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.
You don’t just throw cash considerations around for anyone!
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
That just means they’re due!
True, though Bazardo got it together this year and Speier returned to form.
It’s kind of funny that two relievers slipped through their hands and had success with other teams this season: Will Klein and Drew Pomeranz.
It’s official, the Snell trade was a bust.
SD didn’t mind it.
I take it you’re enjoying that World Series he helped LA win?
GOAT – you have to do better than that based on how BS pitched in 2 lost games in the WS.
So we’re just going to pretend like he didn’t kill it during the rest of the postseason? I know it has been a while for SD, but you do have to win those rounds too to make it to the World Series.
“That World Series that he helped them win”
Just saying that statement is not accurate.
You want to modify what you said to say, “he helped get them to the WS”?
No problem there but, that isn’t what you said that brought my comment.
Again, have to get through those rounds to win the World Series, so it is “that World Series he helped them win.” They don’t give rings to those who just play in the World Series for a reason. No edit needed, but thanks for trying to help. I wouldn’t expect a San Diego fan to understand.
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.
I’d much rather have Williamson and Young, than Polanco and Geno next year. I’d have preferred that we didn’t trade our future first baseman, Locklear for Geno, in the first place. Bad trades across the board, save Naylor, to appease Raleigh.
I don’t think Locklear is going to be anything but AAAA material.
Locklear is not likely a future starting 1B on a playoff caliber team. M’s dont win west and make it as far as they do without Geno. Geno struck out a ton but still hit 16 HRs and 39 RBIs after the trade and was a threat in the middle of the order of the lineup. Both Geno and Naylor were solid trades
Outside of the ACLS game 5 homers, Geno can’t hit in Seattle. Emerson can take over 3rd when he’s ready. Williamson can keep his spot warm.
Keep Emerson at SS
“In Williamson’s first 11 games since returning to Triple-A, he’s hit .341 with a .453 on-base percentage and .614 OPS for a 1.067 OPS. That’s included a double, a triple and three home runs out of his 15 hits in 52 plate appearances ” Seattle Sports
Williamson will hit in MLB. He just needs a little time. Emerson will play SS once JP Crawford moves on.
Toy
Geno has proven twice he can’t hit in Seattle. I love the guy as much as anyone but we can’t have a guy that is a HR hitter that can’t hit at home. Williamson will hold Colts spot until he is ready.
Polanco is an either way for me. If we are going to sign a DH only guy there are better ones out there. Not sure if there are guys that have proven they can hit at TMobile that are available in FA or trade. A guy like Trout who kills it here. Find a guy like that sign him and let Young grow some more. Young is our long term 2nd bm so let him grow.
orioles should have claimed him or offered more cash
Why call him up just to designate him after one appearance? Would have been smarter to keep him off the 40 and take their chances on no one taking him in R5 again.
Both players and management need change. To start, I hope Dan Wilson has learned from watching Dodgers Dave Roberts manage his team. If not, Wilson need to walk the plank.
American League manager of the year finalist Dan Wilson? That “management”? Time to find a new team Eeore; there is room on the Dodgers bandwagon.
While I agree Dan made some interesting moves in reg season and the playoffs he did a great job overall. I am not sure if he has someone to talk to about his moves but he needs a sounding board. Not sure how Lou is doing he would be a great one though. Brought him to Seattle and are good friends. Dan needs a little more seasoning that is all. I like Kinders Garlic Pepper.
Let’s go and get Skubal. A Kirby package for Tarik should get it done.
Geno isn’t coming back. But the M’s Top priority remains Josh Naylor. No matter what! And Polanco if possible too.
Ben Williamson can be recalled to man 3B. Hopefully he has more in the tank than just defense this time around. Colt Emerson also might have a shot to make the squad out of Spring Training.
Need to fortify the bullpen this year too. Just missed getting Duran until the Phillies swooped in at the last minute.
Agree on Ford taking over for Garver. That’ll save $12M a year. But M’s need a WAR Daddy like Skubal. Kade Anderson might get called up at some point this year as well.
@Ben10 (awesome show, BTW), I worry about placing too much responsibility on the kids, especially those who have not played in the majors yet. There is a HUGE difference between AAA and MLB, but they have to get some seasoning soon. Young and Williamson will be in their second seasons, so they should be more comfortable with the workload (Williamson, especially, seemed tired at the end of the MLB run, but refreshed his mind and body in AAA). But, if the 6-9 batters are some combination of Williamson, Crawford, Young, and Robles/Canzone, there is going to be a problem.. The team could use an annoying guy like Steven Kwan to play RF (he currently plays LF), but the teams don’t really match up well, unless the Guardians are okay with top prospects Arroyo, and Montes along with Canzone and Ford and the Guardians include Kwan and Bo Naylor (to play with his brother again as a backup C), along with a good LHR reclamation project like Josh Hartle, who the Mariners might turn into gold (or at least silver).
Then, you’ve added one more bat and only Williamson, Young, and Crawford are the potential problem hitters.
Just a thought.
-Ben10- Tigers aren’t trading Tank when they have made it to the playoff 2 yrs in a row. Just like the M’s, they have to add not add by subtracting.
-Zippy-with that trade package they could net a much more annoying guy than Kwan, Bo & a lotto ticket.
Kwan will be a FA in 2028 so this year and next will be expensive for the Indians.
They may just take a prospect and a lotto ticket to rid themselves of the arb salary due.
And where does the current LF go, Yankees for a bucket of packaged seed?
The M’s didn’t have to clean out the closet for the summer pickups so there’s no way they flip 3 of their top 7 prospects for an annoying guy, his brother and some fools gold (or fools silver for you)
Recalculate and try again.
Skubal only has 1 year left on his contract. Do not be so sure of that.
A Kirby package is not subtracting when you look at what they are acquiring in future assets and not having to fork over the dollars to keep him. Kirby is an Ace in his own right and a cheaper and more controllable option for a couple more years.
sports.mynorthwest.com/mlb/seattle-mariners/should…
Good thoughts. I agree on not putting too much pressure on the young kids as well. Which is why bringing back Polanco would be vital towards bringing up Cole Young and integrating him appropriately. I also think Leo Rivas could take over as the full time Utility now that Dylan Moore has left that wide open.
If you’re not completely sold on the idea of Harry Ford spelling Cal behind the dish, Tom Murphy has just been released by San Francisco and is a free agent this offseason.
And Colt Emerson is a real possibility to make the squad this Spring. He’s that close! Otherwise you need to go out and bring in a veteran to help shore up the infield corners if you’re not fully convinced. A trade could be in our future there otherwise. Although I have no clue as to who it could be or they would target.
I like Montes, but his swing and miss are a bit much for me right now. We had too many strikeout hitters in the playoffs and the Tigers exposed that in the ALDS, same with Toronto. We need to acquire more contact balance, especially 7-9.
I like Crawford, and he is the heart and soul of this clubhouse. And when you throw on his contract I don’t think he’s going anywhere this year.
This offseason is full of all kinds of possibilities. The M’s need to push their chips in a fully go for it in my opinion.
Good stuff!
Since Kirby is an Ace in his own right and a cheaper more controllable option why would the M’s trade 2-3 top 10 prospects w/ Kirby only to raise payroll for a spot that isn’t a glaring hole while also having no chance to sign Skubal to an extension?
Future assets rarely work out & they don’t help now. Skubal will be paid less than Randy Arozarena so the cash isn’t the issue. Skubal is better than Kirby so it is adding by subtracting for the Tigers.
Where are the holes on the Mariners, rotation or infield?
I’m all in for Cal & Ford running the dish & DH’ing but C’mon Man, Murphy! He spent 2 broken yrs in SF and he has a case against SF and the Dr for misdiagnosing his injury and treating the wrong part of his body. This will be his 35th year, he is done.
Colt Emerson does not have a real possibility to make the squad this Spring. Zero, Zip & Nada. He isn’t as close as fans want/THINK.
He has 161 PA over 34 games in AA and 27 PA over 6 games in AAA. He just left Everett on Aug 8th.
If his hit tools are so loud that he’s starting on the 2026 opening day roster then he would have been up at the 2025 deadline but he was in AA.
It’s Cal’s clubhouse not JPs. The heart and soul of this team runs through Cal not JP or Juilo or anyone else.
JP is more likely to be traded because the depth behind him and its the last yr on his deal. M’s wont bring him back at the price point he wants so this is it for him.
Skubal is superior and a Lefty, which we currently don’t have. Kade Anderson is highly thought of and on the cusp, but he’s unproven and projected only as a #3. Skubal is that consensus CY Yound contending pitcher that can pitch 3 times if need be in a 7 game series. He brings balance to the rotation. And why would the Mariners not have a chance to sign Skubal? Lol!! Castillo’s contract is nearly up and that’s $25M per year that you could use towards whatever it would take to land him, which is probably more. As you said, Arozarena’s contract will be expiring as well. So the M’s could potentially have the money to make it work. It just makes so much sense and signals to the rest of the league, we’re going for it! Kind of like we did at the trade deadline last year.
Harry Ford will be the eventual catcher that spells Raleigh, and I’m not willing to bet that the M’s are going to splurge heavily on a back up catcher. But Murphy is familiar and already knows our pitching staff. He’d be a great non-roster Spring Training invite to see if he has anything left in the tank. But don’t waste money going out of your way to sign a veteran back up. Murphy could be a soft landing to getting Ford acclimated to the Majors until he is ready.
Disagree completely on Colt. The Mariners have a hole at 3B, and if he hits and plays well like Williamson did in Spring Training, he could easily find himself on the roster. Unless the M’s go out and make plans and sign someone like Luis Urias to hold hold down the position, but that sounds like what they’ll be doing with Ben. And Colt easily offers more upside and offense than Williamson, its just a matter of how soon.
JP’s been the heart and soul of this clubhouse before Cal was in the Majors. He’s been the captain of the clubhouse and Cal has stepped up admirably after Crawford took him under his wing. And the M’s would be insane to trade JP! That’d be like ripping the heart and chemistry out of the entire clubhouse. Worst mistake they could ever make!
Castillo has a no-trade clause in his contract and is signed for 3 more seasons. That said, teams are always looking for starting pitching. Rumor has it that Skubal will get $400M. That is more than the M’s would pay. But wait! The CBA expires at the end of the season. The owners want a hard cap. If they get their way, certainly the top end guys like Skubal will have their paycheck restricted. Maybe nobody gets more than 5 years at $30M?
Harry Ford’s time has arrived. He can only build his value playing with Cal. He gets to learn to hit MLB pitching without the stress of needing to play and lead every day.
Colt is a natural SS and the best we have. JP is slowing down. Like Ford, Emerson will benefit from a platoon situation. The M’s will probably get offers for JP. Leo Rivas has 200 innings at SS. If they believe Colt Emerson is ready or are willing to let Leo Rivas hold done the spot for a half year JP could be moved
Good points all around.
Another Mariner prospect named Cole.
Was there another one?