Why Hyphen says Mariners need to ink Logan Gilbert to extension

The Seattle Mariners have some heavy lifting to do this offseason as they attempt to bounce back from a disappointing 2026.

M’s player from Luis Castillo trade haul elects free agency

In addition to a managerial search, the Mariners have a few key players set to hit free agency, namely left fielder Randy Arozarena and longtime shortstop J.P. Crawford. And beyond those the soon-to-be free agents, they could also have an interesting decision to make with starting pitcher Logan Gilbert on the horizon.

Gilbert, who has a career 3.60 ERA and 1,089 strikeouts over 1,021 1/3 innings in six big-league seasons, will be in his final year of club control in 2027 and figures to be one of the biggest names to hit free agency after that season.

Seattle has yet to come to terms on any sort of contract extension with Gilbert, and reports of any extension talks between he and the M’s have been sparse.

So, with Gilbert entering his final year of club control with the possibility that he could leave afterwards, is he a trade candidate this offseason? Mariners analyst and former MLB pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith doesn’t think that is a route the club should go with Gilbert. During Monday’s edition of Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, Rowland-Smith explained why the M’s should lock down their talented right-hander with a new deal.

Rowland-Smith pointed to the way Gilbert pitched in what was a meaningless Game 162 for the M’s in their season finale as an example of why Gilbert needs to be retained.

“You got a dude who wants to pitch in (Game) 162, and the way he came out, it was not some wave to the fans and thank you. He (brought) the same intensity (he normally would),” Rowland-Smith said. “You need him when you’ve got a Kade Anderson, Ryan Sloan and so on to say, ‘This is how we do things.'”

In that final outing of the season, Gilbert struck out eight batters over four perfect innings before allowing a leadoff walk in the fifth that ended his day.

“Many guys would just say I don’t need to pitch… just have a bullpen day,” Rowland-Smith said. “Do you know how many guys I’ve played with who would do that? Do not get rid of Logan Gilbert – 1,000%.”

The 29-year-old Gilbert was one of just 13 pitchers to strike out 200 batters this season. He was also one of just five to do so while pitching at least 180 innings. The Stetson product has pitched at least 180 innings in four of his five full seasons in the majors, with the lone exception being in 2025 when he made the only trip to the injured list in his career.

“Pay the man. Have him here for a long time because he is so valuable,” Rowland-Smith said. “Logan Gilbert, sometimes I take him for granted. He’s, again, in the clubhouse and in that dugout, he is gold with some of these young players who you plan to bring up.”

Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player in this story. Listen to Wyman and Bob weekdays from 2-7 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app. 

Seattle Mariners news and more

• GM Justin Hollander details what the Mariners have to do better in ’27
• If this was it for J.P. Crawford, he’s left a lasting impact on Mariners
• Drayer: Seattle Mariners focus on accountability, making a shift for 2027

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