[jaa36]

AG: Welcome back to The Wheelhouse. Back with me after a long hiatus, I think, is Jerry Dipoto. And Jerry, I'm going to do things a little backwards today, and start with a listener question, from frequent contributor Tieran, who asks, is this the end? What do you say, Jerry?

JD: (deep sigh) Well, Aaron, I'm honestly embarrassed about how I behaved the last time. But since then, I think I've changed. I've gone to anger-management classes. I've taken up yoga. I stopped playing Fortnite. I think I've taken some positive steps in my life, and I think I'd like to see where this could go.

AG: Jerry- I'm touched. I've been very lonely, with no one to podcast with these last five months...

JD: Don't get all mushy on me, Aaron.

AG: Do you want to- talk about the Mariners?

JD: We can do that. But my therapist says I need to me more assertive. Do you think- No, let me try that again. I want to podcast less frequently. Like once a month.

AG: Oh, man, that's not very often. But if that's what you need right now, Jerry, that's what we'll do.

JD: Thanks, buddy.

AG: Well, let's talk about the Mariners then! What was your approach this offseason?

JD: My main goals this offseason were to retain the excellent core that we already have, and to improve our versatility, and I think we achieved both of those goals.

AG: The starting lineup one through nine is the same as last year. The rotation is the same as last year. Everybody is a little bit older. What's different this year?

JD: Well, first off, while you're correct that the lineup is the same, I don't know that that will necessarily remain the case over the course of the year. Some of our veterans like Nellie Cruz and Robbie Cano, who've been such a huge part of our team over the last several seasons, are getting up there in years, and we likely won't see them playing quite as much this season as they have in the past.

AG: One thing we've heard about this offseason is Robbie and his hypertension. Is Robbie's blood pressure under control?

JD: Good question, Aaron. We know that when Robbie's hypertension is under control, he plays much, much better. He uses a somewhat atypical treatment called furosemide, that he gets from one of the finest physicians in the Dominican Republic, who in turn provides adequate documentation that he receives the furosemide for the medical condition "hypertension" and not some other reason. It's been so helpful for him that some of our other players, including Nellie and Dee Gordon, have gone to that doctor to get their blood pressures under control too!

AG: Getting your blood pressure under control is a totally admirable goal, and one that I would think Major League Baseball is in full support of. Well, some other changes in the works as well. We saw a few players getting reps at other positions this year- Dee Gordon playing in left field, Robbie at first base, Jean Segura at third...

JD: Right, we're trying to give ourselves more options defensively. Dee is going to play in left field this year, with Kevin Pillar in center- I think that kind of optimizes our defense. Robbie will start the season at second base, but may see some time at first or at DH, and Jean or Dee can help us out at second base at well.

AG: Not too many offseason acquisitions this year. The two biggest names are Tim Beckham, Charlie Tilson and Jake Diekman. What do you expect out of them?

JD: All three of them are role players for us. Beckham comes to us as a free agent, after hitting 23 home runs with the Orioles last year playing third base. He'll be our utility infielder. Tilson we acquired for Taylor Motter and also Casey Gillaspie, a minor-league first baseman whom we're high on. Charlie is a speedy outfielder, good defender, who can get on base, and played really well in limited time last year. And Jake Diekman really fills the role that Mark Rzepczinski was in last year, situational lefty, but one who throws a lot harder.

AG: One of the strengths of this club seems to be its depth. With all the relievers, you've got Dan Altavilla, Richard Lovelady and Andrew Moore all starting the season at Tacoma. Was it hard to leave them down there?

JD: Well, we know we'll see them frequently over the course of the season. Last year was a really nice aberration, with so few injuries, but we know we can't count on that this year.

AG: Not too many injuries during the offseason- the biggest one was to Greg Holland, who had signed a minor-league contract but will miss the season with Tommy John surgery.

JD: Yeah, that was a disappointment. Greg was coming off a rough season with the Phillies and we thought he could have given us something, but it won't be this year.

AG: One of the other storylines over the winter was Ichiro's retirement. How was that for you?

JD: Oh, bittersweet, I guess. Ichiro would certainly still play if we'd let him, but I think he's been realistic about where he's at. We've offered him a sort of unusual position in our front office, where he does most of the things a baseball player would do, like take batting practice, hang out in the clubhouse, watch video on other pitchers. We're just not going to let him play in games.

AG: OK. That sounds- weird, but OK. Well, Jerry, you've got a pretty good team here. How do you like your odds this season?

JD: Well, the Astros are still pretty good, and they picked up Andrew Miller this offseason. I think we're in the same ballpark as them, no pun intended, and we hope to be right there in October like last season.

AG: No need to remind you, but that was the first Mariners playoff team in 17 years. You know, the prognosticators at the BNN have you guys winning just 73 games this year!

JD: 73 games? F*** those guys! Oh- wait- let me take a breath. Yes, that is a pessimistic projection. We think our team is better than that.

AG: Additionally you were ranked as the worst farm system in baseball for the second year in a row.

JD: Aaron, are you trying to antagonize me here? I'm going to step out here before I divert this too far from being a family-friendly podcast.

AG: OK, Jerry, we'll let you go. Thanks a million for coming back with us.

JD: You're welcome.

AG: And we'll see you- next month, I guess, on The Wheelhouse.