RADIO
Bryan Woo a Bounce-Back Candidate in 2027
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo had a disappointing year relative to expectations in 2026, recording a 12-10 record with a 4.01 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 175 strikeouts across 173 innings (30 starts). The 26-year-old's production dropped off across the board relative to his 2025 campaign, when he finished fifth in the American League Cy Young Award voting. However, there's plenty of reason for fantasy managers to believe in Woo's ability to bounce back in 2027. Much of Woo's ERA increase can be attributed to his 66.2% strand rate, which was significantly below his 73.4% career mark. Even in a down year, the young right-hander remained an excellent source of WHIP and a solid source of strikeouts, and he's also now logged back-to-back 30-start seasons. Heading into 2027, fantasy managers may want to look to buy low on Woo.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mariners Hiring Jason Kanzler as New Manager
The Seattle Mariners are hiring former Chicago Cubs' director of player development Jason Kanzler as their new manager, a source told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Houston Astros manager Joe Espada had been among the finalists to land the job in Seattle, but it will instead go to Kanzler in an unconventional move by the Mariners. Kanzler, 36, will be replacing Dan Wilson after he was fired following the team's disappointing 2026 season. Kanzler has never managed at any level, but he will be inheriting one of the league's deepest, most talented rosters. Seattle has stars in outfielder Julio Rodriguez and catcher Cal Raleigh, not to mention some of the best starting-pitching depth in baseball. Kanzler is a former outfielder who was drafted in the 20th round in 2013. He previously spent five years with the Houston Astros, serving as a major-league coach in 2022 and 2023. He was hired by the Cubs as their director of player development at the start of the 2024 campaign. Kanzler will be the third skipper to serve under general manager Jerry Dipoto, who was brought in near the end of the 2015 season.
Source: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
Source: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
Bryce Miller's Optioned Declined, Still Under Contract With M's
Seattle Mariners executive vice president and general manager of baseball operations Justin Hollander announced on Thursday that the team declined their $6.075 million 2027 club option on right-hander Bryce Miller, but he remains under contract with the team through the 2029 season. Miller will receive a $15,000 buyout as part of a one-year deal that guaranteed $2.452 million. He is eligible for salary arbitration as well. He did not make his debut with the team in 2026 until May 13 due to a strained left oblique and went 4-10 with a 4.17 ERA in 21 starts and one relief appearance for Seattle in his fourth year in the big leagues. It was a second straight disappointing season for Miller after he had a career-worst 5.68 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 74:34 K:BB in 90 1/3 innings across 18 starts in his third year in 2025. He is trying to recapture the form that saw him post a career-best 2.94 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 171:45 K:BB in his 31 starts in 2024. Miller had his worst stretch in the majors in 2026 and was demoted back to the minors in August. With Emerson Hancock now a rotation member and young lefty Kade Anderson in the mix, Miller could be the odd man out for a rotation spot to begin next season.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Rocco Baldelli Withdraws From Mariners' Managerial Search
Los Angeles Dodgers special assistant Rocco Baldelli has withdrawn from the search for a new Seattle Mariners manager, according to a report from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Rosenthal reports that Baldelli has cited "family considerations" in withdrawing his name from consideration for the Mariners' open position. Baldelli currently serves as a special assistant to the president of baseball operations with the Dodgers. He was previously the manager of the Minnesota Twins from 2019 to 2025 and was the American League Manager of the Year in 2019 and won three AL Central division titles.
Source: The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal
Source: The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal
Managerial Candidates Emerging For Mariners Job
According to The Athletic's Chandler Rome, two former members of the Houston Astros staff -- Joe Espada and Jason Kanzler -- have emerged as serious candidates in the search for a new Seattle Mariners manager. Kanzler was on the Astros' 2022 staff and is now the Cubs farm director. And The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal added that Rocco Baldelli, the Dodgers' special assistant, is also in the mix for the Mariners job. The Mariners finished 76-86 overall and in third place in the AL West behind the Houston Astros, who finished with an 81-81 record to win the division. The Astros parted ways with Espada this offseason after the team lost to the Chicago White Sox in the postseason.
Source: Chandler Rome, The Athletic
Source: Chandler Rome, The Athletic
Joe Espada Set to Interview for Mariners Manager Job
The Seattle Mariners are set to interview current Houston Astros manager Joe Espada for their managerial vacancy, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. While Espada is currently employed by Houston, Rome reports that his future with the organization is "in doubt" as his contract expires at the end of October. Espada has been the manager of the Astros since the start of the 2024 season. Houston has reached the playoffs twice under his watch, but they've failed to win a postseason game and have also seen their regular-season record get worse every year. The Mariners parted ways with former manager Dan Wilson shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 season. Seattle won just 76 games this year, but the team has plenty of returning talent. If Espada gets the Mariners job, he will be under pressure to win immediately in Seattle.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Kade Anderson Suffers Forearm Contusion on Saturday
Seattle Mariners rookie left-hander Kade Anderson (forearm) had X-rays come back negative after he was hit by a comebacker on his left forearm in his start on Saturday against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Anderson and the Mariners avoided a significant scare in Anderson's final start of what has been a stellar debut season in the professional ranks. Before leaving after 3 1/3 innings of work at T-Mobile Park, Anderson did not allow a run on four hits while walking just one and striking out four to lower his season ERA to 3.79. The 22-year-old former third overall pick from LSU was as dominant as they come in the minors in 2026 before being called up to join Seattle's big-league starting rotation late in the year. In his seven starts for the M's, Anderson went 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 32 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings pitched. He dominated at Double-A Arkansas, posting a 1.06 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and 135:13 K:BB in 18 starts over 93 1/3 frames. Anderson is one of the best young arms in all of baseball and should have a rotation spot locked up to begin the 2027 campaign.
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Logan Gilbert Struggling to Limit Power Down the Stretch of 2026
Across 182 innings (31 starts) in 2026, Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert has recorded a 12-11 record with a 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 197 strikeouts. While Gilbert has still been a very useful pitcher for fantasy managers, he hasn't been quite as dominant this season as he has been in his peak years. After posting a 32.3% strikeout rate in 2025, Gilbert's strikeout rate has fallen to 26.7% in 2026. The 29-year-old's numbers have taken a considerable hit lately, as he's posted a 6.65 ERA across 21 2/3 innings in September. Surrendering the long ball has been a major issue for Gilbert in the second half of the season. Across 56 1/3 innings (10 starts) since the beginning of August, Gilbert has allowed 14 home runs (2.20 HR/9). Heading into his final scheduled start of 2026 against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for the usually dependable Gilbert.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Sloan Shows Off Potential In Minor Leagues
Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Ryan Sloan spent all season at Double-A Arkansas and showed off why he is a highly regarded prospect for the Mariners. Sloan started 22 games for the Arkansas Travelers and compiled a 4-4 record with 128 strikeouts in 101 1/3 innings with a 3.73 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. At age 20, Sloan had a nice season at the Double-A level and displayed why he is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Seattle system. He has a 60-grade fastball and changeup combination with a 55-grade secondary pitch in his slider. Sloan could use another year in the minors potentially but also could push the Mariners to promote him to the major leagues. It will be interesting to see how his development progresses next year. He could be worth a draft selection next year with an outside shot of making his MLB debut at some point in 2027.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Kade Anderson a Key Waiver-Wire Target for Final Stretch
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Kade Anderson was called up to make his MLB debut two weeks ago. His three starts since the call-up haven't been otherworldly, but he still has the strikeout upside necessary to make him an impactful starting pitcher in fantasy baseball for the final stretch of the season. Anderson has a 5.40 ERA through his three starts, but the 3.17 FIP doesn't look quite as bad. The ball-in-play metrics are solid, but we'd like to see him harness his strikeout, walk, and home run rates over a larger sample size. His 6.60 K/9 rate in the majors is essentially half of his rate from the minors this year, and his 4.20 BB/9 and 1.80 HR/9 rates are both key reasons why his ERA is so high. Getting called up midseason could be the main reason why Anderson has been a little shaky in the majors, and we have no concerns about his ability to produce long-term. Meanwhile, in the short-term, there's still a window for him to turn things around if he can attack the strike zone and miss more bats. He's an intriguing stash in September because if he makes those corrections, he'll have a huge fantasy baseball impact. He currently ranks as the #30 starter in RotoBaller's latest rest-of-season fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bryce Miller Set to Return to Mariners Rotation
Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller is set to return to the team's starting rotation following right-hander Emerson Hancock's (groin) placement on the 15-day injured list, per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Mariners manager Dan Wilson said on Friday that Miller was temporarily being moved into a bullpen role. However, the injury to Hancock will move Miller back into the rotation before he made a single appearance out of the pen. Across 94 innings on the year, Miller has recorded a 4-8 record with a 4.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts. While the 28-year-old's overall numbers are respectable, he struggled to a 9.00 ERA across 20 innings in August. Still, Miller has posted a solid 24.6% strikeout rate while walking just 6.6% of the batters he's faced this season. His next start is likely to come on Wednesday at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox.
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Bryce Miller Temporarily Demoted to Bullpen
According to Daniel Kramer, Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller is temporarily being moved to the bullpen. Mariners manager Dan Wilson confirmed the news on Friday that the struggling right-hander will shift to the pen for now. Over his last eight starts, Miller is 0-6 with a horrendous 7.19 ERA. It doesn't sound like Miller is fully healthy right now, so they might move him to the Injured List if he continues to struggle. The Mariners will go with a traditional five-man rotation with Miller getting the boot. Miller will likely pitch in low-leverage spots, which won't result in much fantasy value.
Source: Daniel Kramer
Source: Daniel Kramer
Kade Anderson Can Make a Difference Down the Stretch
The Seattle Mariners called up their top pitching prospect last weekend in left-hander Kade Anderson, and he nearly recorded a quality start in his major-league debut against the Chicago Cubs, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out five in 5 2/3 innings pitched last Saturday. The 22-year-old southpaw, who is ranked as Seattle's top overall prospect at MLB Pipeline, threw four shutout innings last Saturday before allowing two solo home runs in the sixth frame. MLB Pipeline also has Anderson ranked as the top left-handed pitching prospect in all of baseball after the former third overall pick from LSU went 10-1 with a 1.06 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and 135:13 K:BB in 93 1/3 innings across 18 starts at Double-A Arkansas this year before getting the call to the Show. Anderson, who is already rostered in nearly 60% of Yahoo leagues, can absolutely be a difference-maker for fantasy pitching staffs in the final month of the regular season in September, and he will have a plus second matchup as a member of the M's this weekend in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Scoop him up now if you need starting pitching help.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Bryan Woo 100 Percent Confident he Can Start on Wednesday
Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (shoulder) is "100% confident" that he can make his scheduled start on Wednesday at home against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to The Seattle Times' Adam Jude. Woo had his last start on Aug. 16 cut short due to soreness in his right shoulder, and the Mariners skipped his last scheduled start over the weekend against the Chicago Cubs. The 26-year-old threw a successful bullpen session on Sunday, though, and thinks he will be cleared to toe the rubber this Wednesday. Fantasy managers will want to be cautious with his start this week while coming off an injury, although he will be on extra rest. Woo allowed 10 earned runs with four walks and 13 strikeouts in 10 innings in his final two starts of July against the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers, but he's rebounded in three starts in August against the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Astros, allowing just two earned runs with three walks and 15 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched. He is 9-8 in 2026 with a 4.10 ERA (3.29 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 137 strikeouts and only 29 walks in 138 1/3 innings across his 24 starts on the year in his fourth year in the majors.
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Bryce Miller Loses Consecutive Starts by at Least 17 Runs
Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller became the first pitcher since George Van Haltren of the 1890 Brooklyn Wonders to lose consecutive starts by at least 17 runs, according to ESPN Insights. In the Mariners' 19-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, Miller allowed six earned runs on two hits (two homers) while walking seven and striking out five in 4 1/3 innings for his eighth loss of the year. In his previous outing, a 22-0 shutout loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, he gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out three in 4 2/3 innings. The Seattle Times' Adam Jude reports that Miller admitted after Sunday's loss that he has dealt with a minor right-lat injury since his July 24 start against the division-rival Texas Rangers. He allowed five earned runs to Texas on that day and has a 7.92 ERA with 15 walks and 21 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings in his last six starts for Seattle. Fantasy managers should be avoiding Miller in his next scheduled outing this Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays, and he could be relegated to the bullpen once Bryan Woo returns from his shoulder injury.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
