The Seattle Mariners made a notable bullpen move ahead of the 2026 season. They acquired left-handed pitcher Josh Simpson from the Miami Marlins in exchange for cash considerations. The deal comes shortly after Miami designated Simpson for assignment. The decision gives Seattle more left-handed options out of the bullpen, an area that many fans felt needed attention throughout the offseason.
Throughout the winter, Mariners fans questioned why the front office had yet to add additional left-handed relief depth. That concern has now been answered. While Simpson’s overall numbers in his first MLB appearance didn’t stand out, there are reasons to believe he could become a valuable piece in Seattle’s bullpen.
Mariners Acquire LHP Josh Simpson
Simpson, 28, missed out on most of the 2024 season due to an elbow injury but returned strong in 2025. He began the year at Triple-A Jacksonville, where he posted a 3-1 record and a 3.41 ERA over 34.1 innings. During that stretch, he allowed 13 earned runs while striking out 29 and walking 16. His performance earned him his first Major League callup.
His MLB debut came on June 21 against the Atlanta Braves. The outing proved difficult, as he allowed four earned runs over two innings. However, Simpson rebounded, delivering eight consecutive scoreless appearances out of Miami’s bullpen. That stretch shows why he is an intriguing relief prospect for Seattle.
Consistency proved difficult for Simpson as the season progressed. Over his next 12 appearances, he surrendered 17 earned runs, including a difficult seven-run outing in September, again against Atlanta. By season’s end, he finished with a 7.34 ERA across 31 appearances. He allowed 25 earned runs while striking out 36 and walking 22. He posted a 4-2 record despite the inflated ERA.
While the surface-level results were underwhelming, underlying metrics suggest there might be more potential than the ERA indicates. Simpson struck out nearly 24 percent of opposing hitters and generated ground balls at an impressive 53.9 percent rate, well above league average. His expected Fielding Independent Pitching (xFIP) and Skill-Interactive ERA (SIERA) both came in below 4.50, pointing to the possibility that he has more to offer and was inconsistent rather than ineffective.
Originally drafted by Miami in the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-hander compiled a 13-8 record with a 4.33 ERA over six minor league seasons in the Marlins organization. Across 226.2 minor league innings, he struck out 318 batters, showing potential for improved consistency with time.
Logan Evans Placed on 60-Day Injured List
To clear space on the 40-man roster, Seattle placed right-hander Logan Evans on the 60-day injured list. Evans underwent surgery in January to reconstruct a torn ulnar collateral ligament. The procedure typically requires about 12 months for recovery and likely sidelines him for the entire 2026 season.
Evans was selected by the Mariner’s in the 12th round of 2023 MLB First-Year Players Draft after attending the University of Pittsburgh. He developed quickly and entered the 2025 season ranked among the organization’s top pitching prospects prior to his Major League Debut with Seattle.
With Evans out and bullpen depth a priority, Simpson acts as a low-risk acquisition. If he can harness his strikeout ability and continue generating ground balls at a high rate, he could prove to be a reliable left-handed option for Seattle as the 2026 campaign unfolds.
Mariners Add Left-Handed Reliever in Trade with Marlins