Hisashi Iwakuma threw a no-hitter for the Seattle Mariners against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday and with the pitcher heading into free agency, the performance shows why the M's are likely to consider signing him back this winter to keep him in the pitching rotation with Felix Hernandez.
The Mariners have had a disappointing season, but the no-hitter is a major bright spot for the team and Iwakuma. The pitcher has had some injury issues this season and moving forward the team now has to decide whether Iwakuma is worth locking up on a new deal. Iwakuma has started 11 games this season and he is 4-2 with a 3.86 record with 58 strikeouts. The no-hitter for Iwakuma came in his first complete game and ended up as a 3-0 win for the M's.
Iwakuma is making $7 million this season and he will be a free agent in the winter after four seasons with the Mariners. Iwakuma was a finalist for the Cy Young in 2013 and he posted a 2.66 ERA that season with a 14-6 record while striking out 185 batters. According to Jeff Passan at Yahoo Sports, the Mariners received calls about Iwakuma at the trade deadline, but the team decided to not make a deal. The Seattle Times reports that the Mariners are "likely" to sign back Iwakuma and that the pitcher wants to remain in Seattle.
Iwakuma is 34 and he could be in line for a deal around $25-$30 million if he signs for two or three years. Lookout Landing writes that there is conflicting info on whether or not Iwakuma can be extended a qualifying offer and if he can, the M's may do that in case he decides to sign elsewhere. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported after the trade deadline that the Mariners are looking to sign Iwakuma to a one or two year deal.
Iwakuma pitched a great game for his no-hitter and he got some great defense from Kyle Seager in the top of the ninth inning. Iwakuma now joins Randy Johnson, Chris Bosio and Felix Hernandez as the only Mariners starters to throw a no-hitter. The team also has a combined no hitter from 2012 that saw Kevin Millwood and five relievers against the Dodgers.
Check here for more on Hisashi Iwakuma and the Mariners heading into the offseason.
