Jerry Dipoto said Wednesday that he believes the Mariners are “a pretty complete team,” but the roster picture still points toward one obvious truth: Seattle needs to keep hunting for outside bats. And with the Cubs suddenly staring at a rotation that has been thinned out by free agency, Chicago looks like a club that could match up with the Mariners in a deal.
The Cubs are coming off a playoff season, but their starting pitching never fully settled in. They finished 18th in team ERA, and now the group is in far shakier shape after seven pitchers reached free agency. That kind of opening is exactly the sort of thing Seattle can work with, especially given how deep the Mariners remain on the mound.
Even in what counts as a down year, Seattle still finished 10th in team ERA. The core is largely the same one that led the majors in ERA two seasons ago, and right now the Mariners have six quality starting options. Ryan Sloan is not part of that group yet, but he is expected to make his Major League debut at some point in 2027, pending how the seemingly inevitable lockout pans out.
That depth creates real flexibility. Bryce Miller could end up in the bullpen on a more permanent basis, though it’s easy to imagine that not sitting well with him.
Beyond that, the Mariners could move one of their starters entirely, and George Kirby and Emerson Hancock stand out as the names most likely to draw attention. The Cubs reportedly had interest in both before this year’s trade deadline, which makes the fit even more interesting.
Miller would also be a candidate if Seattle did decide to shift him, especially if he pushes back on a bullpen role and wants to stay in the rotation. Logan Gilbert probably shouldn’t be ruled out either. The larger point is simple: the Mariners have pitching to spare, and the Cubs have a need.
The real question is what Seattle would want back.
Dipoto’s comments about the offense help frame that answer. He pointed to a lineup that includes Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez and Josh Naylor - all of whom should bounce back in 2027 - along with Cole Young, Dominic Canzone and Colt Emerson. He also mentioned Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo as internal names who could rise, but even with that group, the Mariners still need more.
Two Cubs names fit the bill. Matt Shaw could make sense as a right-handed bat who brings speed and versatility.
His second season was interrupted by a pair of injured list stints, but he still showed steady progress. Drafted 13th overall in 2023, he’s the kind of utility player Dipoto tends to like, and he could help Seattle at third base and in right field.
Pedro Ramirez is another option worth watching. He made a strong first impression in his first season in the majors, and the switch-hitter posted a .919 OPS from the right side. He can handle two infield spots and brings excellent range, which only adds to the appeal.
Dipoto likes to leave no stone unturned, and this is the kind of trade lane that fits the Mariners’ needs. A call to Chicago would make plenty of sense.
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What makes this feel so delicate is the cost. The Mariners are weighing what kind of package it would take to even get Baltimore to engage, and the names being floated in that kind of scenario tell the story of how steep the ask could be. There have been no official trade talks or demands reported, but the possibility alone puts Seattle in a familiar spot: deciding whether a franchise-altering talent is worth the kind of return that could change the roster in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]