Logan Gilbert might as well be telling Mariners not to bother extending him

On a surface level, Monday's game versus the Braves was a success for Logan Gilbert. He went 6.0 innings and got his second W of the season, to help the Mariners beat a club with the best record in the majors. However, scratch underneath that surface and it was actually another rough night at the office for the M's two-time Opening Day starter.

Gilbert allowed six hits and two walks, while the four earned runs he gave up were his second-most in eight starts. Then there's the following post on social media by Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times which sums up the righty's struggles, with only two pitchers having allowed more hard-hit balls in any one game this season than the 14 he allowed versus the Braves:

We've already written that while it was entirely understandable why Gilbert got the start on Opening Day, he's no longer the Mariners' staff ace, with that honor now being held by Bryan Woo. (Although we appreciate Woo has had issues himself in his past two starts.) He no longer looks like the same pitcher who just two seasons ago was an effective workhorse in Seattle, as he led the majors in both innings pitched and lowest WHIP.

Logan Gilbert unable to find his mojo since returning from injury

Instead the Mariners have a pitcher who's currently projected to have his worst ERA since his rookie year in 2021, as well as the highest FIP and WHIP of his major league career. In fact, you can make the case that he just hasn't really been the same since returning from a right elbow flexor strain which caused him to miss nearly two months of last season:

For clarity, the pre-injury starts date back to the beginning of the 2024 season, when Gilbert would go on to earn his first All-Star selection and finish sixth in Cy Young voting. Since returning from his flexor strain, while the 29-year-old has a higher rate of strikeouts, he's also allowing more walks, homers, hard-hit balls and -- most importantly -- more runs.

This is not ideal for the Mariners, much less Gilbert himself, with him eager to resolve his future sooner than later. He's previously indicated his preference to remain in Seattle for the long-term and he's set to become a free agent following the 2027 season, but the organization hasn't shown the same sense of urgency to get something done.

Looming MLB lockout brings a sense of urgency to Logan Gilbert's contract situation

The main reason you imagine Gilbert wants to get an extension ASAP is due to the likelihood of a lockout next year, which -- however long it lasts -- will probably result in a different financial landscape. And if, for example, a salary cap does get installed, his ability to drive up the asking price for his services could be compromised.

Reading between the lines of comments by general manager Justin Hollander prior to this season, it alludes to the Mariners having already made at least one offer to Gilbert, but it didn't meet his asking price. Further strengthening the organization's position is they have Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan in the farm system, with both primed to be future long-term starters in the rotation.

At the end of the day it really is down to Gilbert to dig deep down inside and pull out the version of him who was one of the best starters in the majors just two seasons ago. Because if he doesn't bring "Walter" back soon, he might just inadvertently convince the Mariners not to extend him.

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