NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the 2013 spring training matchup on Sunday between division rivals the Texas Rangers and M’s. He points out Blake Beaven started against a B-squad Texas Rangers squad, the only projected regular being 1B/DH Lance Berkman. There was some extra pressure on Beavan Sunday, as opening day approaches and his spot far from solidified.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Danny Ferguson talks about how Carlos Peguero has been just good enough to annoy him during Spring Training. The truth of the matter is that Peguero is surprising me, not because of how strong or likable he is. I know that he has a great swing and a lot of power. I would expect him to hit the ball into the stratosphere, so that’s not a surprise. The surprising thing is his strike-out rate.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the 2013 season and the expectations for Dustin Ackley. He points out when looking at Ackley’s splits from a year ago, the numbers are almost identical. Unfortunately, they were consistently low. He goes on to say at this point in his career, Ackley has been more consistent with quality commercials than producing quality play at the plate. He is still young, give it time M’s fans.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the 2013 season and the expectations for Kyle Seager. He points out Seager is no longer fighting for his spot at 3B, he also knows about the grind of 162 games. Mariners fans are not hoping for better numbers in that department, just more plate appearances! M’s fans expect Kyle Seager to produce at SafeCo Field the way he has done on the road in his career.
NWSB Managing Editor and Seattle Mariners blogger “Q” tells us today that the Mariners released their 2013 commercials. Not only did they bring back Felix Hernandez to do another one with the classic hot sauce but now Brendan Ryan talks to a Buffalo, which in itself is just classic. The newest season features Dustin Ackley wearing his love for fans on his sleeve.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Danny Ferguson talks about life without Ichiro as the Mariners look towards their first full season without the star. And while Ichiro was a franchise player during his time with the Seattle Mariners and will continue to produce for the Yankees, his departure from Seattle isn’t all that bad.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell weighs in with another M’s Week That Was. Intended to be a fun column, with lots of laughs and other good stuff. Normally it will be a top 10 list, a la David Letterman style. On Third? With the injury to starting LF Mike Carp, Mariners skipper Eric Wedge had to come up with a new lineup on the double. By placing the speedy Chone Figgins out in left field.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson tells us what we’ve learned about the 2012 M’s thru the entire Spring Training schedule. He points out Chone Figgins is still taking up valuable space, taking away at-bats from Alex Liddi, Kyle Seager and even Vinnie Catracala. Munenori Kawasaki is not only ecstatically excited to play for the Mariners, he is actually way better than anyone anticipated.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson points out over the offseason, the Mariners repeatedly indicated the team wish list to improve and compete in the AL West. A left handed reliever, a catcher, and a veteran presence. Danny now questions why the Mariners would NOT want to pursue Johnny Damon. Is it money? His value in that case alone could make him worth picking up.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson points out the one bright point was the Mariners minor league player of the year in 2011, 23 year old, Vinnie Catricala. Vinnie played in two leagues last year, starting off for A High Dessert before being promoted to AA Jackson Generals. If there is one thing that the Mariners need, it is offense. By the end of 2011 his batting average leveled off to a mere .349.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson weighs in today with his thoughts on 2012 Cactus League M’s spring training surprise performances. He points out three young men having fine March’s. Canadian Michael Saunders from Victoria BC for starters. Hitting over .400 is never a bad thing. Carlos Peguero and Munenori Kawasaki are also doing great.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson weighs in today with his thoughts on M’s young pitching arms. He says the M’s are doing the right thing in waiting for the future to arrive instead of trying to time travel there immediately.
Time travel always ends up resulting in mind blowing problems anyway. James Paxton, Danny Hultzen, and Taijuan Walker your time will come.
