The Mariners still hope to make at least one big hit between now and Opening Day, but Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times suggests they’re reluctant to deal anyone on their major league roster to make it happen. Divish writes that the M’s are willing to move top prospects Jurrangelo Cijntje in the Cardinals infielder’s pocket Brendan Donovan but they are less inclined to trade anyone on the big league roster to get him. He added that president of baseball ops Jerry Dipoto and GM Justin Hollander have both been “resolute” about not wanting to trade a known major league starter as they look to strengthen the system.
The same approach as that taken by Dipoto, Hollander & Co. last season. In the winter of 2024-25, the Mariners pursued several big-ticket trades but found many clubs with players available in trades looking for minor leaguers — not the top prospects that extend the top of Seattle’s farm system. There are pure rebuilding clubs this winter, at least on paper, but the Cardinals have prioritized an MLB-friendly focus on trades. Sonny Gray (Richard Fitts) and Wilson Contreras (Hunter Dobbins). The D-backs are reportedly looking to add a major league raise (potentially multiple turnovers) to any deal for the infielder. Ketel Marte.
Although Seattle’s roster is deep in top prospects – the M’s had eight players on Baseball America’s end-of-season top 100 prospects list, though they have since traded. Harry Ford – the real depth beyond the major league rotation is very slim. Each of the Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo again George Kirby start at least 23 games in 2025. All went well – Kirby had a couple rough trips but was very strong – but only Castillo made it while avoiding an IL stint. Bryce Miller missed more than half the season with elbow inflammation. The options beyond that pair aren’t that encouraging.
Emerson Hancock he is a former number 6 but spent the last half of the season as a reliever. He’ll enter camp as a starter but is considered more of a fifth-round pick than expected based on that high draft payout. He will turn 27 in May and has a career 4.81 ERA with a 15.6% strikeout rate in 162 MLB innings. It is twenty-four years old Logan Evans he threw 81 1/3 innings with a 4.32 ERA as a rookie this past season and briefly drew a top 100 hitter before his promotion to the majors. Like Hancock, he struggled to miss at bats in the big leagues (16.9 K%, 7.8% swing rate). He was also hit hard in 11 Triple-A starts last year.
Options for depth beyond those seven are slim. Jonathan Diaz again Blas Castano they are both on the 40 man roster but of course in their late 20’s with no MLB record to speak of. The Mariners have several notable pitching prospects, including Cijntje, Ryan Sloan and 2025 No. 3 perfect choices Late Anderson. Cijntje has all seven Double-A starts under his belt, however, and may need more time to develop than more opportunities given his status as a rare change-up pitcher. Sloan never pitched above A ball. Anderson did not seek out the Mariners organization after last summer’s draft. The previous prospects are the same Taylor Dollard again Michael Morales was not selected in this year’s Rule 5 Draft despite being eligible. The former has had injury problems. The latter was hit hard and had just a 16% strikeout rate in Double-A this season.
The Mariners could certainly address their rotation to improve the lineup and rebound with a low-cost free agent signing, but it’s understandable if the front office is at all reluctant to risk the team’s depth, given the faltering performances of Miller, Hancock and (to a lesser extent) Evans in 2025. If there is, one may file an argument in the current group. signing/acquiring optional depth or a swingman/sixth starter to plug into a long relief role to start the year.
