MLB insider drops a Mariners extension comment fans have been waiting for

The Athletic's Chad Jennings has written an interesting article (subscription required), detailing the biggest offseason change by every American League team. For the Mariners specifically, Jennings noted how they are now building beyond the rotation, by focusing more on the lineup and looking for ways to strengthen the bullpen.

However, this doesn't change the reality that the rotation will still play the biggest role in helping the Mariners remain contenders, as they look for the first World Series berth and championship in franchise history. And that window for contention looks set to be open for a while yet, when considering the age of the current starters outside of Luis Castillo, combined with talented prospects such as Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan.

As if this isn't positive enough, Mark Feinsand shared some potential good news for Mariners fans during an appearance on the MLB Network's hot stove: "We've been talking about this great, young Mariners pitching staff. It wouldn't be surprising to see them try to pick one or two of them and lock them up."

The focus is mainly on Bryan Woo and Logan Gilbert, and in theory the latter should be more of a priority for the Mariners. As things stand, Woo still has three years of arbitration eligibility after this season, while Gilbert is set to become a free agent following the conclusion of the 2027 campaign.

However, as SoDo Mojo's Tremayne Person wrote last week, the Mariners have to at least tread carefully when it comes to Gilbert, their Opening Day starter from last year. The 2025 season saw the right-hander take a step backwards from his dominant 2024 form, compromised by a Grade 1 right elbow flexor strain which kept him out of action for nearly two months.

Bryan Woo is now the main man in the Mariners rotation

Almost simultaneously, Woo took steps last year towards becoming the de facto staff ace, as he showed tremendous productivity, consistency and duration until he suffered his own injury issues right at the end of the regular season. As a result, Person made the case for extending the 2025 All-Star as representing the best hope for rotation stability.

In the dog eat dog, what have you done for me lately harsh world of professional sports, it really does make more sense to get Woo tied down for the long-term, with him also being nearly three years younger than Gilbert, at just turned 26. Especially if the Mariners do decide to only extend one of their pitchers at this stage.

However, let's be optimistic here about Feinsand saying "one or two" and put out some positive vibes that it will be two long-term extensions the Mariners offer. In this scenario, we can make a strong case for why Gilbert should be that second extension as opposed to George Kirby, who we suspect could become a trade candidate, or Bryce Miller, who is under team control until 2030.

For a start, Gilbert has made no secret of the fact that he wants to stay in Seattle. As reported by Adam Jude of The Seattle Times last March, the righty said: "[Mariners management] know where I stand. Seattle has become like home for me, and I'd love to be able to finish my career here."

Seattle now means home and stability for Logan Gilbert

Having players actually love the city and team they are a part of can be invaluable for morale and team chemistry, while also potentially proving beneficial for the front office and ownership in a financial sense. The two prime examples of this in Seattle being Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor, who went below their respective market values to sign long-term deals with the Mariners.

Along these lines, Gilbert might also be willing to sign a more team-friendly deal with the Mariners, as a compromise to gain some more long-term security following his rough 2025 season. (Although to be clear, rough in the sense that he has set the bar so high for himself based on previous years.)

Let's also not play down the importance of family, whether in the literal sense or to describe those you are close to, when it comes to Gilbert making the best long-term decision for himself. As per Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, he has a new perspective on life following the birth of his son last November, while Raleigh is one of his best friends on the Mariners team.

If we wanted to play devil's advocate or attempt to make a hot take of sorts, you could argue the Mariners don't need to do anything regarding extending their pitching staff, with Anderson and Sloan coming up through the system. Ultimately though, we would much rather see the two prospects join a rotation which still includes Woo and Gilbert, so if the Mariners can get good deals for them both, then why not?