The Mariners have picked up right-handed pitcher from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations, both teams announced. Wilcox had been designated for assignment by Tampa Bay earlier, and Seattle was able to make room on its 40-man roster thanks to several players recently hitting free agency.
Top star, 26, originally joined the Rays in the December 2020 trade that sent Blake Snell to the Padres. His early years were derailed by Tommy John surgery in 2021, which sidelined him for most of the 2022 season. Over the next two years, Tampa Bay kept him in a starting role in the minors, but the results were mixed — a 4.28 ERA with a 19.8% strikeout rate and 8.3% walk rate across 250 1/3 innings.
In 2025, the Rays transitioned Wilcox to the bullpen, a move that seemed to unlock more success. He posted a 3.70 ERA with a 25.1% strikeout rate, 10.8% walk rate, and a strong 50.3% ground-ball rate across 58 1/3 innings over 39 appearances. Tampa Bay added him to the 40-man roster in September, and he made a brief MLB debut — allowing three earned runs in one inning.
When roster limits tightened with the injured list expiring, Wilcox became the odd man out. The Mariners, known for getting value from under-the-radar acquisitions, quickly swooped in to claim him. While it’s unclear whether he’ll become a key bullpen piece right away, Wilcox still has minor league options remaining and should provide valuable pitching depth for Seattle’s Triple-A squad — with potential to grow into more.