Mariners Secure Cooper Criswell in Key Acquisition
The Seattle Mariners have officially acquired right-handed pitcher Cooper Criswell from the New York Mets for cash considerations. This transaction follows the Mets’ recent acquisition of Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers from the Milwaukee Brewers, which led to Criswell being designated for assignment.
Mariners’ Strategic Move for Cooper Criswell
As part of this acquisition, left-hander Jhonathan Díaz has also been designated for assignment by the Mariners, allowing for Criswell’s addition to the roster. ESPN’s Jorge Castillo and Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times initially reported on this pivotal deal.
Profile of Cooper Criswell
Cooper Criswell, aged 29, brings a solid reputation as a reliable swingman or back-end starter. His most notable performance came in 2024 with the Boston Red Sox. During that season, Criswell pitched 99.1 innings across 18 starts and eight relief appearances, with an earned run average of 4.08.
- Strikeout Rate: 17.2%
- Walk Rate: 7.2%
- Ground Ball Rate: 50.3%
Despite a promising year, Criswell found himself pushed down the Red Sox depth chart in 2025 due to the team’s acquisitions of Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Lucas Giolito’s return from injury. Consequently, he made only seven big league appearances last year.
Triple-A Performance
Most of the 2025 season saw Criswell in Triple-A, where he delivered 65.2 innings. His minor league statistics included a 3.70 ERA, 24.5% strikeout rate, and 10.1% walk rate, alongside a 49.4% ground ball rate.
Contract and Future Prospects
Criswell’s future with the Mariners includes a contract agreement made in November, which ensures him $800,000 in 2026. This amount is slightly above the 2026 minimum salary of $780,000. The contract aims to discourage other teams from claiming him via waivers, while also making it less appealing for him to pursue free agency.
Since Criswell has less than five years of Major League Baseball service time, he faces a challenging decision if he desires to refuse further outright assignments. This will require him to forego a guaranteed salary, adding intrigue to his continuing career in Seattle.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Criswell enters this new chapter with the Mariners, hoping to solidify his place within the organization.
