Spring Training Is On

The Seattle Mariners spring training began with the physical on Monday for the pitchers and catchers. The position players will have the same on Friday. 

Today the pitchers will be throwing in the bullpens. They will probably be split up in three or four groups. The Mariners will have several catchers on hand who will play in the minor leagues as well. 

The two big names for fans and media alike to see in the bullpens will be newcomer Japanese left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and Felix Hernandez. Kikuchi has already thrown a couple sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Also, he has already met with the media.

I am sure Kikuchi will get a lot of looks by the Japanese media as well as other media.  I am sure fans will want to see who this guy is as well.

Another pitcher I am sure fans will want to see pitch is the recent free agent Hunter Strickland because he is expected to be the closer this season. Until spring training games happen to see him throwing the ball and what he looks like is all everyone will see. 

I am sure fans will want to see how Felix Hernandez is looking this spring. At this point where he fits in the starting rotation is anyone's guess including general manager Jerry Dipoto and manager Scott Servais. 

One thing for sure we are hoping Felix will look more like the 2016 version of himself instead of 2018. I don't add 2017 in there because he was injured a good share of the time and only pitched in 16 games.

We all know Felix fastball is no longer what we used to see however it doesn't mean he can't be successful. He has had a good curveball along with slider and changeup. The fastball can be good if his changeup will work as well. I know everyone is wishing Felix well this year. 

It would be sad if the Mariners had to release him in spring training or sometime during the season because he wasn't performing well. On the other hand, he pitches something like they hope for the Mariners can send him in a trade for some prospects. I am sure they would have to pay a part of his salary as well. 

Look forward to more news happening during spring training and the first spring game happens next week on February 21. Go M's. 

Spring Training Begins On Monday February 11

Spring training begins for the Mariners this coming Monday when the pitchers and catchers report. They take their physicals on Monday and begin throwing on Tuesday. The positions players will report the following Friday.

For all who are thinking of going to spring training to see these new players wouldn’t be a bad idea with the snow, we have right now and it is expected for the rest of next week.

Of course, everyone will be familiar with Felix Hernandez who is in the last year of his contract and there is the third baseman Kyle Seager as well. Depending on their success this coming season this could be the last we see both of them. Felix Hernandez could be gone by the all-star break if he isn’t performing well and Seager could be if he is. Hernandez could be released by then while Seager would be traded. This certainly leaves us with less familiar faces but I am sure we know more of the newer faces by then.

Felix Hernandez is released to add another pitcher on the roster who is doing well in the minor leagues or they have picked up during the season. It would primarily deal with his performance.

Kyle Seager being traded would not be his performance only but that of the team. If the Mariners are doing better than expected they could hold onto him otherwise send him to another team that is vying for a playoff spot at the trading deadline. At that point who would be playing third base?

The Mariners could trade DH Edwin Encarnacion this coming week well as during spring training or the season. Veteran outfielder-first baseman Jay Bruce could go through the same thing though likely later on but with Jerry Dipoto would not surprise us.

Bruce being traded might depend on how the other outfielders are doing during training camp well as first baseman/dh Dan Vogelbach. Speaking of Vogelbach he is out of options so the Mariners have to keep, trade, or release him. I am sure the Mariners will give him every chance to succeed.

There will be other interesting things happening during spring training as well. I will keep you up to date. The first spring game will happen on February 21 against the Oakland A’s. Sort of interesting I say because the Mariners have started the spring against the San Diego Padres for years.

The Mariners regular season starts one month later on March 20 in Tokyo, Japan against the Oakland A’s in a two-game series. They play a couple of exhibition games beforehand on March 16 and 18. We will likely see Ichiro on the roster as well. The Mariners are allowed to expand the roster to 28 players while in Japan. I am sure we won’t see Ichiro on the roster when they return to Seattle to play the Boston Red Sox on March 28.

I am sure left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi the Mariners signed out of Japan on January 2 will appear in at least one game over in Japan. It will be interesting to see how he does through spring training as well as Felix Hernandez. Go M’s.

Oh yes for those in Western Washington stay warm OK. 

Spring Training Begins In One Week

Mariner's spring training begins in one week when the pitchers report for their physicals on Monday February 11. During the off-season, general manager Jerry Dipoto made multiple trades along with signings. So manager Scott Servais will have to begin by introductions of these new players.

The majority of the players returning from last year on the 40 man roster are pitchers. Far as the position players go we have backup catcher David Freitas, first baseman Ryon Healy, and Daniel Vogelbach. At second base Dee Gordon and Kyle Seager at third both return. Kristopher Negron at utility player. Not familiar with him he came up in September from Tacoma. He was acquired from Arizona Diamondbacks in August. 

When it comes to the outfield we have the face of the franchise now Mitch Haniger. Braden Bishop played half the season at double-A Arkansas before getting hurt. 

The most notable returning pitchers are Felix Hernandez, Marco Gonzales, Mike Leake, and Wade LeBlanc. All vying for the starting rotation. In the bullpen are Dan Altavilla (spent much of last season on the disabled list), Chasen Bradford, Roenis Elias, and Sam Tuivailala (acquired from the St.Louis Cardinals before the trading line) will start the season on the disabled list. Shawn Armstrong, Matt Festa, and Nick Rumbelow came up in September. Those three will get a chance to make the opening day roster. 

This week Jerry Dipoto could acquire or sign additional players before training camp starts. There are still free agents still out in the market. Likely the Mariners won't sign any big-time names. Look forward to getting to know the new players coming in. 

How About the Huskies and More

The Washington Huskies right now are showing being the best team in the Pac-12 Conference in men's basketball. They beat USC Trojans 75-62 home on Wednesday night at Alaska Airlines Arena. Going into the game the Trojans were the second best team in the Pac-12 and they probably still are. 

Though the Huskies led throughout the game the Trojans did get within three points on a couple occasions in the second half. The issue the Huskies had allowing the Trojans to stay close for a little while was turning the ball over because they passed the ball probably one time to much. They were trying to get the perfect shot instead of hitting an open shot when available. The Trojans had the same problem as well.

The other team in the state in the Pac-12 continues to struggle in the Washington State Cougars. Right now they have a record of 1-7 after losing to UCLA Bruins on Wednesday night 87-67. The Bruins are the opponent the Huskies play on Saturday night. 

In other sports news, the Seattle Reign FC announced Wednesday afternoon they are moving to Tacoma and play at Cheney Stadium until the new soccer field is ready to go. They will be called just the Reign FC now. The other team playing soccer in Tacoma the Seattle Sounders FC2 is changing their name to Tacoma Defiance. They are the second tier team of the Seattle Sounders who play in the MLS.

 The Tacoma Rainiers baseball team continues playing at Cheney Stadium as well.  Be interesting to see how they do this coming season after a turnover of the roster with all the changes the Seattle Mariners have done this off-season. The Mariners start spring real soon in just over two weeks on Monday, February 11. It will be interesting to get to know all the players on the team who have come over. General Manager Jerry Dipoto might add a few players by training camp starts. 

Washington Huskies Men Stay Undefeated in Pac-12

The Washington Huskies men's basketball team continues to do well in the Pac-12 season. They beat Oregon and Oregon State on the road which isn't an easy thing to do. The Huskies lead the Pac-12 with a record of 7-0. 

This coming Wednesday the Huskies face USC Trojans at home followed the UCLA Bruins on Saturday.  The Trojans have a 5-2 record in the Pac-12 while the Bruins are at 4-3. 

The Huskies beat Oregon 61-56 on Thursday night then beat Oregon State on Saturday 79-69. The game was a larger margin than winning by ten points. The Huskies had as much as a 21 point lead in the second half.

The success the Huskies are having so far in the Pac-12 the Washington State Cougars are not doing well at all. They have a record of 1-5 beating only the California Golden Bears at home last week. They lost to Oregon State on Thursday 90-77. They play the Oregon Ducks on Sunday. I wouldn't be surprised of a coaching change at the end of the season. 

We hope the Huskies continue on their way to make the NCAA tournament in March. There is a possibility only two teams will make the tournament so it will be important to keeping winning. The winner of the Pac-12 tournament is the only one guaranteed to go to the NCAA tournament.

Edgar's In

It took a long time ten years for that matter however Edgar Martinez finally made it to baseball's Hall of Fame. I know there is a lot of stories coming up on Edgar so I am keeping this short however I have to be like everyone else who are fans of Edgar congratulations you made it.

Here in Seattle and the state of Washington, we all know his accomplishments even if you aren't a big baseball fan. Everyone here knows his name even if they didn't watch a game. Speaking of watching a game the double Edgar hit to score Joey Cora then Ken Griffey Jr. for the Mariners go to the American League Championship series in 1995 by beating the New York Yankees is still the greatest moment in Mariner history even though they won 116 games in 2001. Every time I see the replay of that hit my eyes come to tears and I am excited. We know Edgar accomplished so much more for the Mariners however that play shows why he is in the Hall of Fame now.

Again thank you, Edgar, for your accomplishments for all 18 years as a player then you became the hitting coach as well We will miss seeing you in the dugout for every game however we forward to seeing your induction into the Hall of Fame.   

A trade and Edgar's Hall of Fame Announcement

While everyone was celebrating Martin Luther King Jr Day the New York Yankees traded right-handed starting pitcher Sonny Gray to the Cincinnati Reds for second baseman Shed Long and a competitive balance pick in the next draft.

 General Manager Jerry Dipoto who had talked to the Reds about Long before traded outfielder Josh Stowers who the Mariners had drafted last year and had a solid time in rookie ball Everett. The Mariners had high hopes for him but picking up several outfielder prospects over the off-season they felt getting an infielder instead would be a good deal. The Mariners don't have many infield prospects so getting Long was good and he is further along as well. He is young to at 23 years old. He played double-A ball last season and may start there again for the Mariners or move up to triple-A Tacoma. This could mean if he is ready to be on the scene next year or in 2021. 

Right now the Mariners have Dee Gordon at second base.  The Mariners are hoping he will be healthy this year. If Long can turn into a major leaguer than a prospect the Mariners likely would trade Gordon. The Mariners may play Long at third base and shortstop as so a different scenario could happen too.

Today, Tuesday, January 22 we are supposed to hear whether Edgar Martinez makes the Hall of Fame or not. This is his last year of eligibility but could be voted in years later by the veteran's committee. This year the veteran's committee voted in Harold Baines. He had a solid season playing 22 seasons but not close to Edgar. In my mind, it will be a sure disappointment if Edgar doesn't go in this season. So we hope to hear your name today Edgar so we can all yell Edgar! Edgar! Edgar!.