Mariners exercise Andres Munoz's 2027 option, decline two others

Sep 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Andres Munoz (75) pitches in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images The Seattle Mariners exercised their $9 million club option for 2027 on closer Andres Munoz on Thursday after the right-hander's toughest season with the club. Munoz recorded 28 saves, but his 10 blown saves tied for most in the majors and he had a career-worst 4.24 ERA in 61 relief appearances for Seattle. His previous full-season ERAs since joining the Mariners were 2.49 in 2022, 2.94 in 2023, 2.12 in 2024 and 1.73 in 2025. A two-time All-Star, the 27-year-old Munoz has 105 saves to go with a 17-28 record and 2.67 ERA in 302 appearances for the Mariners. He was acquired from the San Diego Padres in a trade during the 2020 season. Seattle declined options on right-hander Bryce Miller and outfielder Victor Robles and claimed outfielder Grant McCray off waivers from the San Francisco Giants. The Mariners turned down Miller's $6.075 million option, but he remains under club control through 2029. He is eligible for salary arbitration. He went 4-10 with a 4.17 ERA in 22 appearances (21 starts) this season. Miller, 28, is 8-16 the past two seasons after going 20-15 over his first two big-league campaigns. He has a 4.04 ERA to go with a 28-31 record in 95 starts and one relief appearance for Seattle. Robles, 29, will receive a $500,000 buyout after the Mariners declined his $9 million option. He batted .256 with no homers and nine RBIs in 65 games. Robles spent the past 2 1/2 seasons with Seattle after being released by the Washington Nationals in June 2024. Robles joins outfielders Randy Arozarena and Taylor Ward, shortstop J.P. Crawford and left-handed reliever Hoby Milner as Mariners free agents. McCray, 25, batted .143 with two homers and four RBIs in 43 games with San Francisco this season. He has a .170 average with seven homers and 16 RBIs in 102 career games over parts of three seasons. --Field Level Media