NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
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 Clinton Bell tells us Aaron Heilman, Matt Fox, Sean Henn, Josh Kinney, Jeff Marquez, Oliver Perez, and Trayvon Robinson were roster cuts casualties today for the M’s 2012 roster. For the guys sent down on Saturday, they will have to wait for their shot to be on a big league club again. Maybe mid season call ups, maybe next season.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell tells us Mauricio Robles, one of the Mariners top left-handed pitching prospects, Nick Franklin, Danny Hultzen and Taijuan Walker were among six players sent down to the Minor Leagues on Saturday as the club made its first cuts from the big league camp.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Insider Steve weighs in on the biggest question mark he sees facing the 2012 Seattle Mariners. Namely Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro has to work even harder to earn the trust back from the Mariners fan base. 2012 will be a season where he cannot get too comfortable. If he doesn’t adapt this could be his last season in Seattle.
Mariners insider Danny Ferguson brings us another great read on the state of the Seattle Mariners. Will Seattle’s closer last season, Brandon League, continue on his impressive 2011 campaign? After posting the shockingly 6th highest number of saves in the American League, will he continue to surprise the Mariners and their fans?
Seattle Mariners blogger Insider Steve is going on a rant. He’s back to tell us he understands what the Mariners are trying to do. When your franchise bottoms out, it takes time in the rebuilding process. He’s calling out Ownership. Jack Zduriencik is the only one that seems to have a direction, that’s asinine he says. Ownership is supposed to be the one leading by example. They’re not.
Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson believe we should get over the fact that this isn’t 2001 anymore, the rebuilding is actually happening and isn’t just the lip service that we have grown accustomed to and enjoy watching baseball in the northwest. Check out this actual made up conversation between Eric Wedge and Jack Zduriencik:
Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson is back to tell us five things to look for to see that there is forward momentum in the M’s franchise in 2012. Looking for 2012 Mariners predictions? It really is unpredictable what will happen when mid-season comes around. Jack Zduriencik and Eric Wedge are admitting that this year probably won’t be much better.
Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson weighs in with his January 26th, 2012 State of the Mariners notebook. The M’s off-season should help in making 2012 be an interesting year, although the offseason isn’t over yet and Jack Z always has his eyes open. Reports given on Casper Wells, Justin Smoak, Adam Moore and Franklin Gutierrez. Plus updates on Jesus Montero, Ichiro Suzuki, Dustin Ackley, and Chone Figgins.
Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson tells us Munenori Kawasaki says he’s been invited to spring training by the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners had a backup short stop on their wish list for this off season, but they may get a replacement starter instead. Danny goes on to say if he were Brendan Ryan he’d be calling his agent and hitting the gym. What about Nick Franklin?
Q our Seattle Mariners blogger reports word has it a free agent contract is on the table of Prince Fielder to go to the Seattle Mariners via free agency. Essentially the Mariners are buying Prince’s prime production years (ages 28 thru 32). Jack Zduriencik knows what he’s doing and I trust him and the Mariners front office.
Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson weighs in with his December 16th 2011 State of the Mariners notebook. Who wants to come play with Seattle when they could be making big bucks on the east coast? Felix Hernandez, Miguel Olivo, Franklin Gutierez and Brendan Ryan are all set to take significant raises in 2011, can the M’s and Jack Zduriencik afford Prince Fielder?
