Logan Gilbert crossed the 200-strikeout mark Sunday in his final start of the season.
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners won't be returning the playoffs in 2026, but that hasn't stopped one of the most well-regarded players on the team for etching his name in franchise history.
Starting pitcher Logan Gilbert took the mound for the last game of the season against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday at T-Mobile Park. He also began the season as the Opening Day starter against the Cleveland Guardians on March 26.
Gilbert wasted no time putting on a show in his final start of the year. He struck out the side in order. His final strikeout, which came against Angels first baseman Vaughn Grissom, put him in elite company in franchise history.
The strikeout against Grissom was the 200th of the season for Gilbert.
According to a post on "X" from Mariners PR, Gilbert became one of four Seattle pitchers to have multiple seasons with 200 or more fanned batters.
Randy Johnson has the most seasons with that mark (seven; 1991-95, '97-98), followed by Felix Hernandez (six; 2009-14) and Mark Langston (four; 1984, '86-88).
Gilbert's last season with 200 strikeouts came in 2024, which also doubled as the first (and, to this date only) All-Star season in his career.
The 29-year-old has been the Mariners' Opening Day starter each of the last two years and has closed out the regular season in 2024 and '26.
One of the former players included in the group Gilbert just joined, Mark Langston, described the 2024 All-Star as the ace on a rotation full of aces in the former's start against the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., earlier this month.
In the same start, Gilbert tied Langston for the fourth-most strikeouts in franchise history (1,048). The former Stetson College product took sole possession of fourth place in his previous outing against the Houston Astros on Sept. 22.
This offseason will be one of uncertainty for Gilbert, Seattle and the rest of baseball.
On a grand scale, the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the MLB and MLB Players Union is set to expire Dec. 1. After that point, teams will be unable to make any roster moves related to the major league team.
As for Gilbert and the Mariners, the pitcher's contract is set to expire following the 2027 season. It will be Gilbert's fourth and final arbitration year.
The two sides have previously discussed contract extensions, but have been unable to come to terms and not much more is known about the negotiations other than they've been had.
If Gilbert and Seattle do agree to terms on a long-term deal, there's a chance Gilbert ends up rising more franchise leaderboards before the end of his career concludes.
