Seattle Mariners Now Listening on George Kirby

The Seattle Mariners have begun listening to trade inquiries for pitcher George Kirby, a notable change from their earlier position. This development occurred just five days after initial reports indicated he was unavailable. Multiple clubs have since approached Seattle, believing the right-hander could be moved before the trade deadline.

This shift in stance is attributed to the Mariners' recent performance, marked by a series of losses that have pushed them below .500. The team's struggles have prompted a re-evaluation of their trade deadline strategy, moving beyond simply acquiring a reliever or a right-handed bat.

Kirby, an All-Star with excellent command and top-tier pitching talent, has two more seasons of club control after 2026. His availability, despite a 3.98 ERA through 21 starts, makes him a prime target for contending teams.

Any potential trade involving Kirby would require a substantial return, ideally a controllable, middle-of-the-order hitter capable of complementing Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh. The Mariners seem to recognize that their pitching surplus must translate into offensive strength to improve the team's overall competitiveness.