[jaa36]

AG: Here we are once again with The Wheelhouse, and as always, I'm Aaron Goldsmith, and here's Jerry Dipoto.

JD: Thanks for having me, Aaron.

AG: Well, the post-trade deadline Mariners have become a juggernaut, a true force to be reckoned with, entirely unstoppable in the AL West. They reeled off another eight-game winning streak, won 18 out of 24, and went 20-8 overall in August, and they now have a three-and-a-half game lead in over the Astros in the division. What kind of devil magic are the Mariners using to befuddle their competition?!?

JD: Well, let's keep in mind that this was already a team that won 98 games last year, and then added the likes of Tim Beckham, Jake Diekman, Justin Smoak, Paul Goldschmidt, Jose Quintana and Jorge Estrada, with our only substantial loss to the big-league team being Nelson Cruz. That is an influx of talent that is simply remarkable, and really demonstrates our organization's commitment to bringing a championship to Seattle.

AG: And those acquisitions have not disappointed. Beckham we've talked about before, and he's got 2.5 WAR, which is second only to Dee Gordon among the position players even though he only starts every other game. Diekman has turned into a shut-down left-handed reliever, and has a 1.56 ERA. Smoak unfortunately missed all of August with a strained ACL, but obviously was just dominant in July, and he should be back in a week or so. Goldschmidt, who we uncreatively like to call "Goldy," has ten home runs since he came to the Mariners just over a month ago. Estrada has stepped right in and has a 0.82 ERA and 37 strikeouts against two walks in his first month in Seattle. Quintana hasn't gotten off to a great start with the Mariners, but obviously big things expected of him as well.

JD: Right. He should make a really solid one-two punch with James Paxton, and with our stable of relievers we know we can shorten just about any game.

AG: One of the big stories has been the number of big outbursts by the offense. In the last two weeks alone, there have been six games where the M's have scored nine runs or more. What have the M's been eating?

JD: A heaping diet of performance-enhancing drugs. Wait, can you edit that part out? OK, thanks... can you roll that again? They've been eating a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetable and protein, all organic and locally sourced.

AG: Good to hear that everything is on the up-and-up, Jerry. Well, not that we were speaking of enhanced performances there, but what about Dee Gordon? Dee hit .347 on the month, now has his average above .300 for the season, and even flashed some power, with two home runs in August, including an extra-inning game-winner against the Yankees. But of course the big story is Dee on the bases, and he's now up to 126 stolen bases, just four off Lou Brock's all-time record, so he should break that, oh, within the week I suppose. Anything special the M's are going to do for Dee?

JD: We're putting out a special commemorative bobblehead this week, in which the head bobbles, but the feet do too. It's pretty classy. We're really proud of Dee and impressed with everything that he's done for us over the last few years. Kind of lost in all of this is the fact that he's become one of the top defensive left fielders in all of baseball this season.

AG: A couple of other guys who came alive this month have been Jean Segura and Mitch Haniger. Mitch in particular had had something of a difficult year, but what have they been doing differently in the last month or so?

JD: I think for Mitch, it's just getting back to his regular approach. He had been pressing a bit in the first half, but you've seen a lot of very patient at bats from him. As you remember, he had that monster game a few weeks ago with five hits, including the home run and three doubles, and we were ribbing him a little bit about not stretching one of those into a triple to get the cycle. Jean has had a couple of monster games this month too, including the two-homer game in which we beat the A's 9-0.

AG: And I've gotta give a little shout-out to my man Marco Gonzales. We were worried about him potentially losing his spot in the rotation earlier this year, but he was dominant in August, going 4-0 with a 1.06 ERA.

JD: And he even had an RBI double against the Diamondbacks! We love Marco's all-around athleticism, and he's been a big part of our rotation this year despite the early struggles.

AG: So the M's head into September in very good shape in the division. Healthwise, there are a few guys on the DL, but do you anticipate any of these will affect the team in October?

JD: Not really, Aaron. I mentioned Smoak will be back next week, and that'll give even more length to our offense. Kevin Pillar hit the DL with a strained elbow, but Corey Ray's been filling in pretty well in center field for now, and we expect Kevin back before the end of the regular season. Juan Nicasio missed a good chunk of August with a hamstring strain but he should be back in a few weeks, and honestly the layoff may do him some good as we approach the playoffs.

AG: It seems- strange for us to be discussing the playoffs so matter-of-factly. But really, have more or less locked up a slot, it's just a question of whether they can hold off Houston for the division or not, isn't it?

JD: Right. It's helpful to have a three-and-a-half game lead on them. We've played them even this year, to a 6-6 record, and we've got seven more games against them, so that should settle things.

AG: OK, Jerry, let's take a question from the audience. This coming from John in Rainier Beach. His question for you is, what do you see as Robinson Cano's role on the team next season and beyond?

JD: Well, right now we're focused on this season, so it's hard to say what will happen in 2020. Robbie is obviously getting paid a lot of money to be a part-time player, but he's played pretty well this season in that role, hitting over .300. The defense is not what it used to be, and you've seen him play a little bit of first base this year and DHing a lot. What we're hoping above all else is to win a championship with Robbie and Felix on the team. That makes any other decisions going forward a lot simpler.

AG: Now Jerry, you're obviously a student of baseball history. One segment we're introducing this month is one I like to call "Stump JD," in which I try to stump you on a bit of baseball trivia. Are you ready?

JD: I feel like I'm going to be blown away by your intellect here, Aaron.

AG: Here we go. I'm proud of this one. I know you are a fan of baseball, but also good comedy. I'm going to take you back to the year 1992. Can you name all of the major-league players on Mr. Burns's softball team on the Simpsons?

JD: Excellent question, Aaron- I think so. Darryl Strawberry, of course. Ken Griffey Jr., of course. The pitcher was Roger Clemens, pre-steroid, and the first baseman was Don Mattingly. Jose Canseco was in there. Ozzie Smith was in there.

AG: Right so far.

JD: The second baseman was... Steve Sax.

AG: You've got seven of them, right off the bat, no pun intended.

JD: Wade Boggs at third base.

AG: Yup.

JD: And the catcher was... it wasn't Mike Scioscia, was it?

AG: Mike Scioscia! Well done, Jerry! A true student of the game.

JD: Thanks Aaron.

AG: Well, Jerry, best of luck in September...

JD: Thank you, Aaron.

AG: And that for being with us again. We'll see you next time on The Wheelhouse.