Right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma gets contract extension – MLB Update
Seattle Mariners' management reacted rationally and timely on giving a two year extension to their Japanese star, right hander Hisashi Iwakuma.
It was the right decision as Saturday was the deadline to extend his contract or else he would have gone into free agency market.
Mariners gave him two-year extension and own last year’s option which will give them slight relief regarding their extended rotation.
“Hisashi did a very nice job for us at the end of last season as a starting pitcher and we are happy that we have come to a mutual agreement. We look forward to his veteran presence,” said general manager Jack Zduriencik in a press release and explained about Iwakuma’s contract.
Later manager Eric Wedge said, “Kuma really helped solidify our rotation in the second half of the season. He is a competitor on the mound and did a great job for us. He got stronger with each start during the season and gained confidence. I am looking forward to seeing him on the field ready to work when we start spring training in Peoria.”
Iwakuma is a good player and played as reliever and starter for the Mariners in this past Major League regular season. He finished this season with 3.16 ERA along with 9-5 win-loss, 101 strike-outs and 1.28 WHIP.
This was the first year of Iwakuma in the Major League but he is a qualified pitcher and possesses large experience.
He had played in his native country Japan for some top teams. He started his baseball career in 2000 when he first played for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes. He stayed there for almost four years and later went onto play for the Orix Buffaloes.
He also played for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles but made his debut in Major League Baseball in 2012 when he joined the Seattle Mariners.
It was also a very good sign for the Mariners as they brought one of the best overseas players in their roster and later it did turn out correct that Iwakuma’s presence gave them great stability in the rotation.
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