Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock begins 2026 with some of the best games of his career. So far through two games, Hancock pitched with a 0.71 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 12.2 innings. Jeff Passan believes that this development could inspire the organization to finally trade from their starting pitching depth.
He said, “It’s just a couple of starts at this point, but they’ve been really good starts. I think the version of Hancock that we’re seeing now is like the version that we thought we could see when he was drafted, but not the version that when he was ascending through the minor leagues, I anticipated. I thought Emerson Hancock was a No. 5. He is not pitching like a No. 5 right now. He’s pitching like a good mid-rotation starter, and the fact that there could be more if this becomes a consistent thing is a great sign for an organization that already has five good starting pitchers.”
Hancock is a former top 10 prospect in the Mariners farm system. In 2024, Fangraphs ranked him as the 8th prospect in the system, giving him a 45 FV grade and projected him as a number 4/5 starter. His MLB debut was in 2023. In 39 games and 33 starts, Hancock has pitched for a 4.52 ERA. This 2026 season has been totally unexpected, but the development gives the Mariners flexibility to make decisions to improve other aspects of the roster.
Seattle Mariners Pitching Depth Hard to Ignore
GettyThe development of Emerson Hancock could allow the Mariners to look at offers for George Kirby and Bryce Miller.
Coming into 2026, many expected the rotation to look like Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo, Luis Castillo, and Bryce Miller for the majority of the season. Miller injured himself in spring training, allowing for Hancock to take his place in the rotation.
The Mariners also have two top pitching prospects in Ryan Sloan and Kade Anderson. The team selected Anderson with the third overall pick in the 2025 draft.
With the possible breakout of Hancock, it could create a lot of opportunities for the Mariners in the trade market.
Passan said, “It opens up a world of possibilities for the Mariners, some of which are exciting: the idea of potentially moving a pitcher to get some more help with the bats or get some more help in the bullpen or wherever it is that you want to upgrade. But, it’s also a little scary because George Kirby and Logan Gilbert, in particular, are getting closer and closer to free agency, and you wonder if one of these guys who’s been as seminal as both of them have to this rise of the Mariners is going to suddenly become a potential trade candidate.”
The Seattle Mariners Have Tough Decisions to Make
GettyThe Mariners have some tough decisions upcoming Logan Gilbert and their other starters.
Gilbert’s final arbitration year is in 2027, making him a free agent in 2028. The Mariners have reached out to Gilbert and Woo for a contract extensions. George Kirby has not been mentioned publicly as someone the Mariners have reached out for an extension, which does not mean they have not. However, Kirby’s final two arbitration years are coming soon, which would allow him to reach free agency in 2029
Miller is the other player that could be on the move despite not being mentioned by Passan. He has had an up and down career in the MLB, pitching with a 4.01 ERA over 74 starts. In 2024, Miller had his best year of career so far with a 2.94 ERA over 31 starts, but he regressed mightily in 2025 with a 5.68 ERA over 18 starts. That being said, Miller was vital to the Mariners postseason run with a 2.51 ERA in three starts.
Seattle Mariners’ Breakout Player Could Inspire Trade