The Seattle Mariners' pitching staff faces high expectations following a stellar 2024 season. Their starting rotation led the league in quality starts, innings pitched, and featured four pitchers making 30 or more starts. Leading the charge was Logan Gilbert, who boasted a 3.23 ERA with 220 strikeouts in 208.2 innings over 33 starts, earning his first All-Star selection and finishing sixth in the AL Cy Young race.

Gilbert ranked in the top 10 for ERA and WHIP, prompting discussions about his Cy Young candidacy for 2025. His teammate Bryce Miller expressed confidence in Gilbert's abilities. The Mariners’ rotation includes several pitchers with promising Cy Young odds for the upcoming season; DraftKings lists Gilbert and fellow pitchers George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo among the top candidates. The Mariners’ success hinges on this elite pitching core continuing to excel.

The Seattle Mariners' pitching staff remains a formidable force, boasting three All-Star starters: George Kirby, Luis Castillo, and Logan Gilbert. With up-and-coming talents like Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller, the team enjoys a wealth of options to build their rotation. The opening day starter debate is heating up, with Ryan Rowland-Smith advocating for Logan Gilbert, who had a standout season, finishing with a 3.23 ERA and 220 strikeouts in 2024. While Castillo, a respected veteran and the highest-paid pitcher, has held the role in previous seasons, Gilbert's impressive performance may earn him the nod for the 2025 opener against the Athletics.

Gilbert's 2024 season included making his first All-Star appearance and finishing sixth in the Cy Young voting, highlighting his potential as the ace of the staff. Rowland-Smith's comments draw parallels to historical decisions, such as Erik Bedard starting over Felix Hernandez in 2008. The competition between Gilbert and Castillo reflects the Mariners' depth, ensuring that regardless of the choice, the team is set up for success as they aim for the upcoming season.

As 2025 approaches, the search for breakout starting pitchers intensifies. Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners showcased a stellar 2024 season, boasting a 2.89 ERA, 3.40 FIP, and an impressive 0.90 WHIP over 121.1 innings. His remarkable drop in walk rate to 2.8% is a significant highlight, although concerns linger regarding the effectiveness of his secondary pitches. Meanwhile, Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros demonstrated his potential despite an average 3.49 ERA, excelling with a 2.51 ERA in the latter half of the season. Lastly, Garrett Crochet, recently traded to the Boston Red Sox, had an All-Star season with a 3.58 ERA and a striking 35.1% strikeout rate, indicating potential for further success in a better defensive environment.

Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden suggests the Seattle Mariners should consider trading their young pitcher Bryan Woo to bolster their offense before spring training. Bowden identifies the Baltimore Orioles as a potential trade partner, specifically recommending a deal to acquire Colby Mayo, a promising prospect. Mayo, who had an impressive season in the minors with a .293 batting average and 25 home runs, is viewed as a significant addition to the Mariners’ lineup. While Woo is regarded as one of the top young pitchers, his potential trade could be necessary for Seattle to fill their defensive gaps at the infield corners.

The Mariners, fresh off an 85-77 season, narrowly missing the playoffs, are under pressure to enhance their roster. Given ownership's spending constraints this offseason, targeting a trade rather than free agency appears to be their best strategy. Bowden's plan may help the Mariners strengthen their roster as they prepare for the upcoming season, with their first spring training session starting on February 12.

In the competitive realm of Fantasy Baseball, player selection involves more than just name recognition; it demands a nuanced understanding of value based on skill, track record, and potential risks. Recent analyses have identified key players who pose significant risks for draft selections, primarily categorized into three groups: injury risks, overvalued assets, and bottom-out potential.

Among the injury risks, Jazz Chisholm of the New York Yankees stands out as a high-upside but fragile option, while pitcher Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves has raised concerns due to a troubling injury history despite his recent Cy Young accolade.

Jacob deGrom from the Texas Rangers is another high-risk pick following his second Tommy John surgery, and Mariners' Bryan Woo is cautioned against due to a series of forearm and elbow injuries. On the overvalued front, Willy Adames, who signed a massive contract with the San Francisco Giants, may not replicate his previous success due to a shift in offensive environment.

Furthermore, Jake Burger of the Rangers is noted for his power but lacks a well-rounded skill set, while Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs is deemed too risky for a high draft position given his inconsistency. Lastly, players like Robert Suarez and Hunter Greene exemplify bottom-out potential, with marked performance volatility and injury concerns.