The Mariners have placed Tony Zych on waivers for unconditional release, Greg Johns of MLB.com tweets. It was recently reported that the right-hander was undergoing tests for shoulder discomfort.
A 2011 early-round pick by the Cubs, Zych was famously traded to the Mariners for exactly $1. He always showed tremendous strikeout upside during his Mariners tenure. Across 32 innings during the 2015-2016 seasons, he owned an impressive 12.66 K/9. However, that fell to a much more average 7.75 K/9 last season in 40 2/3 innings.
That Zych has only managed 72 2/3 innings since being promoted in September of 2015 might speak more clearly to the reason for his release. The righty has struggled with shoulder and arm injuries throughout his career, and as such he’s had quite a bit of trouble staying on the field.
If Zych can regain his health, however, it’s not hard to see an MLB team bringing him into the fold. His strikeout upside and ground ball rate (just under 50% for his career) are both reasons to believe that the 27-year-old could contribute at the back end of a major league bullpen again.
dbacks4life
Would be a nice pickup for any team that claims him considering he has a decent ERA and probably won’t cost much
Dan Rogers
Yeah, because ERA is the best way to determine a pitchers value
#Fantasygeekland
He didn’t imply it was the best way… congrats on knowing it isn’t the best way. It’s a good indicator however on how good a pitcher is, albeit not the best
dynamite drop in monty
Son of a Zych
ron cey
man, the M’s are limping already
Doug
Poor guy is always last in alphabetical order too!
skrockij89
M’s already taking a L. Weaken the bullpen and haven’t address the rotation either. Gonna be another long season.
matthew102402
Hardly weakening the bullpen with the signing of Juan Nicasio, and the release of someone who had a 3.99 FIP, a 4.5 BB/9, and a 7.7 K/9, but hey whatever man.
skrockij89
He also had a WAR of 1.1… As a reliever..
matthew102402
Nicasio had a 2.0 WAR.. as a reliever.. anything else?
skrockij89
You seem bitter.
jdgoat
Wow that’s odd. Somebody will get a really good no risk high reward player when he’s scooped up
stymeedone
Injury prone players are always a high risk because teams rarely plan for their likely stay on the dl. It is also never a guarantee that the player will return to their previous level of performance.
nymetsking
not high risk if he gets a minimum or minors deal, which is likely
stymeedone
Risk, and risk vs $, are different things. Getting the performance you want, because of his injury history, is unlikely. That makes him a high risk. Its not like he has made a lucrative salary during his brief career, so it was never a factor.
dswaim
Minimum $$$ is a minimum risk. The $$$ determines the the level of risk you’re taking
User 4245925809
Andrew Miller an example of high risk guy who signed for 2y with Boston (minors deal) to fully convert to relief from destroyed mechanics he had been taught at between detroit and Miami.. He wasn’t throwing 90mph any longer was so messed up, falling off mound after deliveries sometimes.
Afterwards? Miller was sometimes hitting 97-99way back.
Zych just might need the proper teacher and visit various camps to find that guy.. Like Andrew miller did.
Stevil
JDGoat, my money’s on the Cubs.
lovableschmuck
Zych is sick!
rmullig2
He went from being worth one dollar to zero dollars. At this rate he will have to start paying to play for his next team.
bravesfan
A guy worth looking at if ur the braves. No real room or need for him at the moment, but not a bad opinion to have competing for a spot
Groucho
Joining the Rangers in T minus 9, 8, 7…
lowtalker1
This doesn’t look anything related to padres so why is it shown like that?