Mariners must realize they can't have it both ways with their pitching surplus

It might not have felt like it at times this season, but the Mariners retain one of the top starting rotations in the majors. However, they're now at a point when they've almost got too much of a good thing going on and something has to give. Even if it means the organization going down a path they would prefer not to tread.

As the Mariners prepare for the second half of the season, the rotation is in good standing, ranking sixth in ERA, third in WHIP and strikeouts, second in quality starts and first in fWAR. The M's really should be better than 48-49, alluding to their need to boost other areas of the team ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

Fortunately for the Mariners, they're in a position where the rotation is too full, meaning they can easily afford to move one of the starters. In fact, as reported by Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, the M's are more open than they’ve ever been to dealing from their rotation. The only thing is, sources indicate this is still not their preferred route.

Time for the Mariners to stop having their cake and eating it

Now sure, we get that it's usually better to have quality cover, to account for loss of form and/or injuries. However, no matter how much the piggyback strategy and six-man rotation have been deployed with the best of intentions, the reality is continuing to use either or both would mean the organization is really pushing their luck. Bryce Miller might have been the only one to publicly state his unhappiness, but it's a fair assumption other starters felt the same.

Then there's the expected promotion of at least one -- if not both -- of Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan by Sept. 1 at the latest. As much as there has been talk of a "super bullpen," the Mariners would ideally prefer Anderson and Sloan to start if and when they are called up. As general manager Justin Hollander said last month on Seattle Sports, putting them in a bullpen or shortened role would really inhibit their development long-term:

"You’re talking about capping their innings at something like 80 or 90 for the year if we did that, based on how many innings they’re likely to pitch out of a bullpen. And that really affects their ability to jump off of a platform for next year and not be shortened into like a four or five-month season next year."

Justin Hollander

Even a month later, as Anderson and Sloan continue to offer evidence they are ready or nearly ready for the majors, this preferred approach hasn't changed. As per Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said the Mariners don't want to risk sabotaging the duo's development. So, save for any injuries, the only way one or both of them is going to see any action in the big leagues this season, is by trading a starter.

And the odd man out in the Mariners rotation is...?

As noted by Kramer and reported elsewhere, the preference is to move Luis Castillo, which comes as no surprise. Even allowing for his recent improvement, he remains the least productive member of the six-man rotation as well as the oldest, by four years. Arguably the biggest challenge facing the Mariners is Castillo's contract situation, with him owed $24.15 million next year and a potential $25 million vesting option, pending pitching 180 innings in 2027.

What does help the Mariners in all of this though, is Castillo being one of the few quality starters realistically available to be traded. Also, as we covered last week, the case has now been made that the potential for the three-time All-Star to be moved appears stronger than ever.

We appreciate this still doesn't guarantee anything in respect of actually moving Castillo. However, it's up to Dipoto and Hollander to take advantage of an increasingly favorable situation, because they can't continue to have it both ways with the pitching surplus.

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