Mariners, Ray agree to 5-year, $115M deal
The Seattle Mariners and reigning American League Cy Young award winner Robbie Ray agreed to a five-year, $115-million deal with an opt-out clause after the third season.
.@RobbieRay is coming to Seattle!
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) December 1, 2021
We’ve signed the 2021 AL Cy Young Award winner to a five-year contract. #SeaUsRise pic.twitter.com/PhxWDIDoay
Ray has a full no-trade clause in the first two years of the contract and an assignment bonus after two years if he's dealt, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Ray is a year younger than Gausman and coming off a Cy Young win, so thought after Gausman got 5-$110M that Ray would get a sixth guaranteed year. Instead, gets $1M more on average per season.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 29, 2021
The 30-year-old wasn't expected to sign before the collective bargaining agreement expired, but the Mariners made a strong push.
Seattle will lose its third-highest draft pick in 2022 once it completes the Ray signing since the Toronto Blue Jays tendered him a qualifying offer.
The Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Angels were also reportedly pursuing the left-hander in free agency.
Ray led the AL in ERA (2.84), innings pitched (193 1/3), and WHIP (1.04) last season while pitching for the Blue Jays. He recorded an MLB-best 248 strikeouts.
The addition of Ray should help a Mariners starting rotation that finished 22nd in the majors with a 7.3 fWAR in 2021.