Chicago Cubs Re-Acquire Player From Seattle Mariners

Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. The Seattle Mariners took a chance on big 6'7" right-hander Chris Clarke in the December Rule 5 Draft, claiming him from the Chicago Cubs. But after watching him through the spring, the M's have decided to send him back to the Windy City.

RHP Chris Clarke, a Rule 5 pick by the Mariners, has been returned to the Cubs. He made seven relief appearances this spring with a 5.40 ERA. He was a fourth-round pick out of USC by the Cubs in 2019.

— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) March 26, 2023

As a Rule 5 pick, Clarke would have had to spend the entire season on the Mariners' roster, and for a team will grand playoff hopes, they obviously realized they couldn't afford that luxury. 

Clarke, 24, was a fourth-round draft choice for the Cubs in 2019. He's produced a 4.26 ERA in the minors over the past three years, with a very elite walk rate of just 1.9 BB per nine innings. Along with an 8.5 K/9 rate, that's some nice control. In addition, his ERA last season at Double-A (5.40) was likely impacted by a very unlucky .375 BABIP (batting average on balls in play). 

But having not pitched above Double-A, he just didn't show enough in spring for the Mariners to keep him around. In 6.2 innings, he allowed eight hits and four earned runs for a 5.40 ERA. 

He'll now head back to the Cubs, who also make $50,000 on the transaction. 

Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports