Fraley and Bishop

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry
Dipoto is pounding the pavement for
a veteran left handed hitting outfielder.
Whether he will find the right player
we will see.

Prize prospect Jarred Kelenic is ready

to make his jump to the majors though

the Mariners are thinking of starting 

him at triple-A Tacoma. Kelenic is a

left handed bat they can use in left field

right now. Kelenic is still only 21 years

old and there was no minor league season

in 2020. He did spend time in Tacoma

though with other players in extended

training camp.

We have to remember Ken Griffey Jr.

came up to Seattle at 19 years old. Of

course, we all know how that ended up.

Not saying Kelenic will be the next Jr.

but he could be the next best thing.

The Mariners will have Jake Fraley 

and Braden Bishop in training camp

both competing to make the opening

day roster. Both Fraley and Bishop

have played well in the minors but

haven't been able to do the same when

given the opportunities in Seattle as of

yet.

Both players have had injuries which

hasn't helped out either. In fact, injuries

happened to both when they could have 

had opportunities to play. This was true

for Bishop. The plan was to play him 

some in center field in 2019, however,

he came down with in injury right after

Mitch Haniger had his injury costing 

him the rest of 2019. Bishop returned

in September 2019 but did not show

much at the plate.

This year we hope both Fraley and Bishop

can show their hitting during training camp

and share left field if they don't bring in

another outfielder or Kelenic goes to triple-A.

This will be the break year for Fraley and

Bishop at least in Seattle anyway. They need

to show they can hit as well as play good

defense. We wish both the best. It certainly

will help out the Mariners.

Kyle Lewis and More

I don't know about you, however, I look
forward to see what Kyle Lewis the rookie
of the year will do this coming season.

Right now he will be the Mariners center

fielder. Mitch Haniger expected in right

field and who knows in left. The Mariners 

have had problems in left for many years.

It is hard to know whether Lewis will have

another good season or struggle for that 

matter. I know we will have fun watching

him. 

Even if his bat cools off we should see

good defense from him.

Right now not sur spring training will

start on time or not. We will have to see.

I hope the players are able to get the

vaccine and start on time.

 

Washington Finally Win

The Washington Huskies men's basketball
team finally won in the Pac-12 season. The

Huskies actually swept the two game series

at home first beating Colorado Thursday

night 84-80. Sunday they beat Utah  83-79.

Not only did the Huskies win both games

the first in the Pac-12 after going 0-7 they

had offense scoring in eighties instead of

the sixties the worst in the conference. 

Against Colorado they got off to a slow

start which is custom for the Huskies 

however they found a way to get back

into the game and keep to close to finally

taking the lead and keeping down the

stretch.

Against Utah Jamal Bey had 28 points 

a career  high. He only missed one shot

on the night. Finally Bey showed what

he is capable of. Usually he has one good

half but isn't there the other half.

Quade Green had 20 points on the night.

Green is the Huskies leading scorer and

really only player who has played well

over the season consistently.     

The Huskies will have a week off before

taking on state rival Washington State

Cougars. We hope the Huskies have turned

the corner and start winning consistently

The Cougars on the other hand got off to

a very good start winning all non-conference

game going 7-0.  They opened the Pac-12

season beating Oregon State and have only

beat California since who are near the bottom

of the Pac-12. They lost to both Utah and

Colorado this week. Both of the schools

have good teams so it would have been

hard to lose to Washington and Washington

State. 

The Cougars are just ahead of the Huskies

in the stands. The game this coming Sunday

will be in Seattle. The Huskies played like

against Colorado and Utah it will be hard

for the Cougars to win though it likely will

be a close game. 

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are still number one

team in the nation after beating Pacific very

handily 95-49.  They were led by Drew Timme

in scoring with 22 points. The Bulldogs 

will take on San Diego this coming Thursday

followed by Pepperdine both games on the

road. We see whether Gonzaga will go all

the way undefeated till the NCAA tournament.

         

Mariners Mitch Haniger

We are now down to less than three
weeks before spring training begins
for the season. We have no idea how
many fans can be at spring training
and for that matter when will be able
to be at games in Seattle.

Be looking here at players leading

up to spring training, well as during

the spring and the regular season.

Recently general manager Jerry

Dipoto said that Mitch Haniger 

right fielder who we haven't seen

play since June  of 2019 is healthy.

Haniger turned 30 in December so

he should be in the prime of his

career. We hope he is over injuries

for good. In 2018 Haniger was an 

all-star so we hope he can play close

to it.

Mitch Haniger played his last game

o Jun 6, 2019 so it has been some

time for sure. The Mariners plan to

play Haniger in right field along side

rookie of the year Kyle Lewis.

At this point we are not sure who

will play in left field. The player

may not even be on the team right

now.

Haniger has shown in his career in

Seattle he can be any where in the

batting order. Wherever the Mariners

lack for hitting is where he probably

lands.

We know at some point Jarred Kelenic

will be on the roster in 2021 followed

by Julio Rodriguez. The Mariners may

need to decide whether it will be the 

right thing to trade Haniger or not.

We could see four outfielders in the

lineup on a regular basis with one of

them at designated hitter. Most likely

at that point Haniger would likely dh

more than the others but at least gives

each one a day off in the field. Also,

if one of them is nursing a small injury

will allow them to stay in the lineup too.

Would not be a surprise at some point

the Mariners trade Haniger to another

team. Getting the best value will be for

him to be playing well. At least the 

Mariners are in a good place at that 

point. Go M's. 

More On Seahawk Free Agents

The Seattle Seahawks are looking at several
candidates as offensive coordinators. We should
know in several days who they hire. Again we
look at those who are unrestricted free agents
for the Hawks.

The next group of Seahawk players I mention 

are starters but not the big names for the most

part anyway. Cornerback Shaquill Griffin would

like to come back. He had an on and off season

for the Seahawks. Also, Griffin missed some

playing time too. I am sure the salary he is asking

for he will be back we will see.

Defensive Poona Ford is one I am sure the Seahawks

will like to return. He to will be what the asking price

comes along. He was a major player in run defense.

Another corner Quinton Dunbar is one we have to

keep an eye on. It could come done to him and Griffin.

On the offense we have Jacob Hollister tight end done

an excellent job as the number two on the Seahawks.

I am sure the Seahawks will like him back, however,

he sees some interest in the market he could be gone.

Ethan Pocic career with Seahawks he played some

tackle and guard. however, this season he played center.

We will see how the market goes there too.

Mike Lupati  starting guard is now 34 years old. It will

be interesting to see whether the Seahawks go get

someone or go with one of the younger lineman as well.

Wouldn't surprise me if the Seahawks don't resign him.

Another list of free agents will come out the next time

we go over the Seahawks. 
 

Free Agents Seahawks

I am not really into the off-season of the
Seattle Seahawks, however, I will share
some thoughts along the way. Soon we
will be talking about the Seattle Mariners.
I do hope spring training goes just fine.

Running back Chris Carson will be a 

free agent. Whether the Seahawks resign

him or not will depend on the asking price.

Though he has preformed well and is the

Seahawks number one running back the

last couple years he has been hurt so the

asking price for sure will make the difference.

Other teams could hold back because of the

injuries.

Backup running back Carlos Hyde is a 

free agent. His asking price will be easier

for the Seahawks to sign however he is 

34 years old much beyond prime for a

running back. I wouldn't mind him back

in a partial role. Other words keep him

at around ten carries a game. Use him

late in games when the defense is tiring

down.

Veteran linebacker KJ Wright is a free

agent to. The Seahawks should look at

re-signing him after having a good 2020

season. The Seahawks do have depth now

so pass him up would not surprise me either.

Greg Olsen is a free agent after the Seahawks

only signed him to one year He had some

injuries this year so might retire at 36 and go

into the television booth.

Over the weeks ahead look at other free agents

on the Seahawk roster as well.

Getting Closer To Spring Training

I am sure everyone is getting ready for spring

training for the Seattle Mariners. Well the pitchers
and catchers actually report one month from today
on February 16.

It will be interesting to see what moves Jerry Dipoto
will make over the next few weeks. With Covid-19
and the vaccine what will spring training look like.
Will fans be able to come to any games during the
month the games play beginning on February 27.

The one move the Mariners made this week as making

former Mariner Hisashi Iwakuma a special assistant to Jerry

Dipoto. Among his duties will be working with the 

young pitchers during spring training and do some

scouting in his native Japan. 

We hope the Mariners can pick up three more players

in the next few weeks. Go M's

Brian Shottenheimer Out

Tuesday the Seattle Seahawks fired Brian
Shottenheimer as offensive coordinator.
The reason was over difference of opinion
for the most part.

This was hours after general manager John

Schneider was given a new contract that

goes through 2027. The Detroit Lions had

said after the season they were going to go

after Schneider as gm but he said he wasn't

going anywhere. The Seahawks stood up

and gave him a new contract. Not a big 

surprise as was Shottenheimer's firing. 

The Seahawks got off to a great start to the

season with what was being called "Russell

Cooks".  The offense changed after that whether

it was Shottenheimer's fault or not he was the

guy who paid the price.

I thought the offense got out of sync.  I am not

sure why but wasn't the same for sure. On air

guys at KIRO AM the station carrying the 

Seahawks felt the Seahawks throwing the ball

down the field so much the other teams defense

had figured it out so they were ready for it.

Pete Carroll in his post season press conference 

said that the team would go back to running the

ball. We will see how that goes to. 

The important thing is the opposition doesn't no

what they will do. Other words don't be predictable.

OK to throw the ball down the field once in a while

is OK but not three downs in a row like happened

against Washington when Russell was intercepted

on the third throw. 

Depending on how much the Seahawks have the ball

I would like it about half and half running and throwing

the ball. I like to see the ball running about 30 times

while passing 28 times. It will vary some as well. So more

possession than say 35 times running 32 times passing.

Another consideration is what the score is like in the

4th quarter. The Seahawks are ahead than keep running

the ball with an occasion pass. Keep the clock running. 

Pete Carrol likes throwing the ball down the field which

is ok as long not being predictable. Both DK Metcalf

and Tyler Lockett were good at it for sure. When you do

it will depend on where you are on the field as well. The

team is successful running the ball then throwing down

the field will be a good idea otherwise they should have

more short passes. 

The Seahawks have quite a few players who are going to

be free agents. We will get into that at later. Go Hawks!

Many More Moves By Mariners

We are now down to about five weeks when
spring training begins. Major League Baseball
is hoping to get in all the games this season.
The question will be when will there be fans
in the stands as well.

I am sure with Governor Jay Inslee we won't

see fans in Seattle until mid-season which 

would make it July depending on the vaccine

or the virus has gone down.

The other thing will the Mariners have additional

signings to the bullpen, starting rotation or a

positional player or two. 

Since he is a busy beaver I am sure general manager

Jerry Dipoto is working the phones. Though the

bullpen looks like it will be improved over last season

it would be nice to add at least one more reliever to

the group.

The starting rotation we have no word on the free

agent signing of Taijuan Walker or anyone else for

that matter. I am sure the Mariners will do something

there will be soon. 

I have mentioned before it would be nice if the Mariners

could pick up another outfielder through free agency

or trade. Please no waiver wire pickups. Enough is

enough.

Right now left field is an open spot for someone to take.

Most likely Jarred Kelenic will have the spot eventually

depending on the health of Mitch Haniger. It would be

nice if Mitch can stay healthy all season long. 

If the Mariners don't pick up another outfielder I could

see Jake Fraley and Braden Bishop sharing the position.

Both good defensively but still haven't shown they can

hit major league hitting. Maybe this will be the year.

Additional infielder would be someone who can play

second and third. This would be an option if not picking

up an outfielder. Now Tim Lopes won't be back they 

could use another utility player.

Anyway this is a few thoughts on the matter anyway.

Wouldn't be nice to hear something today but I will

take something this week. Let's go M's.  

Seahawks Season Is Over

I am sure most of us were hoping the
Seahawks season would last a bit longer.
They lost to the LA Rams in week one
of the playoffs 30-20.

The Seahawks had their opportunities 

to win the game but were not able to

score when given them.

The score may not indicate it however

the defense did stop the Rams on several

occasions for them to score.

This is disappointment since we were

expecting them to go to the championship

game for the most part.

There were fans who will look positive 

because they won 12 games on the season.

Yes they made the playoffs however with

12 wins making the championship if not

the Super Bowl is expected. Missing this

opportunity it was a poor season.

Russell Wilson Cooks began a good ride

for five games. I am not sure exactly happened

after that but cooking no longer happened.

Not sure it was Wilson or not however it

wasn't the same.

Most season's the Seahawks get off to a poor

start offensively and then turn it on in the

second half of the season. This season it 

turned out the opposite getting off to a good

start then nothing after that.

The positive of the season the defense turned

itself around. They played so much better in

the second half. They allowed more wins the

Seahawks deserved. Could you imagine had

the defense stayed the way it had with the

offense played. They would not have won as

many games. They may have made the playoffs

but exit the same way.

Now we have to see what changes happen during

the off-season whether it with players leaving or

coaches for that matter. A lot of talk during the

next six months or longer what happened. 

Anyway it will be time to move on to baseball

for me along with college basketball. Gonzaga

is number one, the Cougars are playing well.

The Huskies what happened to them. 

Some changes have happened in the Washington

Huskies football program. A couple of quarterbacks

have moved on with incoming freshman Sam Huard

coming in. 

Anyway enjoy the playoffs rooting for whoever you 

do. Until next time. 

Spring Training Not Far Off For Mariners

Spring training is expected to start in six weeks
in Arizona for the Seattle Mariners. Not sure
whether fans will be able to attend or not. If
so I am sure there will be restrictions like masks
and social distance which we have been accustomed
to for a while now.

Spring training games start on February 27 against

the San Diego Padres. They show a full schedule but

as we know whether they will all be played is unde

termined at this time.

I am sure the players will be tested frequently or they

will have been ministered the vaccine. It is important

to do so.

Now we have to see what trades and free agent signings

happen between now and spring training. Additional

pitching and a couple position players would be nice.

I am sure Jerry Dipoto is on the phone as always to see

about making a deal.

I will keep you up to date and what I feel about any

trades the Mariners are doing. 

Seahawks Win in the end

The Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers
Sunday afternoon in Arizona 26-23.

The game didn't look good going into the fourth

quarter with the 49ers leading 16-6. Like many

other games we have seem before the Seahawks

scored three touchdown in the fourth quarter to

lead 26-16 with less than two minutes to go.

The 49ers scored a final touchdown with little 

time left on the clock. The 49ers did an onside

kick but the Seahawks recovered and all they

had to do was kneel for the clock run out.

The Seahawks defense again had a good game

for the most part as the offense struggled for

three quarters. During the time though DK

Metcalf broke Steve Largent's record of yardage

for a season.

Tyler Lockett also broke a record having the most

catches by a Seahawk in a season. After breaking

the record he had two touchdowns in the fourth

quarter. The second touchdown which iced the 

game for the Seahawks was Lockett's 100th catch

of the season. Lockett said in his post game remarks

he wasn't sure he would reach 100.

The Seahawks offense needs to get back into order

if they have any chance for the most part to go thru

the playoffs. Next week they will be playing the Los

Angeles Rams at home in the first round of the playoffs

Both the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers 

won as well so no first seed which goes to the Packers

so they will have a week off. 

Seager Yes or No

In one of the groups I am part of in regards to
the Mariners a question came up should the
Mariners trade Kyle Seager or not.

There are those who want to keep him feeling

he is a leader. Yes he has been with the Mariners

longer than anyone on the team after the departure

of Felix. Does the fact he is a veteran and been

around make him a leader. I don't think so.

I am not saying he isn't a leader but unless we

are in the Mariner locker room or interact with

the younger players don't know. 

For the young players they need an example of

a player not only goes out there and plays every

day like Kyle Seager does but need someone who

has experiences success as far as winning goes.

The Mariners haven't been in the playoffs since 

he has been here. Is it his fault probably not but

he has been involved. 

Far as a position players goes until last couple 

years Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz were the

position players the guys looked to.  Cano with

his suspensions probably not as much so. Cruz

is still successful around the age of 40. One of

our favorite Mariners of all time Edgar Martinez

did as well.

Kyle Seager is 34 years old. He should be at his

prime right now. In the field he is still playing 

great defense at third base, however, at the plate

he isn't. This last season he got off to a good start

however declined in September. He led the Mariners

in rbi's. Most likely because he was batting fourth

in front of Kyle Lewis. 

I hope the Mariners trade Seager so they can get

some prospects back for him. They may have to 

eat some of his contract. If Dipoto can unload him

now it would be good. Waiting for the deadline

to trade him possibly but it is a gamble because it 

will depend on how he is doing. 

I will root for Kyle Seager; he is the kind of person

you just do. I hope he gets traded to someone where

he can have success.