#left-handed-reliever

#left-handed-reliever

The 36-year-old Suter is a throwback in many ways - a soft-tossing, rubber-armed lefty who relies more on command and soft contact while often pitching multiple innings per outing. Last year's 87.3 mph was the second-highest average velocity he's posted on his four-seamer in any of his 10 big league seasons. His 89.1 mph average sinker was a career-high. Obviously, Suter isn't going to blow any hitters away with power stuff.

It was so long ago, but Fluharty had a terrific start to his big league career. Over his first 18.1 innings pitched, the lefty had a 1.96 ERA and 2.97 FIP, with a 26.2 K% and 7.7 BB%. After a few outings in June, Fluharty began to struggle on Jun. 8. From that date until Jun. 30, the final game he pitched in before he was optioned, Fluharty gave up 12 earned runs in 7.1 innings pitched.

Leaning toward the trade market rather than free agency is due to a desire to create some roster flexibility that the current group lacks. None of Carlos Estevez, Matt Strahm, John Schreiber, or Bailey Falter can be optioned to Triple-A. Lucas Erceg has a full slate of options but isn't going to be sent down, given his status as one of the team's top bullpen arms. Daniel Lynch IV and offseason signee are the only relievers who could plausibly be optioned right now.

Saucedo, 32, made his big league debut as a member of the Blue Jays back in 2021 but got the majority of his work over the years with the Mariners after Seattle picked him up off waivers prior to the 2023 season. Saucedo proved to be a viable middle relief arm for the Mariners across two seasons, pitching to a 3.54 ERA in 86 1/3 innings of work with a 21.7% strikeout rate against a walk rate of 11.0%.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander publicly admitted a few weeks back that the club would be looking for bullpen upgrades. Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports that Seattle plans to add two relievers and hopes to have one locked down by the end of the Winter Meetings next week. Adding a lefty is a priority and Jude lists five names they are considering, with four of them being southpaws.

The Brewers have claimed left-hander Sammy Peralta off waivers from the Angels, as announced by both teams.