Most Mariners fans clamored for Dipoto to add a starting pitcher. Instead, Dipoto added to the back-end of his bullpen, when he signed Juan Nicasio to a 2 year deal in December.
Nicasio, the 31-year-old former starter, had a breakout seasons of sort for the Pirates, Phillies, and Cardinals in 2017. In 72.1 innings, Nicasio posted a 2.61 ERA, a 2.98 FIP, with a 8.96 K/9 rate. Nicasio also showed good control in 2017(2.49 BB/9), after walks plagued him for most of his career.
Early reports out of camp are interesting. It is said that Edwin Diaz and Nicasio have been attached at the hip early in camp.