Vitamin SEA: Bullpen Blowup
Los Bomberos are starting more fires than they can put out
Everyone start freaking out right now!!!
Ok maybe take a breath. But there is trouble in paradise over here in the PNW.
The Mariners have a great rotation. One of the best in the league, actually. Each of them can usually give a solid 5-7 innings of great work. But then what.
The Mariners bullpen is in dire shape right now. One week ago, everything was great. Matt Brash was cruising with a 0.00 ERA, Andres Munoz was finding his feet, Gabe Spier was looking great, and Eduard Bazardo and Jose Ferrer rounded out a solid bullpen. Fast forward to now, Brash is hurt, Spier is hurt, Munoz is exploding, and my blood pressure is spiking.
Andres Munoz is not looking anything like himself this season. He has allowed 11 ER in 15 innings, and given up 3 HR, already passing his season total of 2 in 2025. After giving up a game-winning HR to Matt Olson two nights ago, Munoz was sat last night in the ninth inning in favor of Jose Ferrer, who pitched three nights in a row to fill the gaps.
Munoz has talked this season about his struggles already, and that his confidence took a big hit after the disastrous 5-run blown save against the Padres a few weeks ago. Munoz may not have the same confidence in his slider right now, the pitch that blew him up in San Diego. Whatever the case is, there is a clear and present issue at the closer role in Seattle right now, where historically the ninth inning has been rock solid.
With Brash and Spier on the IL for now, a lot of pressure falls onto the ready arms of Jose Ferrer and Eduard Bazardo. Bazardo has been an absolute rock for the Mariners since the start of last season, and it’s no different so far in 2026. A 1.62 ERA and 2.48 FIP is exactly what the Mariners can count on from 2025’s most dependable reliever. Ferrer has been a welcome addition this offseason despite some bad BABIP luck to start the year. Ferrer has been the workhorse, with 19 IP already, and maintains a 1.89 ERA. H even took over closer duties last night for the struggling Munoz. With the best arm in the pen off his game, and the next two on the IL, the work that these two men have and will keep having to put in is vital to the Mariners these next few weeks. But they are only two arms, and most of the other guys in the pen are rookies and journeymen just here to fill spots. But there is one other arm that bears weight in the bullpen.
Cooper Criswell was picked up from Boston this offseason, in what I labeled as a “good project guy”. He wasn’t anything special, but maybe the pitching staff could turn him into a bullpen staple. At the start of May, it might be working for Criswell already. A 2.20 ERA in 16.1 IP so far, almost matching his IP for all of 2025 already. With a 25.4% strikeout rate, Criswell has made himself the first or second guy off the bench in these slim bullpen times. The only real issue for him so far is the contact that he gives up. 3 HR, an average Exit Velo of 92.4 (his highest in 5 years) and a 52.5% hard hit rate are all concerning factors. When hitters do make contact off of Criswell, that contact is good. But the more he can strike batters out, the longer Criswell has a spot in the pen.
So some arms are still good for the Mariners. But 2.5 good pitchers does not make up a bullpen. It’s only a matter of time before Ferrer or Bazardo go down from all the work they are putting in already. A healthy Brash and Spier can relieve the pressure, but everyone really cares about one thing: is Andres Munoz going to figure it out soon? (please please please)
Go M’s,
Henry “Bazardo Fan Club Founding Member” Neiman