Mariners continue roster remake. Pitchers Ramirez, Vincent are now free agents; Herrmann claimed by Astros

The Seattle Mariners outrighted two pitchers off their 40-man roster and both have elected to become free agents.

One is right-handed starter Erasmo Ramirez and the other is bullpen staple Nick Vincent, and later Friday afternoon they announced that the Houston Astros claimed catcher Chris Herrmann off of waivers.

Ramirez, Vincent and Herrmann combined to make about $7.5 million this past season and each were under club control until 2020. But the Mariners were able to clear space on their 40-man roster, which is now at 32 players, by sending each to waivers and likely a higher salary chunk than that $7.5 million.

Ramirez made $4.2 million this season, Vincent made $2.8 million and Herrmann $537,992. Ramirez and Vincent seem more of an indication that the Mariners believe they can spend those dollars better elsewhere, but they were likely trying to sneak Herrmann through waivers to outright him to the minor leagues.

Ramirez went 2-4 with a 6.50 ERA in 10 starts for the Mariners this past season, with his season shortened by two trips to the disabled with a strained lat muscle and right Teres Major strain.

Ramirez returned to the Mariners in 2017 following a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. In 11 starts with Seattle he had a 3.92 ERA, giving him a shot to open in the Mariners’ rotation out of spring training this year before his lat injury.

Vincent, 32, had a 3.99 ERA in 62 appearances this past season and made one start as an “opener.” He had 15 holds for the third consecutive season, making him one of 15 pitchers in baseball with at least that many each season 2016.

Before that he spent seven seasons with the Padres.

Herrmann, the left-handed catcher who could also play some first base and outfield, went from Triple-A Tacoma pickup just after spring training from the Diamondbacks to the Mariners’ primary backup behind Mike Zunino.

The Mariners’ remaining arbitration-eligible players are relievers Alex Colome, Roenis Elias, starter James Paxton and catcher Mike Zunino.

Their free agents off the 40-man: Nelson Cruz, Denard Span, David Phelps, Cameron Maybin, Adam Warren, Zach Duke, Andrew Romine and Gordon Beckham to go now with Ramirez and Vincent.

This story was originally published November 2, 2018 at 12:42 PM.