Mariners: Who Deserves a Starter Extension — Gilbert, Kirby, or Woo

Title: Which Mariners Starter Should Get the Long-Term Extension?

The Seattle Mariners find themselves in a classic bind: if they can only lock up one of their “Big Three” starters, who should it be for the next five to seven years? This isn’t just about stats—there’s a whole lot of nuance in weighing consistency, elite upside, and breakout potential between Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and Bryan Woo.

And, honestly, it’s not lost on anyone that the author totally misread Woo’s trajectory last year. Fans are encouraged to jump into the comments and share their own takes. Building around a pitcher isn’t just a spreadsheet exercise—it’s about timing, durability, and figuring out when a guy’s really peaking.

The Big Three at a Glance

Seattle’s rotation has three very different cases for a multi-year extension.

There’s Logan Gilbert, the guy you can count on every five days, who’s basically the definition of reliable. Then you’ve got George Kirby, whose raw stuff is borderline electric, but his results can swing wildly. And of course, Bryan Woo—the breakout story no one saw coming—who flipped the script after shaking off some health worries. The front office has to decide: which path do you bet on for the long haul?

Logan Gilbert: The Consistent Rock

Gilbert has built the most solid resume of the group, anchoring the rotation with a steady presence. Managers love that kind of stability, especially when everything else seems to shift around them.

Still, there’s chatter about whether Gilbert’s already shown his best, or if there’s more left in the tank. Maybe he can tweak his pitch mix or figure out new ways to attack hitters. Either way, his dependability gives the Mariners a foundation. Teams don’t win without guys who just keep showing up and getting outs, even if the highlight reels aren’t always about them.

George Kirby: Elite Stuff, But the Floor and Ceiling Are Both High-Variance

Kirby gets a lot of love for his raw stuff—he can make hitters look silly when he’s locked in. His delivery is smooth, and when he’s on, he barely gives up hard contact.

But it’s not always smooth sailing. Some nights, his command drifts and things unravel. Kirby can look like an ace one week and get roughed up the next. The big question: do you gamble on that upside, hoping the rough patches get fewer as he matures? Or do you worry about tying up years and dollars in someone whose performance can swing so much? If he stays healthy, the ceiling’s sky-high, but betting on volatility always feels risky.

Bryan Woo: The Breakout That Realigned Expectations

Bryan Woo came in with more questions than answers, mostly about his health and whether his stuff would play at this level. He didn’t just answer—he kind of shouted it, leading the Mariners with a 4.2 WAR season.

The author’s preseason pick was actually Bryce Miller, so there’s a bit of humble pie being eaten here. Woo’s rise really messes with the calculus: do you reward the hot hand, or stick with the guy who’s been there longer and shown he can handle the grind?

Weighing the Decision: Who Should Receive the Long-Term Extension?

This choice really depends on what a franchise values most—consistency, upside, or the speed of a breakout. If the Mariners want established consistency, Gilbert gives them a steady, reliable anchor who could age well and stay relevant late into his career.

If they’re chasing elite upside with high variance, Kirby becomes the long-term bet. He could turn into the ace that changes the rotation’s whole identity.

Maybe the goal is to guard against regression but still lock in recent performance. In that case, Woo is the risk-taker’s choice—banking on the idea that health and development might unlock huge value, and fast.

• Consistency vs. ceiling: Gilbert brings safety but not many surprises. Kirby offers a higher ceiling but more volatility. Woo trades his current breakout for the hope of future dominance.
• Health and durability: Woo’s future really depends on staying healthy. Gilbert’s shown he can handle a workload, while Kirby’s long-term durability is still something to watch.
• Long-term impact on the roster: The extension should fit with how the Mariners want to balance payroll, depth, and their shot at division titles down the road.

So, who would you sign to the next big contract, and why? Drop your thoughts in the comments and jump into the debate—maybe your take nudges Seattle one way or the other.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Question of the day – Which Mariners starter to extend: Gilbert, Kirby, or Woo?