SEATTLE — On Nov. 30, the Mariners announced the signing of reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray to a five-year, $115 million contract.
On Dec. 1, the Mariners introduced Ray with great fanfare at a T-Mobile Park news conference, with a beaming general manager Jerry Dipoto calling it "a great day for the Mariners."
On Dec. 2, Major League Baseball grinded to a screeching halt when negotiations with the MLB Players Association broke down, leading the owners to instigate a lockout.
