The Seattle Mariners may end up holding one of the biggest cards on the market before Monday’s Major League Baseball trade deadline, and George Kirby is suddenly the name drawing the loudest buzz.
According to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, the right-hander’s chances of being dealt have climbed fast over the past several days. They put the odds at 50%, and they framed the possibility as something that could reshape the deadline landscape.
"Seattle's openness to moving Kirby could be a deadline game changer, with the starting pitching market at a standstill and Kirby rising to the top of all non-Skubal arms," McDaniel and Passan wrote.
They also made clear why so many teams would line up if Kirby becomes available.
"With a fastball that sits at 97 mph, arguably the best command of any starter in baseball and two years of club control beyond this season, Kirby is a prize for contenders and noncontenders alike. If he moves, the return will be hefty," they added.
Kirby, a 2023 All-Star, has posted a 3.76 ERA this season while allowing an American League-high 136 hits in 127 innings over 21 starts. Even with that hit total, his control remains his calling card. He owns a career walk percentage of 3.8%, a number that helps explain why he’s viewed as one of the most polished starters in the game.
For teams scrambling to upgrade their rotations, the timing could be everything. The Mariners are expected to hear plenty of calls before the 6 p.m.
EDT deadline, and Kirby’s contract situation only adds to the intrigue. The 28-year-old won’t reach free agency until 2029.
Among the clubs that could be especially aggressive are the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves, two National League teams in clear need of starting pitching help. Kirby would slide into either rotation without much fuss if Seattle decides to make the move.
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