Height
6'6"
Weight
200 lbs
Age
29
College
North Carolina
Experience
5 yrs
Bats/Throws
R/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsD+
| Year | Team | GP | ERA | W-L | K | WHIP | IP | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 47 | 4.42437 | 8-7 | 119 | 1.4243697 | 0.0 | 2 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
Total Value
$800K
Guaranteed
$480K
AAV
$800K/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
Cooper Criswell's one-year, $0.8M deal with the Mariners earns an A+ CVI, representing exceptional value for a serviceable starter who can provide meaningful innings in multiple roles. At just $800K, Seattle is getting a pitcher who projects as a back-of-rotation starter or high-leverage reliever at essentially minimum wage — the kind of low-risk, high-upside signing that championship contenders need to maximize payroll efficiency. Criswell's versatility as someone who can spot start or work meaningful relief innings makes him particularly valuable for a Mariners team looking to optimize their competitive window without breaking the bank on middle-tier arms. The deal allows Seattle to allocate resources elsewhere while maintaining rotation depth, and if Criswell performs near his ceiling, they'll have secured 1-2 WAR production for pennies on the dollar. This is textbook roster construction: finding serviceable MLB talent at replacement-level prices, giving the front office flexibility to pursue impact players at premium positions. The one-year term also provides Seattle with a clean exit strategy while potentially setting up a more lucrative extension if Criswell exceeds expectations in the Pacific Northwest.
Fan & Media Sentiment
Cooper Criswell's arrival in Seattle has generated the kind of cautious optimism typically reserved for depth acquisitions that might surprise — media coverage frames him as a serviceable arm competing for rotation spots rather than a difference-maker, which aligns perfectly with fan expectations that hover somewhere between hopeful and realistic. The sentiment stems largely from his transition period after the trade from New York, where organizational uncertainty about his role has created a "wait-and-see" narrative focused on spring competition rather than any star-level projection. His B- sentiment grade actually outpaces his middling on-field production, suggesting the Mariners' reputation for developing pitching talent has given Criswell a slight perception boost beyond what his current performance merits. For the narrative to shift meaningfully, he'd need to either lock down a consistent rotation spot or excel in a defined bullpen role — right now, the "roster bubble" storyline keeps expectations measured. The public perception sits in that comfortable middle ground where a solid depth pitcher should be: appreciated for organizational value but not overhyped, with just enough optimism to keep fans intrigued about his potential contribution to Seattle's pitching staff.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, 4/7 | @ TEX | L 1-2 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
Transaction History
News & Buzz
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