The Seattle Mariners are still far from the stage of closely monitoring the standings, as spring training remains a time for self-reflection and internal adjustments. With Opening Day against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park just around the corner, their focus is entirely on preparing their roster for the long season ahead.
That said, they probably don’t mind the latest development coming out of the Texas Rangers’ camp.
Rangers Scramble to Fill Rotation Holes
Texas, the reigning World Series champions, has suddenly found itself in a precarious pitching situation. With Cody Bradford sidelined due to elbow soreness and Jon Gray recovering from a fractured wrist, the Rangers are short on reliable starters. In response, they signed veteran left-hander Patrick Corbin to a one-year deal worth just over $1 million, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
While this move might give the Rangers a temporary solution, it could actually be a favorable development for the Mariners and other AL West contenders.
The Risk of Relying on Patrick Corbin
It’s not necessarily enjoyable to criticize Corbin, who has had a solid 12-year MLB career, earning two All-Star appearances and a World Series ring. Financially, he’s done well too, amassing over $150 million in career earnings, mostly from a six-year deal with the Washington Nationals that concluded in 2024.
Durability has never been Corbin’s issue. In an era where true workhorse pitchers are becoming rare, he ranks fourth in innings pitched and batters faced since 2017. If Texas simply needs someone to eat innings, Corbin fits the bill.
However, the problem is that he has also become one of the most hittable pitchers in baseball. Since his performance started declining in 2020, he has consistently allowed over 10 hits per nine innings every season. Over the past five years, he has surrendered 139 more hits and 83 more runs than any other pitcher in MLB.
Unless the Rangers see something in Corbin that other teams don’t, it’s difficult to imagine him suddenly reversing this trend. His expected batting average in 2024 was a staggering.295—higher than what Rangers star Corey Seager was expected to hit offensively.
Mariners Have an Early Opportunity to Capitalize
While it’s too soon to declare the AL West race decided, the Mariners might already hold an advantage. According to FanGraphs, they have a 32.7% chance of winning the division, slightly ahead of the Houston Astros (30.5%) and Rangers (28.1%).
If recent history is any indication, it will be another tight battle. In 2023, the Mariners, Rangers, and Astros were separated by just two games in the standings. Last season, Seattle finished only 3.5 games behind Houston. With another close race expected, every opportunity to gain an edge will be crucial.
That’s why the Mariners will be particularly interested in facing Corbin, should he remain in the Rangers’ rotation. Their first six matchups against Texas fall within the first 33 games of the season, whereas they will only face Houston three times in their first 48 contests.
Corbin likely won’t be ready for the first Mariners-Rangers series at T-Mobile Park from April 11-13. However, when Seattle visits Arlington from May 2-4, there’s a strong chance they could face him—and if his recent form holds, it could be a prime opportunity to capitalize.
Will Corbin Last in the Rangers’ Rotation?
Whether Corbin remains in Texas’ rotation beyond early May will depend on several factors. If Bradford and Gray return quickly, or if Corbin struggles significantly, his stay in the rotation could be short-lived. The Rangers’ depth remains questionable, with Jacob deGrom, Tyler Mahle, and Kumar Rocker all having durability concerns of their own.
For the Mariners, it wouldn’t be the worst outcome if Corbin sticks around for a while. With seven more meetings against the Rangers after those first six, every game he starts could be an advantage for Seattle in what is shaping up to be another highly competitive AL West race.
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