The Seattle Mariners have reached agreement on a two-year, guaranteed $10 million contract with free agent right-hander Steve Cishek to be their new closer, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reports. The deal is pending completion of a physical exam.
Cishek’s agreement includes incentives for games finished that could increase his overall payout to $17 million, a source also told Crasnick.
Cishek, 29, saved 88 games as the Marlins closer between 2012-2014, pitching 198.2 innings and striking out 226 with a 2.72 ERA.
He had a down year in 2015 and lost his closer role to A.J. Ramos before the Marlins traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals, but he finished the season very strong, posting a 2.31 ERA in 27 appearances for the Cards while salvaging his season and finishing with a 3.58 ERA.
The Mets were reportedly very interested in Cishek and had reached out to his reps along with a dozen other teams.
