5 second-tier starters who could help contenders
By Tim Haberin
Hisashi Iwakuma
Jul 23, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
With the Seattle Mariners continuing to fade from the playoff picture, they will likely consider dealing away some pieces before the deadline. Starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma could be one of them. His contract expires after the season, and he has accumulated a fairly impressive resume in his three and a half seasons since coming over from Japan.
Iwakuma got off to a rough start this year and missed over two months with a right lat strain. However, he has performed much more like himself since returning in early July. In four starts since being activated from the DL on July 6, Iwakuma has posted a 3.16 ERA in 25.2 innings of work, walking only four and striking out 21 in that span.
The 34-year-old veteran could be a surprisingly potent addition for teams in need of rotation help. He is still only two years removed from an All-Star campaign in which he put up a 2.66 ERA and finished third in AL Cy Young voting. If he remains healthy, Iwakuma should enjoy a strong final two months as he enters free agency.
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