Seattle Mariners Rumors: Hisashi Iwakuma To Sign With LA Dodgers

Seattle Mariners rumors about Hisashi Iwakuma won’t please fans. The Mariners may have lost Iwakuma to the LA Dodgers if rumors about the situation are confirmed. A report from December 6 states that the Dodgers are nearing an agreement on a deal with the free agent starting pitcher. MLB analyst Jim Bowden took it one step further, stating that an agreement is actually already in place.

Iwakuma pitched the last four MLB seasons with the Mariners, posting a 47-25 record over 97 starts. He has an ERA of 3.17, a WHIP of 1.082, and a rate of 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings over his career. Iwakuma also just finished a four-year contract with the Mariners that paid him about $21.5 million. When the offseason began, Iwakuma was given a qualifying offer from the Mariners, but he turned it down and opted to enter free agency.

Most of the Seattle Mariners rumors this offseason have been about the team acquiring players, but this could be a step in the wrong direction for the franchise. The LA Dodgers clearly needed to add another starting pitcher after losing Zack Greinke to the Arizona Diamondbacks, creating a situation where the franchise might overpay to sign Iwakuma. That could be exactly what is taking place.

Pitching in his third season with the LA Dodgers, Zack Greinke posted a 19-3 record with a 1.66 ERA and 0.844 WHIP. Greinke was in the running for another Cy Young Award, but came up just short in the voting. He also helped lead the Dodgers into the postseason again, but wasn’t able to help his team past the New York Mets. Now, it seems that the Dodgers hope Hisashi Iwakuma can step right into that second spot in the starting rotation.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, new Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto has already had a busy offseason since taking the job. One move was acquiring starting pitcher Nathan Karns from the Tampa Bay Rays, possibly as a move that forecasted Iwakuma leaving for the Dodgers. He also traded for Anthony Bass of the Texas Rangers, another pitcher that could possibly work his way into the starting rotation.

Other starting pitchers that could make up the rotation for the Mariners include Felix Hernandez, Roenis Elias, Mike Montgomery, Vidal Nuno, Taijuan Walker, and James Paxton. While Dipoto hasn’t publicly stated his intentions with the rotation, he may have a plan with all the pieces that are already in place. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to any Mariners fans if he decides to work with what is already on the 40-man roster.

While these Seattle Mariners rumors may bring an end to Hisashi Iwakuma’s tenure at Safeco Field, it could also be seen as a way to free up money. Dipoto has been linked to several other teams and free agents this offseason, possibly indicating that he is still trying to acquire more offense. At present, the two players on the roster that could play first base are Steve Clevenger and Jesus Montero. Either guy could get a chance in Spring Training, but with extra money to spend, it’s possible Dipoto has his eyes set on a bigger “prize.”

For the LA Dodgers, signing Hisashi Iwakuma makes a lot of sense, as the team has the money to spend and it needs to make a move quickly. There are several Seattle Mariners rumors about the team extending a free agent offer, but that the Dodgers have topped it in dollar amount. That deal, while not yet confirmed by Los Angeles, is stated to be for three years with a fourth year option.

[Photo by: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images]