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 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…
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jonathan Irwin reports on his list of offseason moves for the 2013 Seattle Mariners. The team is in a crossroads, looking to build off their strong farm system while staying competitive. While they have to sacrifice in some areas—such as keeping the rotation open—it’s time they sealed up old holes—such as the enigma at firstbase. Keep Jason Vargas and Felix Hernandez figure out Justin Smoak.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jonathan Irwin reports on the best and worst moments of the Seattle Mariners 2012 season in this love ‘em & hate ‘em. It was a year of highs and lows, that inevitably ended in another losing season for the M’s. From King Felix Hernandez’s perfect game to the Ichiro Suzuki trade deadline, there was plenty to love and hate. Don’t foget the Jesus Montero trade, and Justin Smoak struggling.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jonathan Irwin reports today’s Mariners press release, in which it was announced that the dimensions of Safeco Field are being altered. Long renowned for it’s big outfield and tough home run fences, The Safe is one of the best pitching spots in the Major Leagues. A move like this will be great for the hitters, but will it be great for the team?
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jonathan Irwin reports on the third game of the series versus the Oakland Athletics. The Headline: an eight inning collapse by the bullpen gives the A’s life, as they complete their sweep of the Mariners. Seattle hangs tough all day with strong starting pitching, but the bullpen blows it in the final frames of the game. Michael Saunders batting sixth. Miguel Olivo at DH and Jesus Montero at catcher. Bizarre lineup.
Mariners insider Danny Ferguson brings us the Weekly Seattle Mariners notebook. Franklin Gutierrez has finally made his comeback to the team and of course continues to live up to his name of “death to flying things”. The Mariners have added 9 men to their roster so far this September. Those players are…Carlos Peguero, Carlos Triunfel, Casper Wells, Erasmo Ramierez, Hector Noesi, Luis Jimenez, Mike Carp, Shawn Kelley and Alex Liddi.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson reports on the Mariners series matchup between the Boston Red Sox vs. M’s at Safeco Field its Game 136. The pitching matchup features Red Sox RH Clay Buchholz (11-4, 4.50 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Jason Vargas (13-9, 3.90). So far this season Vargas has had 2 starts against the BoSox and is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA and has given up 3 home runs and 5 walks.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell tells us to him the best “MY oh MY” play of the twenty-first week of the year had to be the homerun and lead saving grab by Chone Figgins. On a 90 mph fastball up in the zone, Adam Dunn got just about all of this one. Figgins tracked it to the wall, timed his leap perfectly, and nabbed the ball at the top of the wall to save the then 3-1 lead for the Mariners.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jonathan Irwin reports on the third game of the series versus the White Sox. The Headline: in a rain shortened contest, Chicago has the final say as the M’s get swept. A timely home run was all the ChiSox needed to sink the Mariners in this seven inning game, wasting a strong start from Kevin Millwood. Mariner’s outfielder Michael Saunders sat out his second game in a row.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jonathan Irwin reports on the second game of the series versus the Cleveland Indians. The Headline: timely offense and a Felix Hernandez gem were all the Mariner’s needed for this win. Following his perfect game, Hernandez pitched like a Cy Young winner. A Jesus Montero 3-run homer sealed the deal for this M’s win. It was a “Montero Mash” that’s for sure.
