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.

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.

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.