Emerson Hancock, the Mariners' No. 6 starter, has made several appearances in the majors due to injuries within the rotation. He was drafted by the team and is part of a strong pitching development program that has produced multiple All-Star pitchers. Hancock's contributions have been crucial as the Mariners continue to build a competitive pitching staff.

Emerson Hancock is viewed as a potential internal option for the Mariners' starting rotation, but the team is hesitant to weaken their pitching depth significantly while seeking offensive upgrades. His presence suggests that the Mariners are balancing their needs for both pitching and hitting in trade discussions.

Emerson Hancock is projected to be Seattle's No. 6 starter, with an estimated fWAR of 0.2. His performance is expected to drop significantly compared to the other starters, with a notable decline in ERA+ projected between him and the fifth starter. Hancock made 12 starts in 2024, hampered by injuries to other pitchers, raising concerns about the depth of the rotation if further injuries occur. If the Mariners need to go deeper than Hancock, it could lead to call-ups from their top pitching prospects.

Emerson Hancock is positioned as a potential option for the Mariners' starting rotation should any of the current pitchers experience injuries. He is noted to be waiting in the wings, indicating that he could be called up if needed.

Emerson Hancock, the Mariners' No. 6 starter, has been included in trade discussions as the team considers options to improve its offense. Despite being a valuable asset, he has been speculated as a potential trade piece, reflecting the team's willingness to explore various avenues for improvement.