Seattle Mariners Trade Rumors: Hisashi Iwakuma No-Hitter Draws Interest From Contenders
Seattle Mariners trade rumors include Hisashi Iwakuma again. Iwakuma pitched a no-hitter for the Mariners on Wednesday (August 12), giving the team an impressive 3-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles. It was the fifth no-hitter in Mariners history, and the victory clinched another series win for the team. Iwakuma notched this victory in style though.
It took 116 pitches for Iwakuma to put down the Orioles. He struck out seven batters and allowed three walks on the way to his fourth win of the season. This dropped his ERA to 3.86 and his WHIP to just 1.01 during the 2015 MLB season. He has been almost unhittable on the mound since coming back from injury, putting together a run of starts that have really helped out the Mariners since the All-Star break. This is what could make him an extremely valuable acquisition before the waiver trade deadline on August 31.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, earlier Seattle Mariners trade rumors indicated that there were 15 teams scouting Hisashi Iwakuma before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Quite a few other MLB teams are still looking to improve by adding a starting pitcher, which means the Mariners have an extremely valuable asset. The question becomes whether current general manager Jack Zduriencik is planning to offer Iwakuma a new contract in the offseason, as he is less than two months from becoming a free agent who could just walk away.
While the Mariners continue to tread water without making up any ground in the American League West or the MLB wild card standings, the front office has to seriously consider parting ways with Iwakuma before time runs out on a move. With the way that Iwakuma has been pitching lately, there are likely several teams willing to overpay to get him. That’s something the Mariners might need to take advantage of if Iwakuma is about to become too expensive to hold on to in free agency.
While it has been clear for a while that Hisashi Iwakuma is a fan favorite in Seattle, and that he has been one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball lately, the front office may need to part ways with him. Getting someone young on offense that could hit in Safeco Field for many years to come should be a goal of Jack Zduriencik. The inherent problem with these Seattle Mariners trade rumors, though, is that if he gives up on the season, ownership might just cut ties with him.
[Image Source: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images]
