Seattle Mariners Appear Unlikely to Trade a Young Starting Pitcher, But Could They Move Veteran Ace?

According to Ken Rosenthal of 'The Athletic,' the Seattle Mariners appear unlikely to deal from their treasure trove of young starting pitching. But could they perhaps deal from their veteran pitching core?

According to MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal of 'The Athletic,' the Seattle Mariners appear unwilling to move any of their young starting pitchers, despite their need to acquire offense.

Per Rosenthal:

One rival executive interested in starting pitching speculated Thursday that the Mariners’ seeming reluctance to trade one of their young pitchers stems from their own RSN concerns.

The Mariners have spent the early part of the offseason creating payroll flexibility. From that perspective alone, it would make little sense for them to trade a minimum-salary starter such as Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo. But finances are not the only reason they are disinclined to make such a deal.

The free-agent prices this offseason reinforce that young, controllable starters are the game’s most treasured commodity. If righty Seth Lugo can command a three-year, $45 million deal at 34, after his first season as a full-time starter, then the return for six years of either Miller or Woo should be sizable, to say the least.

So here's where the Mariners are at.... because of financial concerns, they can't swim in the waters of the most expensive free agent hitters. And because of financial concerns, they are at least partially unwilling to trade from their greatest strength in order to acquire an offensive piece.

So how exactly do the Mariners plan to make up ground in the crowded American League playoff race after missing the playoffs by one game?

I guess there's one answer that M's fans are not going to like: They could trade Luis Castillo. The 31-year-old ace is under contract through 2027 at approximately $22 million per year. He's got about $86 million left on his deal. Trading him would allow the M's to continue shedding payroll while also maybe getting a bat or two that they need.

Given the need for starting pitching around the league, the M's may be able to get a big return here. It would be unpopular, as it would leave the M's with a likely rotation of George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Woo, Miller and Emerson Hancock, but it could address all their biggest concerns.

Robbie Ray will also be back at some point in 2024.

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