Mariners acquire Cole Wilcox and Jorge Polanco declines option

The Seattle Mariners announced several roster moves on Wednesday, including reinstating three players from the Injured List.

The 2025 MLB season might be over, but the wheels of the Seattle Mariners’ organization keep turning in the sport which never sleeps. On Wednesday Executive Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations Justin Hollander announced several intriguing roster moves, including the acquisition of a new pitcher.

The Mariners completed a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for Cole Wilcox, in exchange for cash considerations. The righty had been designated for assignment by the Rays on Monday and he will now look to get his career back on track in Seattle.

There was plenty of intrigue surrounding Wilcox ahead of the 2020 draft with him viewed as a first round talent, before he fell to the third round due to concerns about if he would sign. He then put these concerns to bed by agreeing a record third-round signing bonus of $3.3 million with the San Diego Padres.

Cole Wilcox has been unable to catch a break

Despite having a tremendous pitching repertoire headlined by a dynamic fastball, Wilcox didn’t get to pitch in 2020 due to COVID-19 resulting in the season being cancelled. He never did get an opportunity with the Padres organization, as by the end of the year he had been traded to the Rays as part of a return package for Blake Snell.

Almost immediately considered one of the Rays’ top prospects, Wilcox started off well by producing a 2.03 ERA and 0.857 WHIP during 10 starts (44.1 combined innings) in Single-A Charleston. However, he then suffered another setback as he had to undergo Tommy John surgery in September 2021.

Since returning to action in August 2022, the reality is that Wilcox has struggled to bounce back from his surgery and is now being used as a reliever rather than a rotation option. He has a career 3.90 ERA and 1.255 WHIP in 109 minor league games (369.0 combined innings), including a .410 ERA and 1.400 WHIP in 42 appearances (90.0 combined innings) at the Triple-A level specifically over the past two seasons.

Wilcox finally made his Major League debut on Sept. 19 this year versus the Boston Red Sox, but it didn’t go well as he allowed four hits, three walks and seven runs (three earned) in one inning. The Mariners have a strong track record with reclamation projects involving relievers during Jerry Dipoto’s time in Seattle, and fans will be hoping for another success story with the 26-year-old.

So long Jorge Polanco?

As expected, Jorge Polanco declined his 2026 player option in Seattle for $6 million and has now officially become a free agent. There is mutual interest in the second baseman re-signing with the Mariners, but it depends how much more they are prepared to offer him, with estimates predicting it will take roughly double the aforementioned $6 million.

This past season was one of redemption for Polanco after coming off the worst year of his Major League career in 2024. Highlights included a .821 OPS and career-high 134 OPS+ and he will now deservedly be rewarded, whether it be in Seattle or elsewhere.

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A trio of Mariners return from injury

The Mariners also announced the reinstatement of three players from the 60-day Injured List. This included infielder Ryan Bliss (torn left biceps), along with pitchers Gregory Santos (right knee inflammation) and Trent Thornton (torn left Achilles).

Bliss will be aiming to bounce back after showing promise in 2024, Santos has yet to get going in two injury-riddled years in Seattle and Thornton has regressed since a tremendous 2023 campaign. With all these moves the Mariners 40-man roster is now at 37 players.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rogers Photography

What is your opinion on the acquisition of Wilcox? Do you think Polanco will re-sign in Seattle or is he gone for good? Which of the three players reinstated from the Injured List do you predict will have the biggest impact with the Mariners next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.