David Aardsma is a Free Agent

Former Seattle Mariner closer David Aardsma cleared waivers on Monday and has become a free agent. The Mariners did not want to go to arbitration where they would stand to owe Aardsma around $3.6 million, 80% of his $4.5 million 2011 salary. The fact that he won’t be able to pitch until midseason made this a no brainer.

From 2009 to 2010, Aardsma saved 69 games for the Mariners but was injured for all of the 2011 season. In a span of seven months the M’s reliever underwent two separate surgeries: one for his hip and Tommy John surgery in July.

Brandon League took over as the Mariner closer and filled in fairly well posting a 2.79 era and collecting 37 saves. League made the AL All Star team.

Whether Aardsma resigns with the club or not, he stands to be one of the most successful trades of Jack Zduriencik’s tenure so far, coming in a deal with the Boston Red Sox in 2009 for minor league reliever Fabian Williamson

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Paul Novak

Editor at Seattle Sports Central

I’ve been a huge fan of the Seahawks and Mariners since childhood. Raised in downtown Seattle just minutes from the sports heaven that was the Kingdome. I remember seeing the dust spread over the city from my apartment window when they blew it up. I swear a single tear rolled down my face as I watched. The day either team wins it all will be the day I can die a happy man. Go Hawks!

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