The Mariners have acquired right-hander Cole Wilcox from the Rays in exchange for cash considerations, per announcements from both clubs. The righty had been designated for assignment by the Rays earlier in the week. The M’s had 40-man space thanks to players recently becoming free agents.
Wilcox, now 26, came to the Rays in the December 2020 trade which sent Blake Snell to San Diego. The righty required Tommy John surgery in September of 2021, which wiped out most of his 2022. In the following two years, the Rays kept developing him as a starter in the minors, with fairly uninspiring results. In 250 1/3 innings over those two seasons, he had a 4.28 earned run average, 19.8% strikeout rate and 8.3% walk rate.
In 2025, he was used primarily as a reliever, which seemed to help him find a new gear. He tossed 58 1/3 innings over 39 appearances on the farm with a 3.70 ERA. His 10.8% walk rate was a bit high but he struck out 25.1% of batters faced and got grounders on 50.3% of balls in play. The Rays added him to the 40-man in September and he tossed one big league inning, allowing three earned runs.
With the injured list going away this week, the Rays needed to open up some roster space and Wilcox was one of the casualties. Conversely, the Mariners had a few open roster spots and have used one to grab Wilcox. Seattle has a pretty good track record of coaxing good results from low-profile pickups like this, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Wilcox flourish with his new club. Even if that is setting expectations too high, he has a full slate of options and can serve as a depth arm in Triple-A.
Photo courtesy of Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images
New set-up guy in June just dropped
Thinking this might be another solid find for the bullpen.
I agree with both of you, I am sure that the M’s see something positive in him.
Cole Wilcox was selected out of the University of Georgia in the third round of the 2020 draft after the Mariners took another tall UGA right-hander, Emerson Hancock, in the first round.
Mariners have their own pitching clinic so I wouldn’t be surprised they turn him into a quality bullpen piece.
it’s been less reliable the last 2 years, more duds in the bullpen
It’s official, the Snell trade was a bust.
SD didn’t mind it.
Great. Now get Naylor, Polanco and Geno all re-signed and will be all set for 2026. Williamson and Young can provide help from the bench. Ford can replace Garver. Then later when Emerson and Montes are ready they can replace Crawford and Robles or Dom. Easy Peasy.
lookout landed
Naylor for sure.
Geno is great for the club house but is an all or nothing hitter who hits long dry spells. I am ok with letting Polanco walk, he’s DH only and I would prefer the M’s to spend a little more for a player who is able to field as well.