Mariners Sign Former Cubs Pitcher Carl Edwards Jr.
By Michael Luciano
Another familiar name is off the market in the early going of the MLB offseason.
The Seattle Mariners picked up hard-throwing right-hander Carl Edwards Jr., who spent last season with the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres.
Mariners have an agreement with former Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr., per source. He passed physical yesterday and deal expected to be announced soon. Was very good for Cubs in 2017-18 before struggling last year and being dealt to Padres.
— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) November 27, 2019
Edwards won a ring with the Cubs in 2016, a year in which he had a 3.75 ERA in 36 games. Edwards had a sub-3.00 ERA in 2017 and 2018, but gave up 16 runs in 17 innings this season.
Edwards has always had a problem with control, as he has walked 100 batters in 176 innings throughout his career. Even with his triple-digit fastball and sharp curveball, consistency has been his biggest enemy in his major league career.
Mariners To Sign Carl Edwards Jr. https://t.co/Qh2vbXT8p4 pic.twitter.com/oj1vWr51js
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 27, 2019
Edwards always had the stuff to become an elite reliever, but could never find the strike zone consistently enough to establish himself. Hopefully the Mariners can reign in this wild bronco of a pitcher and turn him into a trusted late-inning option.