Mariners have an unusual risk to weigh with Bryce Miller's contract option

It's long been the opinion of plenty within the Mariners fanbase, that the owners just aren't prepared to put in the necessary financial commitment to help the team contend. That M's chairman John Stanton and the rest of the ownership group don't have a burning desire to win a championship, with regards to what they contribute towards payroll resources. And based on an interesting take from Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, this seems to extend to saving money even if it negatively impacts the relationship with one of their players.

The player in question is Bryce Miller, who the Mariners hold a $6.075 million option with for the 2027 campaign and includes a $15,000 buyout. This came as part of the deal when the righty agreed to a $2.436 million contract for this year, as the two sides avoided arbitration. However, the opinion of Divish is that the M's will pay the buyout and settle for something just over $3.5 million for next season.

Without wanting to put actual words into Divish's mouth, the implication is that the Mariners will go the cold, hard math route and look to save some money. And as if apparently wanting to stop Miller making $6.075 million isn't enough, if the quoted settlement figure of around $3.5 million proves correct, this would be even less than MLBTR's 2027 arbitration salary projection of $3.9 million for the 28-year-old.

In some respects you can understand the Mariners' thinking, as Miller suffered injury issues for the second consecutive season. Also, as much as he was at one point the most productive pitcher in the rotation, he ended the campaign as arguably their worst. Even if Luis Castillo had remained in Seattle, the Mount Pleasant, Texas native was still terrible in his own right during the second half of the 2026 campaign.

Bryce Miller might have his faults, but he still matters to the Mariners

Still, you have to wonder if what the Mariners are looking to save is worth it, if it ends up ruining the relationship with Miller? Let's be honest, it was already strained at times this year, whether it be his disliking the piggyback situation or not appreciating the possibility of being moved to the bullpen. Additionally, the thought process of the higher-ups wasn't always communicated clearly enough, and it did seem like the 2021 fourth-rounder was getting the short end of the stick more than others in the rotation.

Again, we appreciate that Miller has struggled with injury issues these past two seasons, particularly lingering right elbow inflammation and then a left oblique strain. At the same time however, when he's fit and healthy he's proven his worth. In 2024 he led the best rotation in the majors with a 3.5 bWAR, and last season he stepped up for a pitching staff running on fumes with an absolute masterclass in Game 1 of the ALCS versus the Blue Jays.

Ultimately, what this comes down to, is if it's really worth Mariners ownership saving just $2 million or so and keep driving a wedge between them and Miller? We want to say no, but let's not forget they weren't prepared to fork out around $3 million to bring back Eugenio Suárez in August after the Reds placed him on waivers. Sure, there were no guarantees it would work out, but the price was more than worth the risk to see if Geno could help save the M's season with his infectious personality and popularity in the clubhouse.

Miller might not be among the most important players on the team in the grand scheme of things, but he still matters. If an organization continues to try and save $2 million here or $3 million there, it eventually begins to build up and can potentially cause growing resentment. Stanton claims ownership is committed to doing what it takes to finally bring a World Series to Seattle so lets see more financial proof of this, beginning with Miller.

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