The Seattle Mariners declined the option on Kyle Seager's contract for the 2022 season, making the veteran third baseman a free agent for the first time in his career. Seager was due to make $20 million if kept on the Mariners' roster this coming season, but instead was paid a $2 million buyout from the organization, who informed him of the decision via an email. Well, rather than look to continue his career in greener pastures, the 34-year-old has instead decided to call it a career, officially announcing his decision to retire on Wednesday, via FOX Sports MLB.
Kyle Seager has announced his retirement. pic.twitter.com/JMwE3KtHIu
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 29, 2021
While it was clear that Seager wouldn't be back in a Mariners uniform in 2022, the decision for him to retire was a major surprise. It's unknown whether the current MLB lockout had any impact on his decision to hang up the cleats, as free agents are currently unable to hold talks with MLB organizations until the lockout concludes.
Seager played his entire career for the Mariners, spending 11 years manning the hot corner for the organization. He had a solid season in 2021. While he recorded a career-worst .212 batting average, Seager still managed to club a career-high 35 home runs and drive in 101 RBI across 159 games. His durability over his decade-plus with the Mariners has been incredible. The third baseman played in at least 150 games in all but three of his years with the club, including his rookie season and the 60-game season in 2020 (during which he featured in all 60 games).
The veteran slugger strung together a career slash line of .251/.321/.763 with 242 home runs, 807 RBI, and 1,395 hits across 1,480 games for the club. He had an incredible career in Seattle, and will go down as a franchise great.
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