Iwakuma: Mariners moved quick after LA deal fell through
Hisashi Iwakuma said he's back where he belongs - even if it took a botched deal to realize it.
Iwakuma was re-introduced by the Seattle Mariners on Friday, nearly four years since his arrival from Japan, and one day after reports broke that his three-year, $45-million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers was in jeopardy.
Multiple reports claim the tentative agreement fell through after the Dodgers reviewed his medical records, though it's unclear if he failed his physical, as reported by a media outlet in Japan. Either way, the Mariners sound unconcerned.
"We are very confident with his physical condition," said assistant general manager Jeff Kingston, noting the club was satisfied with Iwakuma's exit physical before extending him a $15.8-million qualifying offer last month.
The deal - which includes two vesting options, $12 million in guaranteed salary, and a full no-trade clause - reunites Iwakuma with the only franchise he's ever played for. The right-hander insisted Friday he's healthy and happy to return.
"I felt love, passion, and needed to be here more than anything else, and that's why I'm here," he said.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
Iwakuma said after going through a physical with the Dodgers earlier this week, the team indicated it wanted to ''renegotiate'' the originally agreed upon terms. That's when the Mariners made their move.
"(They) called me right away and we were always connected," he said.
Iwakuma, who turns 35 in April, received a $1-million signing bonus and $10-million salary for 2016. The Mariners hold club options for 2017 and 2018, both of which include $1-million buyouts if either's declined.
Iwakuma's 2017 option would become guaranteed at $14 million if he reaches 162 innings next season, and the second option vests at $15 million if he pitches 162 innings in 2017 or 324 combined in both years. The deal also includes bonuses for innings pitched that can raise the value of the contract to nearly $45 million.
- With files from The Associated Press