Trade market activity must have Mariners' rethinking stance on starting pitchers

Championship Series - Toronto Blue Jays v Seattle Mariners - Game 3 | Jane Gershovich/GettyImagesThe Seattle Mariners have spent most of this winter doing the same thing they always do: reminding everyone (loudly) that the rotation is the franchise’s crown jewel — and that it’s not for sale. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com even noted that Seattle has been adamant about not dealing from its big league starter group, even as it explores the impact of the infield trade market.

Cool. Reasonable. Very “run prevention is a lifestyle.”

And yet… the rest of the league just put a giant price tag on controllable starting pitching, and it’s the kind of tag that makes even the most stubborn front office squint…