While the Seattle Mariners have avoided arbitration with six of their eligible players, they were unable to reach an agreement with one. Bryce Miller remains as the lone unresolved case as the process moves forward.
Historically, the Mariners have been an organization that avoids arbitration whenever possible. Under President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto, Seattle has gone to a hearing just once. In 2023, reliever Diego Castillo was taken to arbitration ahead of the season. That track record highlights just how unusual it is for the Mariners to reach this stage. Particularly with a starting pitcher viewed as a long-term piece of their rotation.
What Bryce Miller is Asking of the Seattle Mariners
According to multiple reports, Miller filed for a salary of $2.625 million for the 2026 season. The Mariners countered that number with $2.25 million. The difference between the two figures is $375,000, a relatively small gap by arbitration standards. Still, it remains unresolved as spring training approaches.
While the dollar amount itself is not massive, arbitration hearings often focus less on the gap and more on how each salary frames a player’s value. Teams typically focus on inconsistencies, injuries, and traditional metrics such as ERA and innings pitched. Meanwhile, players emphasize their role and contributions to winning, including postseason performance.
Bryce Miller’s 2025 Season
Because arbitration panels rely heavily on traditional statistics, Miller’s 2025 regular season performance will play a significant role in the hearing.
Miller spent a considerable portion of the season on the injured list and made just 18 starts. In those outings, he posted a 5.68 ERA, 3.4 walks per nine innings, a 1.41 WHIP, and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. All four marks represented career worsts, giving the Mariners enough statistical material to support their lower salary offer.
However, Miller’s value to the team extended beyond the regular season. When the Mariners reached the postseason, he emerged as a critical player for a pitching staff that had been pushed to its limits due to injuries and fatigue.
In Game 1 of the American League Division Series, Miller delivered six innings of one-run baseball. The performance came after an 18-inning marathon against the Tigers in Game 5 of the Divisional Series matchup. A night that severely fatigued the bullpen and rotation. His performance helped the team reset and allowed Seattle to regain momentum early in the series.
Later, in Game 5 of the ALCS, Miller again rose to the occasion. He allowed just one run and helped the Mariners take a 3–2 series lead. While postseason performance does not carry the same weight as the regular-season in arbitration, it can still influence how a panel views a player’s importance and role.
A hearing will be scheduled ahead of spring training. During the hearing, a three-person arbitration panel will choose either Miller’s submitted salary or the Mariners’ figure, with no middle ground on the number.
Both sides can continue negotiating up until the hearing date and may still reach an agreement on their own terms. That result would align more with Seattle’s long-standing preference to avoid arbitration altogether.
Mariners’ Only Arbitration Case: Bryce Miller’s Situation