The offseason feels like it vanished in the blink of an eye for Logan Gilbert, and he's not alone! As the Seattle Mariners' pitchers and catchers gear up to report to Peoria in just two weeks, the rapid passage of time is a sentiment shared by many. Gilbert, speaking from his Florida home on 'The Hot Stove' on Seattle Sports, admitted, "This time I think it flew by." He's maintained a consistent training regimen, even with the team's extended playoff run last season, focusing on a regular schedule without any drastic changes.
Gilbert has been actively connected with the Mariners' coaching staff throughout the winter. Pitching coach Pete Woodworth is even scheduled to observe his bullpen session soon. Beyond formal coaching, he's also been in constant communication with his fellow starting pitchers. "I feel like everybody’s really on the same page here for the team plan, for my plan what I need to work on," he shared. This collaborative spirit extends to younger pitchers too, who have provided invaluable insights. "Even guys younger than me, they’ve helped me a ton. So that’s part of it too is just bouncing ideas off them, seeing where they’re at." This camaraderie is a vital part of the team's success.
But here's where it gets interesting: the abrupt end to the season and the subsequent scattering of teammates was a jarring experience for Gilbert. After spending eight months in close proximity, the sudden separation from his tight-knit group left a void. He genuinely missed the daily camaraderie and the in-depth pitching discussions that were a staple of their season. "Every day we kind of get our feel for that stuff, whoever’s throwing that day, and then just talking about it," he explained. "Grips, shapes, ideas, attack plan, all that kind of stuff. And then all of a sudden, it’s just weird – you play your last game and everybody’s gone the next day." Thankfully, these crucial pitching conversations have continued throughout the offseason via texts, calls, and video chats.
When asked about potential new developments from the Mariners' starters this spring, Gilbert offered an exciting tidbit about Bryan Woo. "(Bryan) Woo told me he was working on a changeup again, tweaking it the other day," Gilbert revealed. He added that catcher Cal Raleigh, who was catching Woo in Arizona, gave a rare positive review. "He said one of them was good, which is a huge deal because if you’re ever trying something new, Cal’s going to tell you – at least from my experience, every time I try something new, he’s like that’s not it, don’t throw that. I was a little jealous to begin with, but just the fact that Woo said one of them he said was good, I’m like, man, that means it’s really good." This endorsement from Raleigh, known for his discerning eye, suggests Woo's changeup might be a real weapon.
And this is the part most people miss: Gilbert himself isn't planning any radical overhauls to his pitching arsenal. Instead, his focus is on refining his existing pitches. However, he did confess to experimenting with a cutter and a changeup, potentially to use when behind in the count or against left-handed batters. His discussions with catcher Cal Raleigh about these potential additions yielded the expected, yet valuable, response. "Yeah, I talked to (Raleigh) a week or two ago, and I don’t think he’s super excited about certain things, but usually he steers me back straight," Gilbert chuckled. "I can have crazy ideas, and then he kind of gets me back online." This highlights the crucial role Raleigh plays in keeping the pitchers grounded.
Looking ahead, Gilbert expressed his strong desire for a completely healthy season for himself and the entire rotation. While he acknowledged the significant contributions of players who stepped in during the 2025 season, he agreed that there's an undeniable energy when the full starting five are healthy and taking the mound every fifth day. "It’s almost like a friendly competition," he mused. "I remember times when George (Kirby) was at his very best, Bryce (Miller) was at his very best, Woo last year – having those guys go out there, it’s fun for me, it’s fun for the other guys because you have got to go out there and top it the next day or try to find a way to motivate yourself with the way other guys are pitching. I think other people being at their best, me being at my best brings out the best in each other so I think just a snowball. It keeps going." This dynamic of mutual inspiration is a powerful force for the team.
What do you think? Is the competitive spirit within the rotation a key ingredient to the Mariners' success, or could it sometimes lead to unnecessary pressure? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
