SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Logan Gilbert #36 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after striking out Vaughn Grissom #5 of the Los Angeles Angels (not pictured) for his 200th strikeout of the season during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on September 27, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images) Getty
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 18: General manager Jerry Dipoto of the Seattle Mariners looks on during batting practice at T-Mobile Park on July 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Getty
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert finds himself on a list of top trade candidates throughout all of the MLB. With the organization in need of position players, they may finally trade from their starting rotation this offseason. At the MLB Trade Deadline, pitchers George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and Emerson Hancock were all shopped around. However, a deal did not materialize obviously as all three remain on the roster. Perhaps that means Gilbert could be the one to fetch the best prize for the Mariners especially as he enters the final year of his contract.
However, reports from earlier this year indicated that the Seattle Mariners began contract negotiations with Gilbert and his camp. Yet, the offer was not sufficient enough for the Opening Day starter. Gilbert also has a great relationship with former MVP-runner up Cal Raleigh. The motivation from the front office seems to still focus on getting an extension done.
If the Seattle Mariners do not extend Gilbert though, it seems apparent that they will trade him before he hits free agency next offseason. The Mariners then could acquire a young bat and even other prospects in a potential trade. Gilbert will undoubtedly be one of the most sought after pitchers this winter.
In six seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Gilbert became one of the best starting pitchers in franchise history.
Since his MLB debut in 2021, Gilbert has a career 3.6 earned run average and 1089 strikeouts, which ranks fourth in franchise history. He was also named as one of the 50 greatest Mariners of all time earlier this season as the Mariners celebrated their 50th anniversary. Given his status as one of the greatest Mariners, the cost for Gilbert should not be understated.
CBS's Dayn Perry writes, "For years now, it seems, we've been waiting for the Mariners to trade from their surfeit of starting pitching. They moved Luis Castillo at the deadline, but perhaps this time, they finally flip one of their big guns. Gilbert, 29, will be a pending free agent in 2027, which straightaway makes him a trade candidate for a Mariners club that's more averse to spending than they should be. He's an attractive one, too, as Gilbert has been a reliable source of innings over his career to date, and he also boasts a 3.58 FIP and a sparkling 5.14 K/BB ratio over the last four seasons."
He names the New York Mets , the Atlanta Braves, the Baltimore Orioles, the Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago White Sox as potential trade destinations. That being said, he only gives the Mariners a 45% chance of actually moving Gilbert to another team.
Dipoto's front office drafted Gilbert in the first round of the 2018 draft, and it seems unlikely he will be willing to let him leave the Mariners organization.
The Seattle Mariners preach about how they want to draft, develop, and keep their key players in the organization. Thus far, they've stayed true to that mantra by extending players like Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, and Colt Emerson. Yet, with the team in a position to win now, they may have to make a move they simply do not want to make. A Gilbert trade would represent a massive alteration in how the organization want to build their team. Although, this could be the consequence of failing to capitalize on a fantastic playoff run in 2025 and the complacency of the franchise in the year to follow.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
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