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 pros and cons about Raul Ibanez coming back to Seattle. While he may be seen as a little arrogant as time and will surely take at-bats away from other players throughout the year, his upsides seem to outweigh his costs. Ibanez, contrary to what the Mariners thought was going to happen, has actually gained power in the past few years and will be a valuable piece in the Seattle lineup.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson gives us the top five things he’s going to watch out for at Seattle Marines Spring Training camp this year. Danny want’s to see some consistency out of M’s 1B Justin Smoak, possibly last September was a showing of what was to come from the young slugger. Miguel Montero is another question mark for Danny, he is going to be asked to carry the weight behind the plate this year, and no one knows if he’s quite ready for that yet.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell weighs in with 5 things he is watching out for this year at Mariners spring training. Cactus League play is under a month away, and pitchers and catchers report in less than a week, and this year the M’s have a lot of question marks heading in. The outfield, first base, and the handling of Mike Zunino top the things to watch for in 2013 Mariners camp.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke brings us the positive and negative approaches for the upcoming MLB season with the Mariners infield. Jeff puts it plain and simple for us; it’s put up or shut up time for several Mariners youngsters starting in the infield. Namely, Justin Smoak, Dustin Ackely, and even though he’s a veteran, Brendan Ryan. All three positions have players who were brought in this season chomping at the bit for starting time.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke brings us a wish list of sorts, players who could be valid catching backups for the now limited role in Seattle. With the recent trade for Mike Morse, the M’s sent John Jaso to the Oakland A’s, leaving a whole behind the plate, while acquiring more unneeded 1B and OF personnel. Four names stood out to Jeff, and yes, one of them happens to be Miguel Olivo.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke brings us the newest installment to the NWSB page, the 2013 M’s opening day lineup predictions. Dustin Ackley, Michael Saunders, Jason Bay, Jesus Montero, Felix Fernandez are some of the usual suspects. Where is Eric Thames? Read on to find out. Spring in the air, sunshine and the smell of sunflower seeds cover the field as the Seattle Mariners prepare for game 1 of 162.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke brings us the newest installment to the NWSB page, the 2013 MLB statistics that must improve for the Mariners. He points out the obvious. The M’s need more runs. Kendrys Morales, 3B Kyle Seager, and C Jesus Montero may not be traditional home run hitters, but all can work the count and should get more base knocks with runners on this season.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson gives us what he thinks needs to happen for the Mariners to improve the most important stat in all of baseball. Wins. The 5 guys who need improvement are Brendan Ryan, Justin Smoak, Hector Noesi, Mike Carp, and Dustin Ackley. Though Ackley already has an important role with this team, Danny is asking for about 20 more triples from the Ack Attack. These 5 guys improve, and the M’s will have 5 more wins in 2013.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson reports on why its not right to give up on Mariners underachieving Justin Smoak. Danny points out there is no doubt that he working from a base of natural strength. The guy has a real girth to his legs to be able to drive the ball he says. Can Smoak see well enough to realize his days are numbered unless there is a change? Danny says he can. He believes in Justin Smoak.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson reports on his ideas to get the 2013 Mariners back on track. Danny says the key is a total image rebuild, not just for the on field team, but in every aspect of the franchise. But the fans have to step up to: prove your devotion to the team, and give them reason to succeed. When the M’s had Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Randy Johnson and Jay Buhner, it was easier to take some of the losses wasn’t it?
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jonathan Irwin reports on his idea for a trade scenario to greatly improve the Mariners. With persistent trade rumors of San Diego shopping Chase Headley, it’s time Jack-Z and the Mariners dived into the talks. With his golden glove and big bat, he’d be the perfect franchise player in Seattle.
New NWSB Insider & Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke weighs in on the M’s 2013 options at first base. In all likelihood, Carp is quad-A player, good to great in the minors, but not quite enough against Major League pitching. Let’s assume GM Jack Zduriencik is not assuming turnarounds from either player and line up some options for the Mariners. Mike Zunino? Dustin Ackley? Mitch Moreland? Who knows…
