Wisler, Bass claimed; Broxton, Healy are FAs
SEATTLE -- Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto made four more minor roster movers on Tuesday, looking to shape his 40-man group for the impending offseason.
Reliever Matt Wisler was claimed off waivers by the Twins, and Anthony Bass was scooped up by the Blue Jays. Additionally, outfielder Keon Broxton cleared waivers and declined his option to Triple-A Tacoma, making him a pending free agent.
A fourth player, infielder Ryon Healy, has also elected to pursue Major League free agency after clearing waivers and being outrighted to Triple-A on Monday.
The moves open three spots on the 40-man roster, which now sits at 37. Healy wasn't on the 40-man roster, as he was outrighted after spending the past four months on the 60-day injured list.
The Mariners should gain two more roster spots later this week when Felix Hernandez and Tommy Milone become free agents on the day after the World Series ends, with Wade LeBlanc also headed to free agency, presuming Seattle doesn't pick up the $5 million option on his contract for 2020.
Bass is the only surprise among the players outrighted Tuesday as the 31-year-old right-hander posted a 3.56 ERA in 48 innings over 44 appearances and had five saves while sharing closer duties in the final two months.
But Bass -- like Broxton and Wisler -- will be arbitration-eligible this winter, and the Mariners avoid entering that process by moving them off the 40-man roster. Bass is entering his final year of arbitration and was projected to earn about $1.7 million by mlbtraderumors.com.
Broxton, 29, is entering his first year of arbitration and was projected to earn about $1.3 million. The Florida native is an outstanding defender, but hit just .115/.238/.231 with two homers and five RBIs in 63 plate appearances in 29 games after being claimed off waivers from the Orioles in late July.
Wisler, 27, also is in his first year of arbitration eligibility and was projected to earn about $1 million. With Seattle, he posted a 6.04 ERA in 23 games, including eight starts as an opener, while throwing 22 1/3 innings after being acquired from the Padres in a cash deal on July 4.
Healy is expected to take his shot on the open free-agent market, which begins five days after the World Series concludes. He missed the final four months of the season with back issues and then had right hip surgery in August, but he said his expectation now is to be ready to work out fully by Jan. 1 and come prepared for Spring Training in mid-February.