As expected, Hisashi Iwakuma has rejected the Mariners' $15.8 million qualifying offer and is now a free agent eligible to sign with any team.
General manager Jerry Dipoto has called bringing back Iwakuma a priority, but the Mariners will have competition in signing him. The Tigers are one team that has expressed interest in Iwakuma, who is reported to be looking for a three-year deal.
Iwakuma has gone 47-25 with a 3.17 ERA in his four seasons with the Mariners. He finished third in the Cy Young Award voting in 2013, when he pitched a career-high 219.