Earlier this week, it was announced that Sam Tuivailala had cleared waivers and was officially named a free agent. This came just days after the Mariners and GM Jerry Dipoto decided to place the right-handed pitcher on outright release waivers, a move that was surprising, to say the least.
But despite the time that has elapsed, we are still no closer to understanding the perplexing move. Tuivailala was the team’s best and most consistent reliever in 2020. He missed about half the year rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon. But despite appearing in just 23 games, Tuivailala produced a 0.