Trade for An Ace
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This is the top of the wish list because it is the most unlikely. The Mariners have built one of the best rotations in baseball over the last few years, but last year we saw them take a step back in performance. The number of times that their starters were going into the sixth and seventh innings seemed to be down in 2025 compared to the year before, and the command of the staff was not as sharp. This could be due to injuries to nearly every starter, most notably Bryce Miller and Logan Gilbert.
Both of those two suffered arm injuries during the season and were not as dominant as they were in 2024. George Kirby also had a shoulder injury in spring training that kept him out a while, and then it took him a while to round into traditional form as well. Another problem the M’s pitching staff faced was that once they got into the postseason for just the second time in over 20 years, they did not have a true ace like some of their opponents.
The Mariners had to mix and match a lot with their starters in the playoffs. If they were to be able to slot in a true ace at the front of the rotation to set the tone in a playoff series, that would make a significant difference for them in 2026. There have been rumors of Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal being available for a high price this offseason because he is on an expiring contract. The Mariners miraculously beat him twice in the ALDS in 2025, but if they had him on their staff in 2026 that could help them push further to the World Series.