Mariners Bolster Bullpen by Acquiring Josh Simpson

The Mariners swung a cash deal to bring in left-hander Josh Simpson from the Miami Marlins. They also made a roster move by placing right-hander Logan Evans on the 60-day injured list.

Evans recently had UCL surgery and now faces a lost 2026 season. That opened a spot on Seattle’s 40-man roster for Simpson.

This trade weaves together a story of opportunity for a pitcher who impressed in the minors but hit some rough patches in the big leagues during 2023 and 2024.

Trade details and roster implications

Seattle’s front office dipped into the Marlins’ payroll flexibility with a cash deal for Simpson. By shifting Evans to the 60-day injured list, they preserved the 40-man balance.

The shuffle suggests the Mariners want more mound depth and don’t mind taking a swing on a lefty who’s shown both promise and inconsistency. Miami designated Simpson for assignment before the deal, a pretty typical move when teams need to clear 40-man space.

Simpson now enters Seattle’s bullpen plans, bringing a different look from the left side. He’ll get a shot to prove himself over a full season with the Mariners.

Evans’ injury clears a spot but also removes a bullpen arm for 2026. Seattle will have to lean more on younger pitchers and hope their depth pays off.

Josh Simpson: The pitcher entering Seattle’s bullpen picture

Josh Simpson is a lefty whose pro journey has had both encouraging climbs and bumpy stretches in the majors. He missed most of 2024 with an elbow issue but bounced back with a strong three-month run at Triple-A last year. He put up a 3.41 ERA during that time.

That run earned him a big-league shot with the Marlins. He debuted by giving up four earned runs in two innings against Atlanta, then turned in eight straight scoreless relief appearances.

Things got rough as he faced tougher lineups. Simpson allowed 17 earned runs over his next 12 outings, capped by a brutal seven-run game against Atlanta in September.

He finished with a high 7.34 ERA in the majors. But the underlying numbers—xFIP and SIERA under 4.50, a strikeout rate near 24%, and a ground-ball rate around 53.9%—hint there’s more potential than the surface stats show.

Seattle’s betting those peripherals translate if Simpson finds a groove and some confidence in their bullpen.

Logan Evans: the injury and roster move

Evans’ long absence comes after UCL surgery in late January, which knocks him out for all of 2026. Putting him on the 60-day injured list freed up a 40-man spot and made space for a lefty like Simpson.

Evans contributed out of the bullpen when healthy, but now there’s a long-term gap. Simpson and other arms will get their chance to fill it.

Seattle seems comfortable addressing the void with a pitcher who’s found success at Triple-A and is still adjusting to the majors. They’re clearly pushing for depth, especially in a season where the bullpen will face plenty of pressure late in games and when matchups get tricky.

Performance snapshot: From Triple-A to the big leagues

• Triple-A strikeouts and ERA: 3.41 ERA over three months in 2023-24. That’s a strong sign he can rebound.
• MLB debut: four earned runs in two innings vs. Atlanta, then eight straight scoreless relief outings.
• Post-debut stretch: gave up 17 earned runs over 12 appearances, including a seven-run September game vs. Atlanta.
• Peripherals: xFIP and SIERA both under 4.50. The high ERA might not tell the whole story—he also had a 24% strikeout rate and a 53.9% ground-ball rate in the majors.

What this could mean for Seattle’s bullpen in 2026

Seattle’s move lets them tap into left-handed bullpen depth with a pitcher who, on paper, could offer some stability in tight spots. Simpson’s strong ground-ball rate and decent strikeout numbers give him a real shot at a long- or middle-relief role when the pressure’s on.

If he can channel those early peripherals and tighten up his command, maybe the Mariners wind up with a valuable bullpen piece in a year when every inning will count. It’s not a sure thing, but sometimes you’ve got to take the gamble.

Bottom-line takeaways for Mariners fans

The Josh Simpson move, along with Logan Evans’ injury setback, shows that Seattle’s willing to take a chance on a young lefty. He’s got a solid minor-league track record and has flashed some promise in the majors.

2026 could be a real test for Simpson. Can he turn all those underlying numbers into real, steady results?

For now, Mariners fans should keep an eye on his spring and early-season outings. Sometimes just a few clean innings can set the tone for the bullpen, especially in a year that might really matter.

 
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