A year ago, as the MLB winter meetings approached, speculation was rampant about which Mariners starting pitcher might be traded to strengthen their offense. The question wasn’t if they would make a move, but who would be dealt.
At the time, however, the broader conversation didn’t fully account for the Mariners’ payroll limitations. Despite interest from nearly every MLB team in their talented rotation—especially right-handers Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo, all under multiple years of club control—Jerry Dipoto, the team’s president of baseball operations, and general manager Justin Hollander decided to keep the group intact. Their reasoning: Why weaken their greatest asset, the rotation, which was key to their success?
“Our pitching is how we’re built,” Dipoto explained.
That decision paid off. The Mariners’ rotation exceeded expectations, ranking as the best in Major League Baseball. Seattle’s starters led the league in ERA (3.38), innings pitched (942 2/3), quality starts (92), opponent batting average (.223), WHIP (1.03), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.77), fewest walks-per-9 innings (1.77), fewest hits-per-9 innings (7.53), opponent on-base percentage (.266), and opponent OPS (.644).
Yet, even with such dominance on the mound, the Mariners failed to make the playoffs. A single team strength, no matter how exceptional, can’t compensate for multiple other weaknesses.
Now, as the winter meetings approach again (Dec. 9-12), the Mariners face mounting speculation about their roster. With a projected lineup that appears lackluster and incomplete, questions arise: Will Dipoto finally trade one of his coveted starting pitchers to secure a middle-of-the-order infielder?
Dipoto and Hollander remain cautious about breaking up their rotation, but they acknowledge the need to entertain offers. Balancing potential trades with long-term payroll planning and rising arbitration costs will likely shape their approach this offseason.
Key number
The Mariners’ rotation, consisting of Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo, combined for 149 starts out of 162 games. The team relied on just seven starting pitchers all season, with Emerson Hancock making 12 starts and Jhonathan Diaz adding one. Despite using fewer starters than any other MLB team, the Mariners’ rotation led the league in innings pitched, logging an impressive 942 2/3 frames.
Key quote
“We’re not just trying to avoid it; trading a starting pitcher would be our absolute last resort, like Plan Z and then some. We could risk making things worse by overthinking our approach. Our strength lies in our pitching staff—I’m really proud of our rotation. It’s not our first choice, but we approach every offseason open to ideas that could improve the team.” — Jerry Dipoto on trading a starting pitcher
Key offseason question
Could the Mariners resort to Plan Z and end up trading a starting pitcher?
Overview
While the combined achievements of the Mariners’ pitchers are undeniably impressive, focusing solely on the collective success risks overshadowing their individual growth and milestones. A closer look at their personal accomplishments reveals their distinct contributions.
Logan Gilbert had a career-best season and was recognized as the Mariners’ most valuable pitcher by the local BBWAA writers. Leading MLB in innings pitched (208 2/3) and WHIP (0.887), Gilbert became the first Mariners pitcher to achieve these feats. With a 9-12 record, a 3.23 ERA, and 33 starts, he earned an All-Star selection and placed sixth in AL Cy Young voting. Gilbert also joined Felix Hernandez as the only Mariners pitchers since 2014 to pitch 200 innings and record 200 strikeouts in a season.
Luis Castillo, despite missing time late in the season due to a mild hamstring strain, made 30 starts and posted an 11-12 record with a 3.64 ERA. In 175 1/3 innings, he struck out 175 batters, issued 47 walks, and had a 1.17 WHIP. While not as dominant as in 2023, Castillo still delivered 18 quality starts.
George Kirby had a strong campaign, making 33 starts with a 14-11 record and a 3.53 ERA over 191 innings. He set career highs in wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts (179) while maintaining remarkable control with just 23 walks. Kirby led MLB with the lowest walks per nine innings (1.1) and recorded 20 quality starts for the second consecutive year.
Bryce Miller excelled in his sophomore season, making 31 starts with a 12-8 record and a 2.94 ERA. He struck out 171 batters in 180 1/3 innings while posting a 0.976 WHIP. His offseason adjustments, including adding a splitter, paid off as he became just the second Mariners pitcher alongside Felix Hernandez to achieve a sub-3.00 ERA and sub-1.00 WHIP in a season.
Bryan Woo overcame early injuries to deliver a stellar performance. In 22 starts, he posted a 9-3 record with a 2.89 ERA and a 0.898 WHIP. Woo allowed two earned runs or fewer in 15 of his starts and led MLB with a first-strike rate of 72.9%, the highest since tracking began in 1988 (minimum 120 innings).
With such a strong rotation, the Mariners have little incentive to trade any of their starters. However, if a vacancy arises, prospects like Emerson Hancock, who went 4-4 with a 4.75 ERA in 12 starts, could fill the role. While Hancock lacks the dominant stuff of the current rotation, he has shown he can handle the demands of an MLB No. 5 starter.
Other prospects like Michael Garcia and Ian Evans could also compete for opportunities. Evans posted a 3.20 ERA across 22 starts and 10 relief appearances at Double-A, while Garcia excelled at High-A and Double-A, with a combined ERA under 2.50. Both offer depth, with Garcia possibly transitioning to a relief role while remaining stretched out as a starter.
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