Mariners agree on ’26 contract with Bryce Miller, avoiding arbitration

The Seattle Mariners will not be going to salary arbitration, announcing they have made a deal with right-handed pitcher Bryce Miller on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Miller has agreed to terms on a 2026 contract with a club option for 2027.

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Miller was the only arbitration-eligible player on the Mariners roster who did not agree with the team on a 2026 contract by Jan. 8, which was the deadline for MLB franchises and players to exchange proposed salary figures for this year. Miller filed at $2.625 million, while the Mariners filed at $2.25 million.

Per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, Miller will have a $2.4375 million salary for 2026, and the Mariners’ club option for 2027 is $6.075 million with a $15,000 buyout. Miller remains under team control through 2029, so the club option and buyout only pertains to the salary he could garner in arbitration for next year based on his overall performance through this season. If Miller finishes in the top five for the Cy Young Award, the club option would be voided with Miller still receiving the buyout.

Injuries held Miller back during the 2025 regular season, his third in the big leagues, as he finished with a 5.68 ERA in 18 starts (90 1/3 innings) while twice landing on the injured list with right elbow inflammation. But he was perhaps Seattle’s best pitcher in the playoffs, allowing just four earned runs over three starts (14 1/3 innings) for a 2.51 ERA to help the M’s come within one win of reaching the World Series.

A fourth-round MLB Draft pick by the Mariners in 2021 out of Texas A&M, Miller shined in 2024 with Seattle, going 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 171 strikeouts to 45 walks over 31 starts (180 1/3 innings).

The Mariners previously agreed on 2026 contracts with six other arbitration-eligible players: outfielders Randy Arozarena and Luke Raley, starting pitchers Logan Gilbert and George Kirby, and relievers Matt Brash and Gabe Speier.

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