"In 2025, 369 pitchers started a game in MLB, for an average of 12.3 per team. Only 53 started at least 30 games, an average of less than two seasonlong starters per team. More injuries, more shuffling of players on and off the roster, more six-man rotations and rest days: It all means rotation depth is more important than ever -- and harder to find."
"We've already seen three trades for starting pitchers this offseason, with the Boston Red Sox acquiring Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals and Johan Oviedo from the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Baltimore Orioles trading Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward. Trading for an established starter requires an exchange of talent, but trades can be viewed as less risky than a team signing a free agent to a long-term, nine-figure contract. (Consider the Arizona Diamondbacks signing Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million contract last offseason, but then he had Tommy John surgery after 11 starts.)"
"Best fit: Seattle Mariners State of the Mariners' rotation: A rotation that ranked 13th in the majors in ERA and 14th in fWAR in 2025 will return all seven starters who made at least 15 starts. This group was much better in 2024, though, as Logan Gilbert, George Kirby and Bryce Miller all spent significant time on the injured list this past season (although all ended the season healthy)."
In 2025, 369 pitchers made starts in MLB, averaging 12.3 per team, while only 53 pitchers reached 30 starts, averaging fewer than two season-long starters per team. Rising injuries, roster churn, six-man rotations and scheduled rest have elevated the premium on rotation depth and increased scarcity of reliable long-term starters. Early offseason activity has included multiple trades for starters, with examples such as Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo and Grayson Rodriguez being moved. Trades for established starters can be seen as less risky than large long-term free-agent contracts given the injury risk. The Seattle Mariners' rotation ranked mid-pack in 2025 but will return seven regular starters, several of whom missed time due to injury yet finished the season healthy.
Read at ESPN.com
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