SEATTLE _ Jerry Dipoto wouldn't announce the signing, but the Mariners' general manager basically confirmed that it was going to happen.
Just minutes before he was set to take the dais at the Mariners' annual pre-spring training luncheon on Thursday morning to speak to the local media, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic tweeted that Seattle had reached an agreement with free-agent reliever Hunter Strickland on a one-year contract.
Asked if he was signing a free agent, Dipoto replied, yes, but he wouldn't say exactly whom. But Major League Baseball sources confirmed the report that the Mariners and Strickland were in agreement. Strickland would have to pass a physical before the deal gets finalized.
Manager Scott Servais also mentioned the Strickland signing in an interview with ESPN 710.
Strickland posted a 3-5 record with a 3.97 ERA and 14 saves in 49 appearances in 2018 with the Giants. His season was interrupted on June 22 when he suffered a broken right hand after punching a door in a fit of rage. He is presumably the Opening Day closer for a bullpen that Dipoto has admitted will be the biggest question mark going into the season.
