Seattle Mariners Bolster Bullpen with Caleb Ferguson
The Seattle Mariners have finalized a deal to acquire left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson from the Pittsburgh Pirates, seeking to strengthen their bullpen for the final innings of games.
In exchange for Ferguson, who is in his final year of his contract, the Pirates will receive young minor league right-handed pitcher Jeter Martinez, 19 years old.
Ferguson, 29, has proven to be an effective pitcher. In 45 appearances with the Pirates, he recorded an ERA of 3.74 and a WHIP of 1.09. In 43 1/3 innings, he struck out 34 batters and conceded 14 walks. Opposing left-handed hitters barely managed a .167/.257/.182 average against him this season.
With a mostly ground ball pitcher trajectory, Ferguson has maintained an ERA of 3.55 in 212 appearances with the Dodgers, Astros, Yankees and Pirates since his return after a second Tommy John surgery in 2022. The Mariners will assume the pro-rated portion of his $3 million salary for 2025.
Ferguson is expected to join the Mariners’ bullpen, which already includes Matt Brash and Andres Munoz.
The Mariners, who compete in the American League West, previously negotiated the arrival of first baseman Josh Naylor and are still looking to add another reliever for the final innings and a third baseman.
Martinez, from Mexico, is 6 feet 4 inches tall and had a 6.18 ERA in 16 starts with the Mariners’ Class A team.
