NWSB Insider, Seattle Mariners blogger Q tells us the 25 players named to the Mariners Opening day 2013 roster. Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, Joe Saunders, Brandon Maurer and Blake Beavan. Jason Bay also made the squad in place of Casper Wells.
The Seattle Mariners starting lineup on April 1st, 2013 will be…
March 27, 2013 By
Five days from start of the season Seattle Mariners Bench boss Eric Wedge has given enough clues for the lineup on Monday night…right? Spring Training has been nothing less than exciting for the Mariners, something that has not been said around Seattle for quite some time. With plenty of wins and a spring home run record, a breakout year [...]
Writing on the wall? Casper Wells future with Seattle
March 26, 2013 By
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the trade that went down for the M’s today. On Monday, the Mariners signed OF Endy Chavez to a minor league deal, a competent to good defensive outfielder that could step in for emergencies if injuries occurred. Also, OF Eric Thames, who was sent to AAA, could step in as well. The writing is now on the wall for Casper Wells. It looks like Jason Bay will make the club too.
Five reasons the Mariners Dustin Ackley takes the next step in 2013
March 14, 2013 By
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.
Three reasons the Mariners Kyle Seager takes the next step in 2013
March 13, 2013 By
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.
M’s Michael Saunders wins MVP of Pool D at World baseball classic
March 11, 2013 By
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the three game stretch Michael Saunders had for himself this week at the World Baseball Classic for Team Canada. Saunders was 8-for-11 over the weekend, including a 4-for-4 night Saturday against Mexico. Canada failed to advance to the second round behind Italy and team USA, but Saunders production could not be overlooked, and he was awarded the Pool MVP honors.
Positives and negatives of the Mariners 2013 pitching staff
February 4, 2013 By
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke brings us the positive and negative approaches for the upcoming MLB season with the Mariners’ pitching staff. With King Felix Hernandez leading the charge, mentions Jeff, Seattle’s youngsters could develop into a great staff in 2013. That will only be so, however, if Felix is able to step into a mentor role and guide a few promising young arms like Danny Hultzen and James Paxton.
Positives and Negatives of the Mariners infield
January 30, 2013 By
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.
Positives and Negatives of the Mariners outfield
January 27, 2013 By
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke brings us the positive and negative approaches for the upcoming MLB season with the Mariners new stacked OF. Jeff thinks there will be a trade before the season starts, most likely Casper Wells, or Franklin Gutierrez. The M’s seemed to trade their youth and speed movement, for veteran players with old legs, and less athletic skills. But bats are what the M’s are in need of, and the new players definitely bring that to the mix.
MLB Analysis: The Mariners pursuit of Billy Butler
November 24, 2012 By
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.
How will the Mariners choose a pitching staff in 2013?
November 8, 2012 By
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.
Offseason moves…what do the Mariners do in the outfield?
November 3, 2012 By
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.
