Inside The Cardinals

Mariners Should Sign Ex-Cardinals All-Star In Wake Of Concerning George Kirby Injury

The former St. Louis veteran would be a solid addition to Seattle's rotation
Nate Hagerty|
Sep 20, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby (68) walks off the field after the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby (68) walks off the field after the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

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St. Louis CardinalsSeattle Mariners

The St. Louis Cardinals aimed to shed payroll this offseason, resulting in several former pitchers having no other option but to seek the free-agent market.

For instance, 2011 World Series champion Lance Lynn's 2025 club option was declined, forcing the aging 37-year-old to seek a free-agent deal, which he has yet to find.

Another Cardinals veteran hurler searching for a new landing spot after his club option was also declined this winter could find his new home with the Seattle Mariners following the latest blow to their rotation.

Mariners right-handed pitcher George Kirby will likely begin the 2025 season on the 15-day injured list after recently being sidelined due to shoulder inflammation in his throwing arm, according to Seattle general manager Justin Hollander.

Although Kirby isn't yet expected to miss a significant amount of playing time this upcoming season, signing RHP Kyle Gibson to compensate for losing the Mariners All-Star in the rotation might not be such a bad idea.

Seattle's rotation contains five starters who are 27 years old or younger, with Luis Castillo being the odd man out at 32.

Considering how young the Mariners' rotation is, adding a 37-year-old Gibson to the mix could benefit Seattle's youth-laden arsenal.

Gibson posted an 8-8 record with a 4.24 ERA, 151-to-68 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .251 batting average against and a 1.35 WHIP in 169 2/3 innings pitched for the Cardinals in 2024.

Although Gibson's skill set might be inferior to Kirby's, the Mariners could use the All-Star veteran's leadership and wisdom to strengthen their young rotation further.

The 12-year veteran still wants to compete and since he hasn't landed a free-agent contract this offseason, Seattle could likely sign Gibson for a relatively inexpensive price -- a potential low-risk, high-reward scenario.

More MLB: Cardinals Dodged Bullet By Moving On From Recently Injured All-Star Hurler

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Nate Hagerty
NATE HAGERTY

Nate Hagerty joined “Inside The Cardinals” as a content creator to spread knowledge about his favorite childhood team. A hometown native of Boston, Hagerty chose at an early age of six years old to follow the St. Louis Cardinals. The miraculous season of 04’ for the Red Sox did not deter Hagerty from rooting against his hometown team, nor did it in 2013 against the Red Birds. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu 

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