Faced with the need of acquiring starting pitching, the Seattle Mariners have acquired starting pitcher Chris Heston from the San Francisco Giants in return for a player to be named later.
Heston, age 28, had pitched in a total of 38 games over three seasons for the Giants. In those appearances, Heston posted a 13-12 win-loss record and an earned run average of 4.16.
Heston is best known for his 2015 season, which saw him start 31 games, winning 12 and losing 11 of those. In the same season, he had a career-best ERA of 3.95, leading his way towards a WAR of 1.1. Heston also pitched a no-hitter in that same season. Most recently in 2016, Heston pitched just five innings and allowed six earned runs.
After the signings of Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija in December of last year, Heston fell down the depth chart with the Giants. His spot in the major-league rotation was taken over by Matt Cain and Ty Blach and his minor league spot was taken over by Albert Suarez and Tyler Beede. The acquisition of Matt Moore during the trade deadline sealed Heston’s fate.
The hope for the Mariners is that Heston, whose 2016 season ended in an oblique injury, can regain his early 2015 form, which saw him go 9-5 with an ERA of 3.39. Though Heston’s rotation spot is not sealed with the Mariners, he should have a very good shot at earning a spot at the bottom of Seattle’s rotation.
To make room for Heston, the Mariners have designated Richie Shaffer for assignment.
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