MLB Trade: Mariners & Pirates Swing A Deal For Former 1st Round Pick

The Seattle Mariners have made a move to add some bullpen depth in the organization by swinging a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded RHP Carson Fulmer to the Seattle Mariners. Fulmer is on a minor league contract, so a 40-man roster move won't be required right away by the Mariners. The Pirates are likely to receive cash considerations in return.
— MLB Moves and News (@MLBMoves_News) June 9, 2026

Carson Fulmer was a first-round pick by the Chicago White Sox, who selected him eighth overall in the 2015 MLB Draft. Fulmer was well-known around the nation after a big-time collegiate career at Vanderbilt. He went 24-3 with an ERA below 2.00 in his three years in the NCAA. He started off well enough in Rookie Ball and High-A that year, but struggled as he moved up in the minor leagues.

At the major league level, Fulmer has compiled a 5.44 ERA in over 250 innings pitched as a swingman. Last year with the Angels he posted a 5.86 ERA in 29.1 innings, and has spent this year at Triple-A, posting a 6.35 ERA in 34 innings with Indianapolis in the Pirates system.

It's possible that the 32-year-old is just a filler at AAA for insurance. Sort of a Break Glass in Case of Emergency option for the M's.

Cash considerations will be heading back to Pittsburgh in return for Fulmer.