Mariners open to trading a different SP than expected, per report

Much of the discussion about the Seattle Mariners potentially trading away one of their starting pitchers by the Aug. 3 trade deadline has centered around Luis Castillo.

But it turns out the pitcher who might be on the move is the one that seemed most likely to be traded by Seattle the past couple seasons.

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The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon reported Thursday the Mariners are telling teams they are open to trading right-hander Emerson Hancock. They also reported the team is unlikely to engage in discussions about trading their other starting pitchers: Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, George Kirby and Bryce Miller.

Hancock, a first-round pick by Seattle in 2020, is in the midst of a breakout season after years of being the odd man out in Seattle’s rotation. After starting the year in the rotation as an injury replacement for Bryce Miller, Hancock never relinquished his spot. He pitched six no-hit innings in his season debut and has gone on to post a 6-4 record, a team-best 3.16 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 105 1/3 innings over 19 starts this season.

The 27-year-old Hancock doesn’t have near the track record of Castillo. Arguably his best stretch in the majors before this season was his month spent in the bullpen at the end of last year. But he does hold more trade value. He’s six years younger, performing better now and under club control through 2030. Not to mention, he’ll be making pre-arbitration money next season instead of $24.15 million like Castillo.

The Mariners are also set up to be able to handle losing a player like Hancock. They’d still have five starting pitchers on their 26-man roster if he were traded, as top pitching prospects Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan are waiting in the wings. Right-hander Logan Evans is also expected to return from Tommy John surgery next year to provide depth to the rotation.

Potential landing spot for Hancock

The report noted that the Chicago Cubs could be interested in acquiring a controllable arm like Hancock. Chicago, which holds the top wild-card berth in the National League, has already acquired starters David Peterson and Aaron Civale to bolster their rotation, but both have ERAs more than two runs north of Hancock’s this year.

Three right-handed bats from the Cubs mentioned as players the M’s could have interest in were right fielder Seiya Suzuki, infielder/outfielder Matt Shaw and outfielder Kevin Alcántara.

The 31-year-old Suzuki, who is in the final year of his contract, would be the most impactful of those players, at least in the short-term. He’s hit over 20 home runs the past three seasons, which includes batting .283 or higher twice. He’s well on his way to another 20-plus-homer campaign this year with 17 to go along with 16 doubles, a .270 batting average and .832 OPS in 86 games. However, Suzuki does have a full no-trade clause in his contract, per Spotrac.

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