Report: Mariners decline Seager's 2022 option
Kyle Seager's tenure with the Seattle Mariners appears to be over.
The Mariners informed the longtime third baseman Thursday that they won't be exercising the $20-million option on his contract for 2022, sources told the Seattle Times' Ryan Divish. Mariners assistant general manager Justin Hollander reportedly notified Seager of the team's decision via email.
Mariners sources say the email from Assistant GM Justin Hollander is a formality in the process of notification and that GM Jerry Dipoto tried to contact Seager on Wednesday and instead notified his reps at Jet Sports. https://t.co/fgkreYPrSx
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) October 31, 2021
Instead, the 33-year-old infielder will receive a $2-million buyout and become a free agent.
The reported move isn't surprising. Seager admitted earlier this month he felt uncertain about his future in Seattle. He also said he hadn't spoken to GM Jerry Dipoto in "probably four years."
Seager appeared in 159 games for the Mariners in 2021, hitting .212/.285/.438 with career highs in home runs (35) and RBIs (101). Fans gave him a standing ovation during the team's final game of the season at T-Mobile Park.
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) October 3, 2021
The Charlotte, North Carolina, native owns a .251/.321/.442 slash line with 242 homers and 807 RBIs across 11 seasons with the Mariners. He was an All-Star and won a Gold Glove in 2014.