NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB insider and Mariners blogger Jon Irwin reports on the Seattle Mariners big Wednesday. After a few bumps in the road, the Mariners officially finalized King Felix’s new contract extension. That big news slightly overshadowed the news that the Mariners have traded Shawn Kelley to the Yankees for prospect Abraham Almonte.
NWSB insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jon Irwin reports on the news that Felix Hernandez is set to sign a seven-year, $175 million contract. The record setting deal is the highest ever awarded to a pitcher, and will keep King Felix a Mariner through the 2019 season.
NWSB inside and Mariner blogger Jon Irwin is recapping the Seattle Mariners attempted trade for rightfielder Justin Upton. The proposed trade would have sent Upton to Seattle, and in return the D-Backs would receive Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor and prospects Nick Franklin and Taijuan Walker. While the deal looked like a done deal, Upton invoked his no-trade clause and will stay in Arizona—for now.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about five potential players that could soon be on the Mariners’ roster. This list includes some ideas that will probably have changed by press time, and is ignoring the Jason Bay deal to Seattle that seems imminent according to Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times. Could we be seeing Jason Hamilton, Michael Bourn, and Justin Upton coming into Sea-town as well?
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jonathan Irwin reports on three potential free agents signees for the M’s. Among the list are Anibal Sanchez, Mike Napoli and B.J. Upton. All three could have a significant impact on the Mariners, and would be great moves for the offseason. The Seattle Mariners are on the fringe of becoming relevant in the American League once more.
New NWSB Insider & Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke weighs in on the M’s 2013 trade options for Kansas City Royals slugging 1B Billy Butler. No matter which way you slice it, the Mariners will have to give up one of the big three pitching prospects, Jeff says he would go with James Paxton, plus M’s stud Jason Vargas, and throw in Justin Smoak just to get him off our hands. Let’s see what the KC GM thinks.
New NWSB Insider & Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke weighs in on the M’s 2013 options in the rotation. Jeff says the three immediate choices are Felix Hernandez, Jason Vargas and Hisashi Iwakuma. After that things get a little muddled, with anywhere from three-seven pitchers who could take up the last two spots.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jonathan Irwin reports on the MLB rumors that the M’s are a suitor for Josh Hamilton. Hamilton is arguably the best hitter on the free agent market. And while the move wouldn’t make Seattle instant contenders, it gets them a lot closer. It’s speculated that he’s seeking a seven-year deal worth $175 million.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jonathan Irwin reports on the MLB breaking news this week on the extension to starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma. The two sides have agreed on a two-year deal worth at least $14 million, with an option for 2015. The move brings stabilization to a young Mariners rotation, without stunting it’s future growth.
New NWSB Insider & Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke weighs in on the M’s 2013 options in the outfield. Jeff is all in for Eric Thames. Thames only played in 40 games (the same number as Guti) for the M’s in 2013 after a midseason trade from Toronto, but he made his presence felt. Despite a .220 batting average, Thames showed some pop with a .439 slugging percentage. Mike Carp, Casper Wells, and Trayvon Robinson are in the mix too.
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…
New NWSB Insider & Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke weighs in on the M’s 2013 options at catcher. Powered by a young stud, a veteran, and a mountain man escaped from the woods, the Mariners have acquired a position of strength in Seattle—and the most powerful of the bunch may be developing in the minor leagues. With Jesus Montero, Miguel Olivo, John Jaso and Mike Zunino who wins out at backstop?
