We've talked a lot about the bullpen situation for the Seattle Mariners entering 2026, and we talked about it even further after the team traded for left-hander Jose Ferrer last weekend.

But, I'll admit: The one guy I haven't talked about as much, the one guy that I've forgotten about as I think about everything? Emerson Hancock, who is actually in a very difficult spot heading into the season. Let's explain:

About Hancock

Now 26 years old, Hancock was a first-round pick of the Mariners in 2020 out of the University of Georgia. He's played a valuable role for the M's each of the last two years, serving as an injury replacement in the starting rotation. He went 4-4 in 12 starts in 2024 and then went 4-5 in 22 appearances (16 starts) in 2025. The Mariners moved him to the bullpen at the end of the season and he made the playoff roster.

Seattle has said they'll bring him to camp as a starter and then transition him to the bullpen through the spring if that's where they decide they need him, but again, he's in a precarious spot.

As a starter

The Mariners have a full five-man rotation with Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller. Assuming everyone is healthy, Hancock doesn't have a role there. Even if someone is hurt in spring training, there's no guarantee that Hancock will beat out Logan Evans for the spot. And with the likes of Jurrangelo Cijntje and Ryan Sloan coming in the farm system, Hancock could get pushed further down the depth chart - and soon.

As a reliever

Seattle figures to have six spots in the bullpen already accounted for with Andres Munoz, Matt Brash, Eduard Bazardo, Gabe Speier, Ferrer and Carlos Vargas. Seattle has said it wants to bring in another outside arm, which would leave just one additional spot in the 'pen.

Jackson Kowar and Casey Legumina are both out of options, meaning they should get chances to win a job out of spring training, and they both have better pure "stuff" than Hancock does. Troy Taylor does too, and he's also an option.

One additional note on Hancock

He does have an option remaining, meaning the Mariners can stash him in Triple-A, and maybe they will, but given how much time he's spent in the big leagues over the last two seasons, that would undoubtedly be a frustrating outcome.

From the Refuse to Lose podcast

I said the following on an episode this week:

He has an option to be reliever number 8 or starter number 6. But he's going have to win both of those jobs. He's going have to beat out the likes of Kowar, Legumina, Taylor to get to reliever 8. He's going to have to beat out Logan Evans to get to starter number 6. It is no longer a guarantee for him.

More Mariners stories

ESPN's Buster Olney thinks the Alex Bregman news is just a leverage play

Why the Jose Ferrer acquisition is a big deal for the M's

Mariners didn't make moves, but winter meetings still went their way

Join the Conversation

Remember to join our MARINERS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Mariners fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!