The Seattle Mariners are ramping up their preparations for the 2024 season, showcasing their starting pitchers in early spring training. In a recent split-squad game against the San Francisco Giants, Bryce Miller impressed with a solid performance, pitching 1.2 innings, allowing no hits and striking out three batters. Miller's fastball reached an impressive 98 mph, while he continues to develop a new cutter with notable vertical and horizontal movement.

Despite facing a lineup mostly composed of Giants' backups, Miller's outing signals he's ready for the regular season starting March 27. Other Mariners pitchers, including Logan Gilbert, Luis Castillo, and George Kirby, have also seen action in spring training, indicating the team's depth in starting rotation. With a 2.94 ERA last season, Miller is one to watch as he aims to build on his previous success.

The Seattle Mariners' pitching staff faces high expectations following a stellar 2024 season. Their starting rotation led the league in quality starts, innings pitched, and featured four pitchers making 30 or more starts. Leading the charge was Logan Gilbert, who boasted a 3.23 ERA with 220 strikeouts in 208.2 innings over 33 starts, earning his first All-Star selection and finishing sixth in the AL Cy Young race.

Gilbert ranked in the top 10 for ERA and WHIP, prompting discussions about his Cy Young candidacy for 2025. His teammate Bryce Miller expressed confidence in Gilbert's abilities. The Mariners’ rotation includes several pitchers with promising Cy Young odds for the upcoming season; DraftKings lists Gilbert and fellow pitchers George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo among the top candidates. The Mariners’ success hinges on this elite pitching core continuing to excel.

The Seattle Mariners' pitching staff remains a formidable force, boasting three All-Star starters: George Kirby, Luis Castillo, and Logan Gilbert. With up-and-coming talents like Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller, the team enjoys a wealth of options to build their rotation. The opening day starter debate is heating up, with Ryan Rowland-Smith advocating for Logan Gilbert, who had a standout season, finishing with a 3.23 ERA and 220 strikeouts in 2024. While Castillo, a respected veteran and the highest-paid pitcher, has held the role in previous seasons, Gilbert's impressive performance may earn him the nod for the 2025 opener against the Athletics.

Gilbert's 2024 season included making his first All-Star appearance and finishing sixth in the Cy Young voting, highlighting his potential as the ace of the staff. Rowland-Smith's comments draw parallels to historical decisions, such as Erik Bedard starting over Felix Hernandez in 2008. The competition between Gilbert and Castillo reflects the Mariners' depth, ensuring that regardless of the choice, the team is set up for success as they aim for the upcoming season.

Seattle Mariners pitchers and catchers will report to spring training in Peoria, Arizona on February 12, marking the start of an exciting 2025 season. The Mariners boast a formidable starting rotation, highlighted by George Kirby, who made the All-Star Game in 2023. Kirby, known for his exceptional command, owns one of the lowest walks-per-nine-innings ratios in MLB history, second only to Cy Young. He achieved a 3.53 ERA with 179 strikeouts last season, demonstrating his pivotal role within the rotation.

As the Mariners prepare for the upcoming season, Kirby's consistency and skill are seen as crucial for maintaining their success. His ability to limit walks and generate quality starts will be essential as the team aims for another standout year, building off a rotation that had four pitchers start over 30 games last season.

The Seattle Mariners are facing a critical deadline as seven of their players must agree to contracts by Thursday at 10 a.m. PT in order to avoid arbitration. Failure to reach agreements will lead to the exchange of contract figures, potentially straining player-team relationships, as seen in Corbin Burnes' situation with the Milwaukee Brewers prior to his trade to the Baltimore Orioles.

Among the players needing contracts are Randy Arozarena, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Cal Raleigh, Tayler Saucedo, Trent Thornton, and Gabe Speier, with Arozarena's arbitration estimate peaking at $11.5 million.

This arbitration process is crucial for the Mariners, especially as they aim to manage their budget closely this offseason. The organization, which finished the previous season with an 85-77 record and narrowly missed playoff contention, has yet to invest in free agency, making these negotiations even more significant.