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AL Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray was stellar in 2021, mostly on the strength of getting his walks under control. His 2.42 BB/9 was a career-best, as was his 15.5% swinging strike rate (and that contributed to a wicked 32.1% strikeout rate). He now leaves homer-happy Toronto (7th in MLB’s home run park factor) for a more pitcher-friendly venue in Seattle (21st in MLB’s park factor).
Furthermore, Buffalo (2nd in runs park factor) was on the opposite end from Seattle (30th). That’s quite a boost on its face, one Ray may not even need given last year’s filthiness.
Here are the contract details:
Reigning AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray and the Seattle Mariners are finalizing a five-year, $115 million contract with an opt-out after the third season, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 29, 2021
So Ray gets a boost from a park standpoint, and the offense of Seattle may be a lot more formidable than you think given the impending youth movement. Mitch Haniger headlines a group that includes upside bats in the form of Ty France, Kyle Lewis, Jarred Kelenic, Abraham Toro, and the impending promotion of phenom Julio Rodriguez at some point (hopefully sooner rather than later). I’ll be all over Ray at his current ADP of 46 per the NFBC—but lets stay tuned and see if that rises much given his new park environs.