3 moves that could happen after the busy Friday for the Mariners

Mariners extend their young pitching

This one is perhaps the least exciting for Mariners fans as it doesn't directly improve the 2024 team, but this could be a very significant move. The Mariners have such good young pitcher and looking to build around that strength could put the Mariners ahead for the next few years. Especially considering the numbers some of these pitchers are getting, extending Gilbert or Kirby could benefit the Mariners long term.

I would look to the Spencer Strider as a sort of similar deal. In October of 2022, Strider signed a 6-year, $75 million extension, signing him through his age 29 season. It also includes an option for $22 million for his age 30 season. Kirby is a year older, but a similar deal here could work. Maybe the Mariners can buy out 1 or 2 years and give Kirby some extra cash for doing so. Maybe a 6-year $70 million extension could get it done.

The Mariners have apparently talked to Gilbert about an extension, how far that got, who knows. He has a year less control than Kirby, and is already making decent money in arbitration. You might be able to get another year or two on top, in something like a 5-year $80 million extension would work. It would give Gilbert more cash over the next few years and give the Mariners an extra year of control.