With the MLB trade deadline just two days away, the Seattle Mariners are expected to be one of the more active teams in baseball. After coming within one win of the World Series by reaching Game 7 of the ALCS last season, expectations were sky-high entering 2026. Instead, Seattle has struggled to find consistency and now sits third in the AL West with a record below .500 as the calendar turns to August.As a result, the Mariners appear willing to make significant changes to their roster, and while most of the trade speculation has centered around veteran pitchers like Luis Castillo and Emerson Hancock, a surprising new name has entered the conversation.MORE: One player every MLB team will trade at the 2026 trade deadlineGeorge Kirby Drawing Plenty of InterestAccording to MLB insider Jeff Passan, several teams have contacted the Mariners to inquire about right-hander George Kirby.The report is somewhat unexpected considering Kirby has been viewed as one of the cornerstones of Seattles rotation since breaking into the majors. Still, when a talented young starter becomes even remotely available, rival clubs are always going to make the call.Whether the Mariners are actively shopping Kirby or simply listening to offers remains unclear, but his name surfacing in trade discussions is one of the biggest surprises of the deadline so far.MORE: 5 MLB pitchers who will be traded before the trade deadlineA Key Piece of Seattles RotationMay 23, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn ImagesKirby has been an important part of the Mariners pitching staff ever since the organization selected him in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft.After making his major league debut in 2022, he quickly established himself as one of Seattles most reliable starters. His combination of command, poise, and ability to limit walks has made him a valuable piece of the rotation and one of the more respected young pitchers in the American League.Trading a pitcher with that type of upside would be a significant decision for Seattles front office.MORE: Longest MLB winning streaks this centuryMariners Could Be Looking to Reshape Their RosterSeattles biggest weakness this season has been its offense, and that reality has fueled speculation that the club could use its pitching depth to acquire impact bats before the deadline.If the Mariners are serious about making a push back into contention, dealing from a position of strength may be their best path forward. While Castillo and Hancock have been linked to trade rumors for weeks, Kirbys name entering the mix suggests Seattle could be open to exploring even bigger moves if the return is right.With the deadline fast approaching, the Mariners are shaping up to be one of the most fascinating teams to watch. Whether Kirby is ultimately moved or not, the fact that contenders are calling about him shows just how highly regarded he remains around Major League Baseball.Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter