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 Seattle Mariners tough game 2 loss to the Astros on Monday night. The good. Oliver Perez hasn’t given up a run since April 9, which has been his only allowed run in 2013. He has 10 K’s in 10 innings and deserves respect solidifying the bullpen after the M’s lost Stephen Pryor to the DL. The bad. After Kendrys Morales gave hope in the 8th, the Mariners went down quickly.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Brandon Choate reminds us that the World Baseball Classic is upon us and the Mariners will be well represented in the tournament. Besides Michael Saunders, Alex Liddi and Oliver Perez, the Mariners are sending 4 young players and a grizzled veteran in Brian Sweeney. Luiz Gohara, Kalian Sams, Thyago Vieirs, and Pedro Okuda are all looking to show the Mariners they have what it takes to advance in their system while trying to propel their home countries to a tournament win.
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 resigning of reliever Oliver Perez. The left-handed relieve returns on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, with an extra $600K in bonuses. It’s another lateral move by Jack-Z, designed to retain his solid pitching staff from 2012.
Mariners insider Danny Ferguson brings us the Weekly Seattle Mariners notebook. Mike Carp is down with injury again as is Franklin Gutierrez who is struggling with side effects of a concussion he suffered weeks ago. Felix Hernandez threw the first perfect game in Seattle Mariners history against the Tampa Bay Rays.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell weighs in with another M’s Week That Was. Intended to be a fun column, with lots of laughs and other good stuff. Normally it will be a top 10 list, a la David Letterman style. The return of Franklin Gutierrez was the highlight of the week. Newsworthy Optioned down to AAA Tacoma Rainiers were Blake Beavan and Alex Liddi. Also Seattle was swept by the San Diego Padres, but bounced back.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell tells us let’s not forget the real reason why we are all turning our attention to Japan. Opening day! The happiest day of the year! And for us Mariners fans, especially of late, a chance to relish the thought of not trailing the Angels and Rangers, even if it is short lived. A homecoming in order for Ichiro Suzuki, Hishashi Iwakuma, and Munenori Kawasaki.
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 Brandon Choate breaks out his crystal ball today and makes a bold prediction. He is predicting the Seattle Mariners 2012 starting rotation to include Felix Hernandez, Jason Vargas, Hisashi Iwakuma, Blake Beavan and Kevin Millwood. The mix of youth and age will prove to be nothing but helpful for the young Mariners team heading into the season.
