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Seattle Mariners Offseason Signing Reportedly Retires Amid Disappointing Year
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- Seattle Mariners Offseason Signing Reportedly Retires Amid Disappointing Year
Rob Refsnyder , who the Seattle Mariners signed in the offseason with the hope of being one of the missing pieces to their offensive attack, was released last week amid an organizational shakeup.
With the Mariners attempting to get their season back on track, they released Refsnyder and veteran catcher Mitch Garver . The move didn't work as hoped, as Seattle has continued to scuffle. The M's are just 1-5 since the trade deadline, have lost four consecutive games, scoring just four runs in that time. They have fallen to a season-worst seven games under .500 at 56-63 and have dropped back to 4.5 games back in the American League West.
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Their once nearly-guaranteed playoff chances are down to 29.6 percent . Frankly, that number seems optimistic based on where the M's are at. They enter play on Tuesday with the fewest runs scored in baseball and the lowest batting average (.229).
Back to Refsnyder, it was reported on Monday that rather than elect to continue his career, he has decided to retire. Brian McTaggart, who covers the Houston Astros , said on social media on Monday that the Astros were close to a deal with Refsnyder, but that he "heard he retired instead."
About Refsnyder
Now 35 years old, Refsnyder was signed to a one-year deal worth $6.25 million last offseason. He was brought in, specifically, to hit left-handed pitching, but he failed to live up to his previous successes. In 53 games, Refsnyder hit just .140 in total with four home runs and 11 RBIs. He hit only .147 against left-handed pitching and he missed a month with injury.
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While the numbers were dreadful in Seattle, Refsnyder put together a solid back half of his career, specifically as a lefty masher. In four years with Boston before Seattle, he hit .276 with 27 home runs. He hit in the middle of the order against lefties and had production against southpaws that is on par with Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt .
Unfortunately, it never materialized that way in Seattle and Refsnyder is just one of many things to go sideways for the Mariners in this season.
He also played for the New York Yankees , Toronto Blue Jays , Tampa Bay Rays , Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins over 11 years.
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Rob Refsnyder (30) watches his two-run home run during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. William Liang-Imagn Images
Up next
The Mariners are back in action on Tuesday afternoon as they start a daunting road trip through the Yankees, Astros and Milwaukee Brewers . At the moment, those are three playoff teams and two possible World Series contenders.
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While those playoff hopes seem fleeting for the Mariners, they will have a chance this weekend to make a direct impact against the Astros. It's their last chance to make any impact on the rest of this season.
But they have to get through New York first, where they have won just one series since 2017.
Of note
The most recent 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast is out, featuring Lyle and TJ from the Marine Layer Podcast. You can listen here or you can watch in the YouTube player below.
