in as the full-time closer for the Mariners, it will allow the team to focus on filling other positions in the MLB offseason. With holes in the starting rotation, the outfield, and possibly at first base, the front office has a lot of work to do. There are going to be additional Seattle Mariners rumors about his contract, though, as he is up for another arbitration raise during the offseason.
[Image Source: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images]
