The Seattle Mariners are interested in free agent closers Grant Balfour and Brian Wilson, reports Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
MLB free agent rumors: Mariners pursuing Grant Balfour, Brian Wilson
Seattle is looking to sign a proven closer during the offseason.
Leon Halip
The Mariners used Danny Farquhar and Tom Wilhelmsen in the closer's role during 2013. Both pitcher had ERA's greater than 4.00 and combined to blow nine saves on the season. Wilhelmsen battled his command for most of the season (5.03 BB/9) , but Farquhar did show an impressive ability to miss bats (12.77 K/9).
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Balfour and Wilson both have longer track record's of success in the closer role than the incumbents. Balfour saved 62 games for the Oakland Athletics over the past two seasons, earning a 2013 All-Star appearance. The right-hander owns a career 3.27 ERA over 463 relief appearances.
Wilson missed most of 2013 recovering from Tommy John surgery, but signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers late in the season, serving as a set-up man for Los Angeles during the postseason. He closed games for the San Francisco Giants from 2008-2011, racking up 163 saves over four seasons.
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