Mariners fans must not envy manager's impossible decision on Opening Day starter

For all the questions and concerns surrounding the Seattle Mariners ahead of the 2025 season, the one area of the team not worrying fans is the starting rotation. The fab five -- with a little mix of Emerson Hancock -- were the best in the Majors last year, leading the league in a whole host of categories including ERA, WHIP, opposing team batting average and fewest walks.

As if to underscore the quality of the Mariners' rotation, the main question surrounding them comes under the section of 'First World Problems'. More specifically, who will take the ball and be the starter on Opening Day at home versus the Athletics?

It will more than likely be a choice between Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo, with Mariners manager Dan Wilson admitting he is unsure which way he will go at this stage. Speaking to the media on Monday, including Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, he said: "Hard to say at this point, but we're getting there. I think we're starting to put the pieces together here. I don't know if there's a date that I can give you guys, but we're definitely kicking it around."

Mariners have plenty to consider with Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo

It's an interesting dilemma, with Castillo being the Mariners' de facto team ace since arriving in a trade from Cincinnati at the end of July back in 2022 and having started Opening Day the past two seasons. However, this dynamic has now been compromised by the events of last season.

Having already established himself in the rotation, Gilbert took his game to another level in 2024, as he proved to be extremely durable and earned the first All-Star selection of his career in the Majors. He led all Major League starters with 208.2 innings pitched and a 0.887 WHIP, while also producing career bests with a 3.27 FIP and 27.4 percent strikeout rate.

Certainly, Wilson is delighted with the progress the righty has made, ever since his Major League debut back in 2021. He said: "He's really become a leader amongst that pitching staff, and what he continues to do is get better. He continues to work at it, and there is no quit in him."

Luis Castillo took a step back in 2024 for the Mariners

On the flip side, Castillo displayed his least effective form since arriving in Seattle, and was actually the Mariners' most unproductive starter last year. His stats were just fine in their own right; it's just more a case where better is expected, from a pitcher who will be the most expensive player on the wage bill in 2025.

Combined with Castillo being 32, this led to the Mariners at least entertaining the possibility of moving him during the offseason. However, this ended up coming to nothing due to the lack of enticing offers from other teams, albeit much to the relief of everyone concerned within the organization.

Even though the three-time All-Star said the trade speculation didn't concern him -- and why would it, given that he had a no-trade clause for 2025 in his deal -- this could factor into what decision is made for Opening Day. Even though Gilbert arguably deserves the nod based purely on last season's respective performances, Castillo might get the call as a way of the team showing they still believe in and respect him.

If it helps in any of this, Gilbert seems to be taking a philosophical approach, with him also giving credit to the rest of the rotation. As per Kramer, he said: "It'd be awesome if it happened, but I mean, we have five Opening Day starters, so I don't think anybody should get their feelings hurt, because on different teams, we would probably all start the first day. So it's a huge honor to whoever gets it."

From our perspective, the belief is that Gilbert should be the one to start on opening day, but at the same time we do appreciate the dilemma facing Wilson ahead of his first full season as Mariners manager. Regardless of who does get the nod against the Athletics on Mar. 27, this is a packed rotation which should once again have the team in genuine contention for the playoffs.

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