Seattle Mariners - Ending the Drought

DD Martin · 07-02-2020, 06:03 PM

When I got up this morning I did expect what was going to happen would happen. My job in the Mariner front office was fairly recent as I had been hired as the Pro Player Development Director. The what you might ask? Well doesn't matter that title soon will not be mine for long.

As I was arrived in the spring training complex there was a certain buzz going around. Not one of those happy type things but one of shock. As I settled into my office at the complex, I talked to one of our scouts and he told me what was going on. It appears that our GM "Trader" Jerry DiPoto had just stepped down from the role as GM do to continuing health reasons. This was a complete surprise since we were just mere weeks away from Opening Day. News around the office was that Owner John Stanton was on his way down to Peoria to talk to the staff and come up with a plan to at least name an interim GM to keep the team focused on preparing for the opening of the 2020 season.

Later that afternoon, I was in a meeting with our Scouting Director Scott Hunter when I was asked to step out and come to the conference room. I excused myself and left not sure what was going on. As I stepped into the conference room there was the team owner. I had only met Mr. Stanton once right before I was hired. It was more of a formality but we spent about an hour talking player development and scouting. I thought I had made a good impression on him, but Jerry was the guy that hired me. Maybe I was going to be out since Jerry stepped down?

As I walked in Mr. Stanton gave me a look, greeted me and asked me to sit down. Then he asked the others in the room to leave. A lot of whispers among the folks leaving the room.

(Mr. Stanton was known as a fairly charitable type, that didn't meddle as much as a Steinbrenner would but more involved than the A's John Fisher. While he was charitable he had grown increasing impatient with the Mariner's lack of progress and had been pressuring the team's front office to make something happen. He had bought into the whole rebuild scenario but had seen the fans interest in Seattle diminish at the team continued to struggle.)

Stanton - I'll get right down to it Martin. Jerry has resigned as you have probably heard by now as the GM. We are only weeks away from the opening of the season and I need to get this ship steadied. I need someone with some youth and energy to get this franchise to get back to the late 90's and early 2000's team that capture the fans hearts. Winning Martin is what it takes to do that. Now as I look at your file, we signed you to a 3-year commitment in your current role. No matter what happens, I will honor that commitment.

DD Martin - Why thank you sir, I appreciate that.

Stanton - We will hold a press conference this evening announcing Jerry's official departure and your appointment as the interim GM of the team for the upcoming season.

DD Martin - (falling out of his chair) My what sir?

Stanton - Are you ok Martin? I need you to be on top of it son. This is a Billion and a half dollar enterprise and I am asking you to take over immediately as the GM. You will report directly to me as I will increase my involvement in the team.

DD Martin - (sitting back up in my chair) - Sir, I....I don't know what to say.

Stanton - Then I will say it for you (as he looks out onto the Peoria Field where the M's are playing the Royals in a spring game losing 7-3). After the game we will meet with Scott Servais and get everything set in motion. I need this front office and field management to pull together and get this team competitive sooner rather than later.

DD Martin - But sir, none of the experts feel that we will be a factor this year. They say we are years away from being in the playoffs.

Stanton - I realize that there is a lot of work to do. Jerry started this rebuild and well, I reluctantly bought in. Maybe that was a mistake, we shall see. I don't expect miracles Martin, but I want results that are promising for the not too distant future. We will get into this before we head up north for the season. But I want you to understand that you are now in control of this team. You make the deals, you sign the players and you organize the whole system. You got that Martin?

DD Martin - Yes Mr. Stanton

Stanton - And Martin, if we are going to work together you need to start calling me John. Now get to work on building me and the city of Seattle a winner!

DD Martin - You got it, Mr.....err John

And thus begins the GM career of DD Martin. Taking over a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2001.

DD Martin · 07-02-2020, 06:28 PM

After the game I met with the team Manager Scott Servais and with the team Owner John Stanton. The team was struggling this spring with 2-8 record and didn't improve on that situation with today's loss at home in Peoria. Mr. Stanton laid out what he wanted to see the rest of the spring and wanted me and Servais to get together and see if there were ways to improve the team. While he understood that there would not be a playoff spot coming this season, he didn't want to see that streak continue to be 20 seasons next year.

Scott Servais and I got to know each other a bit better after the meeting with Mr. Stanton. This would be Scott 5th season as manager of the team and he had a 322-326 record during the first 4 seasons. Last year the team went 68-94 during what Jerry DiPoto termed a "Re-imaging" had started. Scott was very personable and seemed kind, maybe too much so. He had signed an extension during the last season so he had at least financial security with 4 years remaining.

We talked about the strengths and weaknesses of the team. The strengths weren't many as our best hitter (Mitch Haniger) was on the IL following back surgery. Not exactly a promising sort of surgery after having spent a great portion of last season on the IL with groin and various other assorted injuries. He had a breakout season in 2018 hitting 285/366/859 with 26 homers and 93 RBI's. Last seasons injury plagued campaign he totaled just 63 games around 240 AB's. His salary was still modest at $3 million and we had 3 years left of team control.

Dan Vogelbach as the 1B/DH who was probably best suited to DH but that isn't our biggest problem if he is in the field. Vogelbach has tremendous raw power and blasted 30 home runs last year in his full time season.

3B Kyle Seager had signed a large contract prior to the 2015 season and had been up and down with production with his bat. Now at 32 he had 3 years remaining on his deal at $19 million for 20, $18 million for 21 and a $15 million option for 2022. Last season he hit 239/321/789 with 23 homers and 63 RBI's. We needed a serious bounce back season for him.

On the pitching side of things we had well, Marco Gonzales 28. Marco was a LHSP that came over from St. Louis in a trade and surprisingly blossomed in Seattle. He has gone 29-22 with a 3.99 ERA the last two seasons and is unquestionable the team "ace". Now Marco is a good guy, but truth be told he is not a #1 starting pitcher on a playoff contending MLB team. He would be a great middle rotation guy, but being a #1 is definitely not his strength. Marco signed a fairly team friendly type of contract covering 5 years guaranteed for $31 million and a team option for 2025 at $15 million. The first 3 years of the deal will pay him $1.5, $5.5, $5.5 and $6.5 million respectably before it moves up to $12 million in the final guaranteed year. Depending on where we are, he might be someone that gets traded with a controllable deal like that, unless of course he really shines and can be a part of our building a playoff contender.

The rest of the pitching staff will be interesting to say the least. A lot of jobs will be battling for spots as we approach the season.

DD Martin · 07-02-2020, 08:40 PM

Well we are 1 week before the start of the regular season. The team has played a little better ball as we stand at 10-14 in our Cactus League games.

On the roster front the 26-man roster (boy that is hard to get used too) seems to be coming together. We have a made a few moves this spring and they are listed below.

Seattle makes a minor traded with the Miami Marlins. The Mariners receive 2B/U player Jon Berti (30) in exchange for RF Ty Adcock (23)

The first deal we made was for utility player Jon Berti (30) from the Miami Marlins. Berti adds a player that can play 2B along with a slew of others in both the IF and OF. To acquire Berti we traded minor league RF Ty Adcock (23) who was draft in the 8th round last year from Elon University.

Seattle trades LHSP Nick Margevicius to the New York Mets for 3 players. RHSP Steven Matz (28), and minor leaguers RHSP Franklyn Kilome (24) and RHRP Walker Lockett (25).

The 2nd deal we made was one I really liked. It was for a SP that could fit towards the top of our rotation but unfortunately probably wouldn't replace Marco Gonzalez as the team "ace". It was a fairly low risk move as the P was only signed to a deal for this season and was at $5 million which we had the space for, but we did get the team to pay 15% of his salary ($750,000). Who are we talking about, well it was SP Steven Matz formerly of the New York Mets.

Met's GM Brodie Van Wagenen phoned me when we were shopping a player around (RP Nestor Cortez) and we were working on a deal for a few days involving Cortez and another Met. During the conversations Van Wagenen kept trying to unload some payroll to see if I would bite. Well when he got to Steven Matz, I decided to listen. In the end we got Matz at $4.25 million for this year along with a couple of minor league guys in RHRP Walker Lockett (25) and RHSP Franklyn Kilome (24). What we sent was a player we had picked up from the Padres in SP Nick Margevicius (23). Why was Margevicius expendable? Well he had a bit of a polarizing personality that rubbed me and some players the wrong way.

We continued to look for available SP and found 1 more deal that we liked.

The Seattle Mariners trade for Arizona's RHSP Jon Duplantier (25). Arizona receives LHRP Nestor Cortes (25) and minor league SS Donovan "Donnie" Walton (25)

So we did trade away one of the few LHRP we had in camp in Nestor Cortes as his name came up in several deals. Again Cortes had a bit of an attitude problem, and with this young and growing team that just didn't fit. Duplantier is a big kid with some upside that pitched between Reno (AAA) and the big league team in Arizona. He will start the year in Tacoma for us, but he has a strong shot at being the first SP called up in case of injury or trade.

On the free agent front we mainly looked at some young kids that have some ability, but are not near the big leagues. But we did sign free agent SP Chris Ellis to a minor league deal with a 30-day clause. If he is called up he will earn $700,000 for the 2020 season and if he isn't, he can elect free agency by the end of April.

With that we are a week away from our opening series of the year against the Texas Rangers.

DD Martin · 07-03-2020, 10:53 PM

In my continued review of the talent in the organization and also doing radio interviews, podcasts and other print media interviews, I can see what the general feeling is about the team. Based on the numbers from our sales and marketing department, public sentiment is lower than the approval rating of the president. Based on our studies and a fan rating system used throughout the league, our number comes in at 46. Our season tickets sales last year were 8,768 and we are projected to hit 8800. One of the worst things a pro sports franchise can do is create fan apathy and that's what the Mariners have right now.

Knowing in my mind that I need to drum up some serious interest in the fan base I begin looking for unsigned players that might be able to help but also have some level of (positive) fan recognition. The pickings are slim to be sure.

But before I get to that its time for another meeting with team owner John Stanton who is also talking about the fan apathy he is seeing in Seattle and even here in Peoria.

Stanton - I will get right to the point, the fans are reacting very poorly to our "re-imagining" plan. I am trying to not over-react but since Jerry's departure a lot of folks are coming out of the woodwork to speak up.

GM Martin - Yes I have noticed the fan apathy while doing interviews around the horn. There also appears to be a bit of a negative opinion of Manager Scott Servais as well.

Stanton - Well you've met him now and have talked to him, what do you think.

Martin - Honestly, if he didn't have a 4 year contract, I might be discretely searching for his replacement.

Stanton - Don't let the contract stop you. If the team struggles as badly as many are predicting, you will not have a problem from me to hire your own guy. But back to my hopes for the season. I have a few goals for you.

1.) I know we are not considered a contender, but I would like to see us at least keep 500 in clear view.
2.) I would like you to bring in a top flight player, preferably someone that the fans also like and might get excited to buy tickets to see.
3.) My long term goal would be to build up the team to reach the playoffs by 2024, but if you do it sooner I will not complain.

Martin - I'll see what I can do Boss.

To try and address some of these things and at least try and get us competitive I start scouring the waiver wire, the trade block and also if there are any free agents that might help.

Arizona has dangled SP Madison Bumgardner who's contract for 2020 is very easily handled, but it jumps up to the mid-$20m after this season. He is 30 and while maybe not the stud he once was, he shouldn't be so easily moved. I have my scout take a closer look at MadBum as he will fit into our plans this season, but could be an albatross in future years. Arizona's primary motivation seems to be financial which makes me wonder why they signed him in the first place. (Note to self - proceed with caution).

Also with Mitch Haniger on the shelf for at least 2 months, we have a gaping hole in RF and are lacking power overall. I really need to look to see if we can find a power hitter with some crowd pop. Right now Servais is playing Carlos Gonzalez, but Gonzo looks done and I do not have him making the Opening Day roster. One possibility is that won't address the fan pop issue, is we bring up young OF Kyle Lewis. Kyle is 24 and played most of last season at AA Arkansas but did have a cup of coffee with the M's. He didn't hit too bad at 261 and 6 homers in 71 AB's but I'm not sure he is ready. AAA might be the best for him, but if we don't make any other move in RF he will be the guy.

We have entered discussions with the Orioles on an OF who might suit our needs. He is young and has some power. Truth be told I'm not sold on Mallex Smith as our LF as he is more a CF type with speed and very little pop. Right now Servais is playing him in LF and starting Braden Bishop in CF.

Another power hitting name that has come up is in Detroit. He doesn't fit the OF profile, but he could play first and let Vogelbach DH. He isn't cheap on the money, but maybe the Tigers will retain a bit as it is known around the league they are trying to shed some salary.

I'll also start shopping around Cargo, not expecting much and we will likely release him but if we can get a youngster or someone who could help this season we will try.

(OOC: Arizona dangled Bumgardner for Cargo which would be too much of a steal even with that salary. If I do decide to roll the dice with MadBum, I'll at least give them something that might turn into something).

We open the season in just 5 days, so its time to act quickly.

DD Martin · 07-04-2020, 07:49 PM

We have come up to Opening Day in Major League Baseball for the 2020 season. So we will first take a quick look at the Season Predictions by Smith & Street.

The pick to win the AL East in a tight race is the Tampa Bay Rays, by 3 games over the Boston Red Sox and by 7 over the New York Yankees. Tampa is getting the nod based on what Smith and Street feels is by far the best pitching staff in the AL, led by Tyler Glasnow, Brendan McKay and Craig Morton. While some might feel that is a stretch, at least on Smith and Street paper, it is the best in the AL.

In the AL Central the pick is the Minnesota Twins with 88 wins outlasting the Chicago WhiteSox by 4 games. Some feel the Cleveland Indians might be getting overlooked here but they did have some key losses in the off-season.

In the AL West, despite all the drama of the off-season around a sign stealing scandal, the Houston Astros based on the best offense in the league should come out on top, followed closely (and surprisingly) by the Angels.

AL Wildcards will be the LA Angels and Boston Red Sox.

Over in the National League, based on the rankings they might as well not play. That is because Smith and Street likes the LA Dodgers to not only run away with the NL West, but also threaten the all-time season records for wins in a season. In 2001, the Mariners established that mark with 116 wins and based on the formula used, the Dodgers are predicated to come just under that at 115. The San Diego Padres are predicated to win the 2nd most games in the entire NL at 87 but will lose the division by a whopping 28 games.

In what might be baseball's most mediocre division, the NL Central. The St. Louis Cardinals are pegged to win just 84 games but with no one else evening fielding an above 500 record, it will be enough.

In the NL East in a tight battle the Atlanta Braves will edge out the defending champion Washington Nationals and the New York Mets by handful of games or less.

NL Wildcard Teams will be the San Diego Padres hosting the game, but there could be playoff between the Nats and the DBacks who are both predicted to win 84 games.

Up Next, Meet the 2020 Opening Day Lineup for Your Seattle Mariners!

DD Martin · 07-04-2020, 09:25 PM

What wasn't discussed much on the prediction show was the prediction of the Mariners. Well the predictions don't believe that this team will break the 18 drought and likely will finish in last place in the AL West. At 75-87, we will see if it will be good enough for team owner John Stanton.

Several fan polls are online predicting the number of Manager Scott Servais will actually manage before he is fired. The over/under is 90 so right around the All-Star break. Another poll is up on whether interim GM DD Martin will be invited back for 2021. Right now that poll shows a slightly more than 50% chance at 53.7%.

This is potentially a big transition year for the team as they look to become a playoff contender for 2021.

Now let's meet the team

Starting Pitchers
LHSP Marco Gonzales (28) $1,500,000 - (16-13 3.99 ERA in 2019) The leader of this staff the last 2 season out of Gonzaga University. He is signed through 2025 and the Mariners hope he can continue to build on the sucess he has found first 2 full seasons in Seattle.

RHSP Steven Matz (28) $5,000,000 (11-10 4.21 ERA with NY Mets) Has rebounded well from shoulder troubles back in 2017. Doesn't seem to be the dominate pitcher he was before that injury, but is still young enough to regain his former form. He isn't thrilled with the trade from New York currently.

LHSP Yusei Kikuchi (28) $14,000,000 (6-11 5.46 ERA 2019) - Had a rough start to his MLB career after a successful career in Japan. Signed to a guaranteed contract through 2021 with option year in 2022. Mariners have to hope that he can find the success that made him 30-10 2.50 ERA with the Seibu Lions in 2017-2018

RHSP Kendall Graveman (29) $1,500,000 (1-5 7.80 ERA in Oakland 2018) - Reclamation project #1 in the Seattle rotation. Graveman had moderate success in Oakland prior to 2018 but sat out most of last year following surgery. Team option at $3,500,000 for 2021 so an inexpensive trial candidate.

RHSP Taijuan Walker (27) $2,000,000 (9-9 3.46 ERA in Arizona 2017) Former Mariner 1st round pick in 2010 returns to Seattle after 2 injury ruined seasons. Walker is young but like Graveman is another reclamation project.

Starting pitching assessment - Gonzalez has been a solid hand with the Mariners and Matz looks like he has made it back the last 2 years with the Mets. Team lacks a true #1 SP and has 2 reclamation projects and Kikuchi who struggled mightily in his first season in MLB. For the team to have any shot at a 500 record, they need this group to 1.) be healthy and 2.) have the 3-5 starters find their form.

Bullpen -
LHCL Taylor Guilbeau (26) $563,500 (0-0 3.65 ERA in 12 innings Seattle 2019) - Scott Servais has handed the closing duties to the inexperienced lefty from Alabama. Came over to Seattle from the Washington Nationals in a trade at the deadline in 2019.

RHRP Carl Edwards Jr. (28) $950,000 (1-1 8.47 ERA between Cubs and SD in 2019) Veteran reliever will be one of the 2 setup relievers in the bullpen. Last season was a disaster, but was successful as recently as 2018 with a 2.60 ERA

RHRP Dan Altavilla (27) $563,500 (2-1 5.52 ERA Seattle) Has a 3 pitch mix with a dominate fastball and slider but control issues have caused some concern and stopped him from realizing his full potential.

RHRP Brandon Brennan (28) $575,000 (3-6 4.56 ERA Seattle) - Throws a hard sinker with a slider and change. He needs to control his walks

RHRP Yoshihisa Hirano (36) $1,600,000 (5-5 4.75 ERA Arizona) - One of the few veteran players on the team. Had 2 solid seasons in Arizona prior to coming to Seattle.

RHRP Yohan Ramirez (24) $563,500 *Rule 5 pick* (3-5 4.76 ERA at AA Corpus Christi) Has electric stuff and profiles as a SP, but he is the 2nd coming of "wild thing".

LHRP Wei-Yin Chen (36) $563,500 (0-1 6.59 ERA Miami) Made the team because he is only lefty reliever besides closer Guilbeau. Prognosis is he will be released as soon as a more capable LHRP is available (waivers perhaps). He is popular in Seattle so he has that going for him and might give him a little time.

RHRP Jharel Cotton (28) $640,000 (0-2 7.71 ERA AAA Las Vegas) The very popular (big reason he was acquired) RP is at the back end of the bullpen. He could be plugged in as an emergency SP but most likely will be the long man.

Bullpen Assessment - Dumpster fire

Next - The position players

DD Martin · 07-05-2020, 04:02 PM

2020 Mariner Position Players

Catchers -
C Tom Murphy R (28) $563,500 (273/324/858 17-40 Seattle) Murphy is a tremendous defensive catcher who showed surprising pop last season hitting 17 homers. His emergence made the trade of Omar Narvaez possible in the off-season.

C Austin Nola (30) $563,500 (269/342/796 10-31 Seattle) Leadership and versatility are his calling cards. Besides catcher can play solid + defense on the right side of the infield and fill in defense at the left.

Position Summary - Solid defense with some pop out of both and cheap. Very cost effective if not spectacular solutions.

Infielders (starters listed first)

1B Jake Lamb L $5,515,000 (193/323/676 6-30 Arizona) Seattle native has had a tough last couple of injury plagued seasons in Arizona. Came over late in spring training on a trade where Arizona ate a portion of salary. Due to his defense will be the everyday first baseman.

2B Shed Long 24 L $563,500 (263/333/787 5-15 168AB Seattle) - Last seasons 2nd half call up will be the everyday 2B against right hand pitchers and is pegged to start the season as left hand SP at DH. He looks like he could be the Mariner's answer at 2B for years to come.

SS JP Crawford 25 L $563,500 (226/313/684 7-46 Seattle) Solid defensive shortstop with good range but is still trying to find his stroke at the big league level. Mariner's are hoping that he can step up his hitting and make the position his alongside Shed for years to come.

3B Kyle Seager L (32) $19,000,000 (239/321/789 Seattle) Solid glove but erratic bat that goes long stretches in a funk. Is under contract this season and next ($18,000,000) and club has a team option at $15 million for 22 that will need to see solid production to be picked up.

2B/U John Berti R (30) $563,500 (273/348/755 6-24 Miami) Brings the ability to play both infield and outfield spots and a rare right handed bat. Will start season as 2B versus left handed SP.

DH/1B Dan Vogelbach L (27) $563,500 (208/341/780 30-76 Seattle) Will start the season as DH against right hand SP. Is a typical power hitter with low average with high walks and even more K's.

2B/CF Dee Gordon L (31) $13,500,000 (275/304/663 3-34) Aging speedster has lost his starting roles at both 2B and CF and is not a pinch hitter/runner. Likely last year in Seattle as team option barring a miracle will not be picked up for next season. If the team can trade him, they will but in spring training not so much as a nibble.

Position Summary - Nice youthful combo up the middle but needs consistency by the two at the plate to be really effective. 3B Seager hasn't had a "good" season since 2016 with the bat. Lamb at 1B is local, popular but injury prone and has struggled in recent seasons. Berti is a nice utility player and with help form Nola can round out the infield. Look for Vogelbach to get everyday at bats soon despite low batting average.

Outfielders
LF Anthony Santander (25) S $563,500 (261/297/773 20-59 Baltimore) Acquired in spring training to help fill the void of Mitch Haniger injury and for a right handed bat presence as a switch hitter. Not great in the field or with his eye at the plate but has some pop to occasionally excite the fans.

CF Mallex Smith 26 L $2,350,000 (227/300/635 6-37) Had a great 2018 season in Tampa after starting career in Seattle and has now returned once again. Last year was a real disappointment at the plate with average but did swipe 46 bags and gives a leadoff speedster presence at top of the order.

RF Kyle Lewis 24 R $563,500 (263/342/741 11-62 AA Arkansas) Team likely would have liked him to get a few AAA at-bats early in the season but the injury to Haniger, the release of the ineffective Car-Go and his decent trial at the end of last season in the majors will give him his shot. Has at least 7 weeks to solidify his spot on roster before the hopefully return of Haniger from the IL.

OF Braden Bishop 26 R $563,500 ( 276/360/847 8-31 AAA Tacoma) Excellent defensive CF that was slotted there to start before acquisition of Santander. Hit well at AAA but struggled in call up to Seattle last season. Team officials are hoping that he is more than a 4th OF or AAAA player.

Position Summary - Fans will be watching hoping that Smith returns to his Tampa 2018 batting and that both Lewis and Santander can deliver in the corners. Haniger's return only makes the unit stronger but will force someone to go down to AAA.

Team Prediction - While Smith and Streets (BNN) has the team pegged at 75 wins, I am thinking that is generous. While the team has some power with left handed hitting, it will likely struggle against left handed pitching. The Mariner's pitching is a dumpster fire at best after Gonzalez and Matz. Without further improvement of personel or return to form by multiple players, I see 70-92 as a best case scenario.

Next Up - Opening Day and Week 1 of the 2020 season

DD Martin · 07-05-2020, 10:30 PM

Opening Day always brings a lot of hope and joy for fans of teams. Where spring optimism and false hope tend to fade by Memorial Day. Last year the Mariners raced out of the games bashing homers and winning games like nobodies business. After 2 weeks the M's looked legit at 11-2 and the surprise of the American League. Of course a reality check in a home series against the Astros (Houston swept the 3 game series) and then another home series sweep loss to the Indians told the truth.

Will this season start out with a bang last year (11-2) or stand like the season ended (57-92)? Most likely the latter although odds in Vegas have the Mariners winning more games than they did last season (68), progress right?

The season opens with a 4-game series against AL West rival, the Texas Rangers. A near sellout crowd is expected to be on hand to open the new season. The Rangers led the all-time series against the M's with a 343-331 advantage. But Seattle has held its home field even if just barely, holding the edge at home 174-161.

Last season the Rangers went 78-84 good for 3rd in the AL West 29 games behind the Astro's. This season the Rangers are picked 4th in the AL West with a projected record of 79-83. So the M's and Ranger's will likely be battling each other this year to stay out of the cellar. The Ranger's are led by a former 3B and now RF Joey Gallo. Last season Gallo only played in 70 games but hit for his highest average in his MLB career at 253 wiht 22 homers and 49 RBI's. A big off-season free agent signing was former Cy Young Award winner Cory Kluber who only pitched in 7 games last season before a line drive up the middle broke his right forearm. The Ranger's hope Kluber and revert back to that Cy Young Award level. Also on the mound, coming back for his second season as a Ranger is RHSP Lance Lynn who went 16-11 3.67 in his first season with the Rangers. And finally a long time Ranger who played one season in Houston has signed back is C Robinson Chirinos. The fans love that Robinson has returned to Arlington.

Pitching Match-ups (Seattle will always be listed first)

Marco Gonzalez (16-13 3.99 last season) vs Cory Kluber (2-3 5.80 last season Cleveland)
Steven Matz (11-10 4.26 last season NY Mets) vs Lance Lynn (16-11 3.67 last season)
Yusei Kikuchi (6-11 5.46 last season) vs Mike Minor (14-10 3.59 last season)
Kendall Graveman (1-5 7.60 2018 Oakland) vs Kyle Gibson (13-7 4.84 last season Minnesota)

Game #1 Seattle 0-0 vs Texas 0-0
Mariners Hope Opening Day Win (8-3) Bodes Well for Season
The Seattle Mariners started the 2020 season win an impressive 8-3 win against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park. Marco Gonzales, who finished 5th in the AL in wins with 16 last year, led the way for Seattle.

Kyle Seager tagged a home run off Corey Kluber in the bottom of the first. His 2-run blast put the Mariners on top, 2-0. In all, Seager had 1 single in addition to the home run, while going 2 for 5.

"Marco was pounding the zone," said Seattle manager Scott Servais.

WP - Marco Gonzales 1-0 3.68 LP - Cory Kluber 0-1 6.75
Home Runs: D. Vogelbach (1, 5th Inning off L. Farrell, 0 on, 1 out) K. Seager (1, 1st Inning off C. Kluber, 1 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game - Marco Gonzales
A - 46,666 (capacity 47,116) 99.1%

Game #2 Seattle Mariners 1-0 vs Texas Rangers 0-1
No Mercy for Rangers in 14-1 Pounding
The Seattle Mariners relied on the hitting of first baseman Jake Lamb to stop the Texas Rangers, 14-1. For the game, Lamb was 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 singles, and a walk, while scoring 3 times and driving in 5. Steven Matz got the win, improving to 1-0. He worked 8 innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits, while striking out 9 and walking 1. The Mariners, now 2-0, have been playing some good baseball.

Lamb had an important at-bat with runners on 2nd and 3rd in the bottom of the sixth, when he hit a 2-run single. The Mariners went on to win.

"You can't sugarcoat this one," said Texas manager Chris Woodward. "We got the snot knocked out of us."

WP - Steven Matz 1-0 1.13 LP - Lance Lynn 0-1 6.75
Home Runs: J. Lamb (1, 7th Inning off N. Goody, 2 on, 1 out) D. Vogelbach (2, 8th Inning off C. Allen, 1 on, 1 out) T. Murphy (1, 6th Inning off L. Garcia, 1 on, 2 outs)
Player of the Game - Jake Lamb
A - 33,245 (70.6%)

Game #3 - Seattle Mariners 2-0 vs Texas Rangers 0-2
Minor Now 1-0 After Subduing Mariners 7-0
Texas got a strong outing from Mike Minor as the Rangers defeated the Seattle Mariners, 7-0, at T-Mobile Park. The loss has the Mariners at 2-1.

Minor allowed no runs over 7.2 innings. He also racked up 6 strikeouts.

"Mike -- his tempo and rhythm were good," said Rangers manager Chris Woodward. "He was the key to us winning."

WP - Mike Minor 1-0 0.00 LP - Yusei Kikuchi 0-1 23.14
Home Runs: Rangers - D. Santana (1, 5th Inning off J. Cotton, 0 on, 0 outs) T. Frazier (1, 3rd Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 2 on, 1 out)
Play of the Game - Mike Minor
A - 35,111 (74.6%)

Game #4 - Seattle 2-1 vs Texas Rangers 1-2
Mariners Bridle Rangers, 4-3
Seattle picked up a win at T-Mobile Park, toppling the Texas Rangers, 4-3. Pitcher Kendall Graveman was one of the reasons the Mariners triumphed. Dan Altavilla, summoned from the bullpen, notched his 1st save. The victory makes Seattle 3-1.

Braden Bishop contributed to the Seattle win with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth. For the game, the center fielder had 2 hits in 4 at-bats with 1 home run, 1 single, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI.

"Kendall -- his tempo and rhythm were good," said Mariners manager Scott Servais. "He was the key to us winning."

WP - Kendall Graveman 1-0 1.42 LP - Kyle Gibson 0-1 6.00 S - Dan Altavila 1 0.00
Home Runs: B. Bishop (1, 5th Inning off K. Gibson, 0 on, 0 outs)
Player of the Game - Kendall Graveman
A - 32,719 (69.5%)

Week 1 thoughts - Not a bad way to start the season going 3-1 at home. Really nice starts for 3 of our 4 starting pitchers to open the season with the exception of the highest paid one. Yusei Kikuchi was bombed in game 3 8 hits and 6 runs in just 2.1 innings to open the season with a 23.14 ERA. At least he will be well rested after only tossing 52 pitches in the game.

Definitely pleased with the attendance with the near miss sellout on opening night followed by strong 32,000+ crowds all weekend. I know we won't stay on a 36,000+ plus pace, but it did put a smile on Mr. Stanton's face.

So far the only home runs given up by the pitching staff were in game #3 with (you guessed it) Kikuchi giving up a pair. On the other hand we managed to hit 6 in the opening 4 games. Which is normally a pretty good number but puts us at just 8th in the AL. A lot of balls were flying out of the ballparks opening weekend.

DH Dan Vogelbach had a nice series hitting 2 homeruns and driving in 5 and has a nice 364 average too.

Before I forget, we had 1 IL move that had to be made. Why? because RP Carl Edwards who didn't pitch in either of the first 2 games had an off the field accident prior to Saturday's game 3. Carl suffered what team trainer Kyle Torgerson reported as an undisclosed injury. Now Torgie didn't actually get to see Carl in person, but was sent a doctor's note excusing Edwards for 2 weeks. I am not sure what to make of this but when I talked to Edwards on the phone he said he was injured while helping a friend move. I might have to get team private investigator Dexter Horton to review this situation more closely. Anyway we sent Edwards and whatever ails him to the IL and called up RHRP Zac Grotz from Tacoma.

Next week - 3 at home versus the Minnesota Twins (1-3) and then off on the road for 3 with the Kansas City Royals (2-1) in a unique series schedule with a game Thursday, an off-day on Friday and then games on Saturday and Sunday.

DD Martin · 07-06-2020, 09:22 PM

Week 2 of the 2020 Season

The 2nd week of the season brings us a full slate of games, 6 in all. We start the week continuing the home stand against the favorites in the AL Central, the Minnesota Twins. Then we venture on the road for the first time in the 2020 season with 3 games in KC against the Royals.

Mariners vs Twins
Seattle's T-Mobile Park
March 30-31, April 1st

Pitching Matchups
Taijuan Walker (9-9 3.49 ERA 2017 Arizona) vs Homer Bailey (6-3 4.30 ERA 2019 Oakland)
Marco Gonzales (1-0 3.68 2020) vs Matt Wisler (0-0 6.00 2020)
Steven Matz (1-0 1.13 2020) vs Jose Berrios (1-0 1.29 2020)

The Mariners actually led the all-time series against the Twins by the count of 232-222 and hold a 125-101 advantage in Seattle. The Twins were winners of 101 games last season in a surprising run to the AL Central title and are looking to do the same again.

The Twins currently have some injuries to mostly their pitching staff with several players on the IL. Veteran SP Rich Hill will start the season on the IL (no surprise there) and will be out until likely June 1st. Former Mariner/Yankee SP Michael Pineda is also on the shelf for at least another 5 weeks. RP Fernando Romero is out for 2 weeks and then another big blow as SP Kenta Maeda lasted just 2 innings against Oakland in the opening series and tore his UCL and will have Tommy John Surgery tomorrow and will be out until sometime next season. This rash of injuries might explain why former Brave and Mariner reject Matt Wisler is in the Minnesota rotation.

The Twins are led by some young star players (Jose Berrios, Mitch Garver, Miguel Sano) with mix of productive veterans (Nelson Cruz, Josh Donaldson). If they can survive the early injuries to the starting rotation they are the favorites to win the Central.

Game #5 - Seattle Mariners 3-1 vs Minnesota Twins 1-3
Walker Now 1-0 After Subduing Twins 3-0
In a well-pitched game between the Seattle Mariners and the Minnesota Twins, pitcher Taijuan Walker was superb. The Seattle right-hander helped his team win, 3-0. The Mariners, now 4-1, have played some good baseball in the early going.

Walker, who was born in Yucaipa, California, threw 109 pitches over 7 innings, while allowing no runs.

Walker called the win "a team effort."

WP - Taijuan Walker 1-0 0.00 LP - Homer Bailey 0-1 4.26 S- Yoshihisa Hirano 1 0.00
Home Runs: J. Lamb (2, 5th Inning off H. Bailey, 0 on, 0 outs)
Player of the Game - Taijuan Walker
A - 28,288 (60.1%)

Notes after game - While the win was nice and it was a great return to Seattle and to the Major Leagues by Taijuan Walker, there is a potential down side. 2B Shed Long in the top of the 7th after fielding a grounder hit by Max Kepler and throwing him out at 1st, grabbed his back in obvious discomfort. Team Trainer Torgerson went out to take a look and him and determined he could not continue. Dee Gordon took over at 2B and will be likely slotted as the starter for the duration of the injury to Long. He will undergo further examination tomorrow. We decide to wait a day before making a move on Long to the IL.

Also prior to the game, the Oakland A's GM David Forst called up in response to our spring training desire to acquire a power hitting OF. He offered Khris Davis (while retaining 65% of his salary) but asked for Taylor Guilbeau and minor league LHP Aaron Fletcher in return. Davis has done well in Oakland and was a model of consistency in 2016-2018 hitting 247 each season while hitting 43+ home runs each season. Last year he struggled more hitting only 220 with 23 home runs. Davis is under contract for this season and next and our cost would be a little under $6 million per season. If this was last season, I might have pulled the trigger on this deal. We decided that while Davis is a fine slugger and might fit in well, we didn't want to take playing time away from either Santander of Lewis in the corner OF slots.

Finally the Twins have decided to push back Matt Wisler and named Jose Berrios the SP Tuesday. This sets up a match up between Berrios and Gonzales. Wisler has be tentatively pushed back to Wednesday facing Steven Matz.

Game #6 - Seattle Mariners 4-1 vs Minnesota Twins 1-4
Gonzales at His Best, Whips Twins 5-0
The Twins can take comfort in knowing that they will not have to face Marco Gonzales again for a while. The 28-year-old hurler pitched a 4-hit shutout to help the Seattle Mariners beat Minnesota 5-0. In the process, Gonzales struck out 9 and walked 0.

WP - Marco Gonzales 2-0 1.65 LP - Juan Berrios 1-1 3.38
Home Runs: K. Seager (2, 7th Inning off T. Clippard, 2 on, 2 outs)
Player of the Game - Marco Gonzales (2)
A - 32,899 (69.9%)

Well the diagnosis on 2B Shed Long came back and we are relieved. Trainer Kyle Torgerson responded that Long issues were back spasms and that with some treatment should be able to be with the team available for the start of the series in KC. Long will not start Wednesday versus the Twins and might be held out Thursday in KC as there is the odd off day on Friday.

Game #7 - Seattle Mariners 5-1 vs Minnesota Twins 1-5
Twins Take Down Mariners, 9-8 in 11
The Minnesota Twins defeated the Seattle Mariners, 9-8, in American League action at T-Mobile Park. Nelson Cruz pulled his weight. The 16-year veteran slugged 2 home runs. He drove in 4 runs and scored twice. With the loss, Seattle drops to 5-2.

Minnesota used the clutch hitting of Jorge Polanco to capture the win. The shortstop drilled a run-scoring double in the top of the 11th inning to give the Twins the lead, 9-8. For the game, Polanco had 3 singles and 1 double in 6 at-bats.

In postgame comments, Cruz said he was glad to contribute to an exciting win.

WP - Taylor Rogers 1-0 0.00 LP - Zac Grotz 0-1 9.00
Home Runs: Minnesota - N. Cruz 2 (5, 1st Inning off S. Matz, 1 on, 1 out; 3rd Inning off S. Matz, 1 on, 2 outs) Seattle - T. Murphy (2, 4th Inning off M. Wisler, 0 on, 0 outs)
Player of the Game - Nelson Cruz
A - 35,199 (74.7%)

Pitcher Steven Matz left the game after his warm-up tosses prior to the start of the 4th inning. According to Mariner Manager Scott Servais, Matz felt some tightness on the cool April evening so as a precaution the team took him out of the game. Matz wasn't particular sharp on this night in his 3 innings as he gave up 4 hits and 4 earned runs.

I'm a little discouraged with our closer Taylor Guilbeau as he has been roughed up in his 3 outings to the tune of a 20.25 ERA and a blown save (tonight's game against the Twins). It's still early but I have noticed that Scott has been using both Altavita and Hirano in key situations as well.

A solid home stand for us going 5-2. We are in 2nd place in the AL West as Oakland has jumped out to a 6-1 record.

If Shed Long handles the flight down to Kansas City well, he will likely be starting on Thursday.

Seattle Mariners @ Kansas City Royals - 3 games Thursday 2nd, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th (off day on Friday the 4th)

The Royals come into this series with a 3-2 record after starting on the road against the White Sox and the Tigers. The Royals lead the all time series against the Mariners 232-221 and hold the edge at Kaufmann Stadium as well 126-106. The Royals enter the season with a similar expectation as the Mariners do as far as a won/loss record goes. The Royals were predicted 4th in the Central with a 74-88 mark by Smith & Streets (BNN).

It's early in the season but currently the Royals pitching is preforming better than there hitting. The Royals have the #5 rotation ERA at 3.77 and their bullpen ranks 6th with the same 3.77 ERA. In contrast the Mariners have the #2 rotation ERA at 3.14 and are 4th in the AL as a bullpen at 3.27. Offensively the Royals are 12th in batting average at 241 and 14th in OBP at 297 and are slugging at a 386 clip. Conversely the Mariner's are 6th in average (272), 9th in OBP (326), and 8th in slugging (456).

The Royals are led on offense by Jorge Soler who finally had his big coming out party last season when he hit 265/354/922 with a league leading 48 home runs and drove in 117 RBI's. He still led the league in whiffs last season with a 178. Can he duplicate last seasons heroics? So far he is off to a rough start with a 178 batting average. Another star on the roster is do everything 2B Whit Merrifield. A subject of frequent trade rumors over the last several seasons Merrifield hit 302 last season with 20SB, 105 runs scored and 16 home runs with 74 RBI's. SS Adalberto Mondesi is looking to continue to build on his rookie season where he hit 263 but struggle to draw walks (19) and only had a 291 OBP.

On the pitching side of things, well there is not a lot on paper there to talk about. So far this season they look better than advertised but it has only been 5 games.

Pitching Match Ups
Yusei Kikuchi (0-1 23.14) vs Brett Anderson (13-9 3.89 Last Season in Oakland)
Kendall Graveman (1-0 1.42) vs Jakob Junis (1-0 10.38)
Taijuan Walker (1-0 0.00 vs Danny Duffy (0-1 6.00)

Game #8 - Seattle Mariners 5-2 @ Kansas City Royals 3-2
Royals McBroom Jacks Two Home Runs in 6-4 Kansas City Win
The Kansas City Royals beat the Seattle Mariners by a score of 6-4. first baseman Ryan McBroom deserved the lion's share of the credit. McBroom slugged 2 home runs, while scoring 3 runs and driving in 3 for the Royals. Brett Anderson earned the win for Kansas City. He lasted 5.2 innings, allowing 1 run on 7 hits, while striking out 4. With the win, he raised his record to 1-0. The win gives Kansas City a record of 4-2.

With Kansas City leading 4-1 in the bottom of the seventh, McBroom hit a changeup from Yusei Kikuchi for a 2-run home run. It was his 2nd home run of the season (and of the game against Kikuchi) and put the Royals ahead, 6-1.

"We take it day by day here," said McBroom, "and today was a good one for us."

WP - Brett Anderson 1-0 1.59 LP - Yusei Kikuchi (0-2 12.46) S- Ian Kennedy 3 0.00
Home Runs: KC - R. McBroom 2 (2, 6th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 0 on, 0 outs; 7th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 1 on, 1 out), SEA - Home Runs: S. Long Jr. (1, 9th Inning off J. Lopez, 1 on, 2 outs)
Player of the Game - Ryan McBroom
A - 26427

Game #9 - Seattle Mariner's 5-3 @ Kansas City Royals 4-2
Royals Solve Mariners, 5-3
The Kansas City Royals defeated the Seattle Mariners, 5-3, in American League action at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City pitcher Jakob Junis had a standout performance. The Royals raised their record to 5-2.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Jorge Soler had a game-changing hit. The Royals designated hitter slammed a run-scoring single off Brandon Brennan, making the score 4-3, Kansas City.

"We'll relax tonight and get back after it tomorrow," Junis said after the game.

WP - Scott Barlow 1-0 0.00 LP - Kendall Graveman 1-1 2.84 S - Ian Kennedy 4 0.00
Home Runs: KC - B. Phillips (3, 7th Inning off K. Graveman, 0 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game Jakob Junis
A - 17682

Game #10 Seattle Mariner's 5-4 @ Kansas City Royals 5-2
Walker Looks Legit as Mariners Win at Kansas City, 5-2
Seattle pitcher Taijuan Walker did his part in helping his team beat the Kansas City Royals, 5-2. The right-hander kept opposing batters in check throughout the game. Taylor Guilbeau collected his 1st save. The win puts Seattle at 6-4.

Jon Berti, the 30-year old second baseman , had a direct impact on the outcome. Berti contributed a 2-run home run in the top of the third inning to put Seattle up, 3-0.

"We can always improve and get better, but we're feeling confident after that win," said Berti.

WP - Taijuan Walker 2-0 1.20 LP - Danny Duffy 0-2 6.75 S- Taylor Guilbeau 1 11.57
Home Runs: J. Berti (1, 3rd Inning off D. Duffy, 1 on, 0 outs)
Player of the Game Taijuan Walker (2)
A - 19,176

Mariner season record 6-4 2nd place 2GB Oakland

Comments - Have to admit I was kind of hoping for a bit more in this series. We have a glaring problem that doesn't seem to be getting and better and that is Yusei KiKuchi. While he pitched better in this game (6 ER in 6.1) and he about halved his ERA down to 12.46, he is not keeping us in games. I need to see some progress or he might be on his way to Tacoma to work things out. Although the thought of him pitching in the hitter friendly PCL might be a delight to hitters, it might not help him out either.

Taijuan Walker has been a huge early season success story coming back from injury. Right now (I Know its way too early) his signing looks like a huge success. If we are going to stay around 500 this season we are going to need him to keep it going.

We sent a scout out to kick the tires on LHP Danny Salazar who was still on the free agent market after the start of the season. But while we were kicking the tires and checking his spotty medicals, Tampa Bay was impressed enough with him to sign him to a deal. We were looking for depth so we would have only offered him a minor league deal with a 30-day callup option for around $1.0 million. He wanted $1.5 million but settled for a similar deal as to what we would have offered with a $900,000 contract and $132,500 in incentives. Tampa called him up and he got the win in his opening start pitching well.

There are some interesting names on the waiver wire where Oakland DFA SP Mike Fiers who pitched 7 innings of shutout ball in his only start (only gave up 1 hit too). But his $8.1 million contract is more than we can handle right now.

Boston gave Rusney Castillo 1 AB before finally admitting that was a terrible signing several years ago (2014). I don't see anyone biting on that deal.

On the injury news around the league, besides Kenta Maeda being out for the A's. The White Sox lost promising 24 year-old Dylan Cease to a torn rotator cuff and he will be out until May of next year. Also having an early end to the season was Cincinnati RP Robert Stephenson to the same injury. The miracle workers in Cincinnati hope that he will be ready in time for spring training next season.

Next up on the schedule - Week 3 of the season as the M's go to Chicago to play the White Sox (3-6) for 3 and then come home and face the Boston Red Sox (4-6)

DD Martin · 07-11-2020, 11:23 PM

The Mariners head to Chicago to take on the White Sox in a early season battle. The Sox hold a lead in the all-time series by a count of 241-212 and a commanding advantage in the Windy City 136-94.

On the season the White Sox are 3-6 in the AL Central and sitting in 3rd place trailing the division leading Indians by 4.5 games. They are led by one of the games best young RHSP Lucas Giolito. Giolito was 14-9 with an ERA in the mid 3's and has struggled to start this season 0-0 5.11. Giolito will get the opening game assignment against Mariner "ace" Marco Gonzales. The White Sox signed top free agent C Yasmani Grandal. Grandal is hitting 255 with 4 homers and 9 RBI's. They also have a good young 3B/2B in Yoan Moncada as well in the lineup along with veteran 1B Jose Abreau.

The White Sox are struggling the most in the pitching staff and the bullpen has been the most atrocious. So far the bullpen has an ERA of 7.70 good for 13th in the AL (hard to believe there are worse, but Boston and the Angels are). The starting pitchers aren't doing much better with a 6.02 ERA (11th).

Pitching Match Ups
Marco Gonzales 2-0 1.65 vs Gio Gonzalez 0-1 7.20
Steven Matz 1-0 4.09 vs Lucas Giolito 0-0 5.11
Yusei Kikuchi 0-2 12.46 vs Alex McRae 0-0 1.42

Seattle Mariners 6-4 2nd AL West vs Chicago White Sox 3-6
Guaranteed Rate Field - Chicago 40,615 capacity

Game #11 Seattle Mariners 6-4 @ Chicago White Sox 3-6
White Sox Sneak Past Mariners, 3-2
The Chicago White Sox beat the Seattle Mariners, 3-2. Chicago pitcher and Hialeah, Florida, native Gio Gonzalez led the way. Reliever Aaron Bummer picked up the win. His record improves to 1-1. Marco Gonzales took the loss. The save was Jace Fry's, his 1st.

Leury Garcia helped out the Chicago cause in the bottom of the eighth inning with a run-scoring sacrifice fly. For the game, the second baseman went 1 for 3.

"You can't get too high when things go well, or too low when things go bad. Right now, I'm just happy we got the win," Garcia told the Chicago Gazette.

The win has Chicago at 4-6.

WP - Aaron Bummer 1-1 5.40 LP - Marco Gonzalez 2-1 2.28 S - Jace Fry 1 4.50
Player of the Game - Gio Gonzalez
Home Runs: T. Murphy (3, 4th Inning off G. Gonzalez, 0 on, 0 outs) CH Home Runs: E. Jimenez (3, 6th Inning off M. Gonzales, 1 on, 2 outs)
A - 17,292

** We lost to the pitcher named Bummer (shakes his head) but we still have a winning record, but for how long.

Game #12 Seattle Mariners 6-5 @ Chicago White Sox 4-6
Dominant Performance by Matz in Seattle Win 5-3
Seattle Mariners starter Steven Matz was in a groove as he led his team to a win over the Chicago White Sox, 5-3. Taylor Guilbeau earned the save, his 2nd, for the Mariners. The White Sox fall to 4-7 and continue their uninspiring start to the 2020 season.

Matz scattered 3 hits over 7 innings for the Mariners. With the win, Matz goes to 2-0 on the year with 19 strikeouts.

"We'll kick back tonight, then get set for the next one," Matz said.

WP - Steven Matz 2-0 2.50 :P - Lucas Giolito 0-1 4.67 S - Taylor Guilbeau 2 10.80
Home Runs: T. Murphy (4, 6th Inning off K. Herrera, 1 on, 2 outs) CH Home Runs: Y. Grandal (2, 9th Inning off J. Cotton, 1 on, 0 outs) E. Encarnacion (2, 9th Inning off T. Guilbeau, 0 on, 0 outs)
Player of the Game - Steven Matz (2)
A - 18,656

Game #13 - Seattle Mariners 7-5 @ Chicago White Sox 4-7
Mariners Drop White Sox, 7-4
The Seattle Mariners topped the Chicago White Sox, 7-4, with first baseman Jake Lamb playing a big role. Lamb went 2 for 4 with a home run, while scoring 2 runs and driving in 3 for the Mariners in the win. Yusei Kikuchi earned the win for Seattle. He lasted 8 innings, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits, while striking out 2. With the win, he raised his record to 1-2. Taylor Guilbeau picked up the save, his 3rd.

Early in the game, Lamb had a 2-run home run for Seattle. It was his 3rd home run of the season and put the Mariners on top, 2-0.

"Feels good to get the job done," Lamb said after the game.

The win gives Seattle a record of 8-5.

WP - Yusei Kikuchi 1-2 8.64 LP - Cody Anderson 0-1 9.53 S- Taylor Guilbeau 3 8.31
Home Runs: J. Lamb (3, 2nd Inning off C. Anderson, 1 on, 1 out) CH Home Runs: J. McCann (2, 6th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 0 on, 2 outs) E. Encarnacion (3, 6th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 0 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game - Jake Lamb
A - 15,901

GM Summary - So we took 2 out of 3 from the White Sox and head back home to T-Mobile Park with an 8-5 record. With Marco taking a loss in game 1 of the series and Kikuchi starting the finale, I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised we took 2 out of 3. Kikuchi threw his best start by far going 8 innings giving up 9 hits and 4 earned runs. Not great, not a quality start but he kept us in the game so Lamb could provide some heroics and get him the win.

Wei-Yin Chin is injured but will only be out the rest of the week with forearm stiffness. We have 4 games at home against Boston but we will try to ride out the injury since the bullpen is fairly well rested. If we need to make a move during the series we will likely look at Tacoma lefty Jack Patterson.

The Red Sox come up next as we continue our Sox week.

Seattle Mariners 8-5 vs Boston Red Sox 5-8
4 game series April 9-12 Seattle T-Mobile Park
The Red Sox are coming off a disappointing 2019 season with an 84-78 record, but are figured to be in the running with Tampa at the top of the AL East. So far this season they are off to a less than impressive 5-8 start for new manager Ron Roenicke.

The Red Sox are loaded on the offensive side of the ball. With SS Xander Bogerts, 3B Rafael Devers, LF Andrew Benintendi and DH JD Martinez. The Sox have the 2nd best batting average at 287 in the AL and have scored 5.01 rpg good for 5th in the AL, but have the worst pitching staff in the league giving up 6.58 rpg. The bullpen and starting staff are both equally as guilty.

The Red Sox led the all-time series 246-183 including a 116-105 advantage in Seattle.

Pitching Match Ups
Kendall Graveman 1-1 2.84 vs Ryan Weber 0-1 5.94
Taijuan Walker 2-0 1.20 vs Collin McHugh 1-0 2.57
Marco Gonzalez 2-1 2.28 vs Eduardo Rodriguez 1-1 7.71
Steven Matz 2-0 2.50 vs Nathan Eovaldi 0-2 6.89

Game #14 Seattle Mariners 8-5 vs Boston Red Sox 5-8
Graveman, Seattle Prevail in Pitchers' Duel 1-0
The Seattle Mariners picked up a win at T-Mobile Park, taking down the Boston Red Sox, 1-0. Starting pitcher Kendall Graveman was a big reason why. The Red Sox, now 5-9, continue their inauspicious start.

Graveman allowed no runs on 4 hits over 8 innings for the Mariners. He walked 1 and struck out 4.

"We take it day by day here," said Graveman, "and today was a good one for us."

WP - Kendall Graveman 2-1 1.74 LP - Ryan Weber 0-2 3.57 S - Dan Altavilla 2 0.00
Home Runs: K. Seager (3, 4th Inning off R. Weber, 0 on, 0 outs)
Player of the Game - Kendall Graveman
A - 28,970 61.4%

Amazing start by Graveman 8 innings 4-hitter with only 1 walk

Game #15 Seattle Mariners 9-5 vs Boston Red Sox 5-9
Mariners Edge Past Red Sox, 5-4 in 12 innings
There was no shortage of dramatics at T-Mobile Park.

The Seattle Mariners faced a tough opponent in Boston pitcher Collin McHugh, but did just enough to pull out the victory at T-Mobile Park by a final score of 5-4. McHugh went 8 innings and allowed 1 run. Seattle reliever Zac Grotz picked up the win, upping his record to 1-1. Brandon Workman shouldered the loss.

The game came to an abrupt end with no one out in the bottom of the 12th. On a pitch from Brandon Workman, Jon Berti drew a walk, driving in 1 run. It gave Seattle the 5-4 win.

"Both teams played hard," said Seattle manager Scott Servais.

Boston drops to 5-10.

WP - Zac Grotz 1-1 6.75 LP - Brandon Workman 0-1 1.93
Home Runs: Bos J. Martinez (5, 9th Inning off B. Brennan, 1 on, 1 out) Sea Home Runs: A. Santander (1, 9th Inning off M. Barnes, 2 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game Collin McHugh
A - 35,429 75.1%

Crazy game where Boston led 1-0 from the first inning. Boston pads their led to 4-0 in the top of the 9th and things looked bleak for us. Somehow the M's came up with 4 in the bottom of the 9th and then won it in the 12th and the based loaded walk to Jon Berti.

Taijuan Walker had another great start going 7 innings and giving up 1 run. He continues to look great for us in the first month of the season.

Game #16 Seattle Mariners 10-5 vs Boston Red Sox 5-10
Victory Over Red Sox Takes Seattle to 11-5
In a low-scoring clash between Seattle and Boston, pitcher Marco Gonzales was a difference-maker. The left-hander earned accolades in the 2-1 win. In 6.2 innings, Gonzales surrendered 5 hits, while striking out 5 and walking 2. He allowed 1 run. Zac Grotz earned the save, his 1st.

Making an impact for the home team was Shed Long Jr.. In the bottom of the fifth, the 24-year old second baseman had a run-scoring sacrifice fly. That made the score 2-1, Mariners.

"The old adage is true," said Long Jr.. "Good pitching stops good hitting."

With their winning streak at 5, the Mariners have raced to a strong start this season.

WP - Marco Gonzalez 3-1 1.78 LP - Eduardo Rodriguez 1-2 6.17 S - Zac Grotz 1 4.50
Home Runs: T. Murphy (5, 2nd Inning off E. Rodriguez, 0 on, 0 outs)
Player of the Game - Marco Gonzalez
A - 34,790 73.8%

After the game we reward Zac Grotz by demoting him to Tacoma as we up LHRP Jack Patterson. The bullpen in the extra inning and close games has been a little taxed with Chen's absence, so we made move. After Sunday's game we will likely send Patterson back down and activate RP Carl Edwards Jr from his mystery injury "at home". I admit I did quietly shop Edwards around but decided not to over react since the team is off to such a great start.

Game #17 Seattle Mariners 11-5 vs Boston Red Sox 5-11
Red Sox Win, 8-2, at Seattle
The Boston Red Sox defeated the Seattle Mariners, 8-2. Doing his part was shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who was 1 for 3 with a home run and 2 walks, while scoring 2 times and driving in 3. Nathan Eovaldi picked up the win, improving his season record to 1-2. He struck out 6 in 6.2 innings. The victory makes Boston 6-11.

With Boston leading 2-0 in the top of the second, Bogaerts hit a changeup from Steven Matz for a 3-run home run. It was his 3rd home run of the season and put the Red Sox ahead, 5-0.

"We put a lot of pressure on ourselves," Bogaerts told a Boston Times reporter. "Sometimes we just need to relax."

The fun had to end eventually for the Mariners.

WP - Nathan Eovaldi 1-2 5.24 LP - Steven Matz 2-1 4.22
Boston Home Runs: X. Bogaerts (3, 2nd Inning off S. Matz, 2 on, 2 outs) C. Vazquez (3, 6th Inning off J. Cotton, 0 on, 1 out) Sea Home Runs: A. Santander (2, 9th Inning off H. Hembree, 0 on, 0 outs)
Player of the Game - Xander Bogarts
A - 33,403 70.9%

GM Comments - Wow 3 out of 4 against Boston, who while struggling is still the Boston Red Sox. A great 5-2 week that keeps us in 2nd place a half a game behind Oakland.

As promised after the game RHRP Carl Edwards was activated off the IL and Wei-Yin Chen was pronounced fit for duty. Patterson was optioned back to Tacoma.

We are currently ranking #5 in the latest baseball power rankings. Let's hope we rank that high in October.

We made a move to acquire another catcher on the 40-man roster since we only had 2. The Yankee's DFA C Kyle Higashioka who is out of options. Right now we are trying to decide what we want to do with him. We need another quality backup C on the 40-man roster, so we might option Austin Nola to Tacoma. Now Higashioka is not the multi-positional player as Nola is and Nola is also a good leader in the clubhouse. We might try and risk Higashioka back on waivers and then just assign him to Tacoma. It will be a decision that we make after I have time to talk with Manager Scott Servias.

DD Martin · 07-12-2020, 01:25 AM

[B]Minor League and Prospect Report

The Farm Report

To start the season, Baseball America has ranked the Mariner's farm system #9. The Mariner's have 4 top 100 prospects who are listed below.

RF/CF Jarred Kelenic age 20 Class AA - Arkansas Travelers (Mariners #1/Overall #14)
Came over last year from the Mets in the Diaz/Cano trade. In 2019 he hit 293 23-68 between Class A (mainly) and Class AA. He will open the season at AA Arkansas with an eye towards promotion by the end of July. At only 20 the team doesn't want to rush him too quickly through the system unless his performance demands it.

RF Julio Rodriguez age 19 Class A+ Modesto Nuts (Mariner's #2/#22 Overall)
Signed as an International FA July 2017 and split time between Class A and Class A+. Hitting 326 with 12 and 69 RBI's. He shows plus power and great range in the corner OF. ETA 2022 by Baseball America.

RHSP Logan Gilbert age 22 Class AA Arkansas Travelers (#3 Mariner's/#41 Overall)
Gilbert was 9-5 overall last season in 22 starts with a sparkling 2.28 ERA. Averaging over 10.3 K/9 inings and 2.1 BB/9. Gilbert has a 4-pitch mix with a plus fastball and changeup along with an above average curve and slider His ETA to Seattle by Baseball America is late 2020. (GM note I don't agree with that and believe he will be in Seattle sometime next season.)

1B Evan White L age 23 Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners#4/Overall #78)
First Round pick (#17) in the 2017 draft out of the University of Kentucky. Exceptional defensive first baseman that grades out as an average power hitter, but has great patience at the plate and could be a 300 hitter/370 OBP type player. He hit 293 with 18 HR"s and 55 RBI's at AA Arkansas.
Has a shot at getting a call up this season and likely to be 2021 opening day starting 1B.

RHSP George Kirby Age 22 Class A+ Modesto Nuts (#5 Mariners/#110) Kirby was drafted out of Elon University in the 2019 1st round (#20) and projects as a bottom of the rotation starter. He has a plus curve and slider with an above average sinker. His stuff is explosive but he is not thought of being a top end strikeout pitcher. ETA is 2022

SS Noelvi Marti age 18 R Class A West Virginia Power (#6 Mariners/#112 overall) Signed as an International Free Agent Draft July 2018. Spent 2019 at the Mariner's rookie team hitting 309 with 9-54. He profiles as a 270 average hitter with above average power for his position. He also shows some good base running instincts with plus speed. ETA 2022 but more likely 2023

LHSP Justus Sheffield age 23 Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers (#7 Mariners/#118 overall). His ETA is 2020 and he will likely be the first SP called up with an injury to a current SP. He did well at AA but then struggled in his mid-season call up to AAA Tacoma. He has a 3 pitch mix with his money pitch being an elite slider. His control is what he needs to work on to get a call up to Seattle. ETA 2020

RF Kyle Lewis age 24 Seattle Mariners (#8Mariner's/#137 overall) Drafted out of Mercer in the 1st round (#11) in 2016. Injuries derailed a couple of years in the minor leagues but he was called up to Seattle at the end of the 2019 season. With Mitch Haniger's injury he starts the season in the big leagues as the everyday RF.

RHSP Justin Dunn age 24 Class AA Arkansas Travelers (#9 Mariner's/#146)
Acquired in the trade with the Met's along with Kelenic in the Diaz/Cano swap. Throws a 3 pitch mix with great raw stuff and his bread and butter pitch being his slider. Command of his pitches will determined his fate. He projects to be a mid rotation starter, but we are also looking closely to see if his makeup is better suited to a late inning reliever. ETA 2021

C Cal Raleigh S age 23 Class AA Arkansas Travelers (#10 Mariner's/#156 overall)
Dead pull hitter and average defensive catcher drafted in the 3rd round 2018. He split his time between Class A Modesto and Class AA Arkansas in 2019 but really struggled with the bat at AA. He has the added plus of being a switch hitter with above average power. ETA 2021

GM Thoughts - There are a couple of guys in this group that will hopefully be helping us to get significant improvement on the 2021 team. Some might be on the team and some might be some trade parts to acquire the needed pieces to compete.

We have upped our farm system budget and will continue to try and implement the scouting principles that we had put in place the last few years. One of the organizations biggest flaws has been the lack of ability to develop our talent. We are going to try and address that issue and while I started in this role too late in the off-season to make many adjustments we are reviewing all our staffs to make sure that development improve.

Next up 2 with the defending World Series Champions, the Washington Nationals. Then off to Oakland for 4 games

DD Martin · 07-12-2020, 01:26 AM

[B]Minor League and Prospect Report

The Farm Report

To start the season, Baseball America has ranked the Mariner's farm system #9. The Mariner's have 4 top 100 prospects who are listed below.

RF/CF Jarred Kelenic age 20 Class AA - Arkansas Travelers (Mariners #1/Overall #14)
Came over last year from the Mets in the Diaz/Cano trade. In 2019 he hit 293 23-68 between Class A (mainly) and Class AA. He will open the season at AA Arkansas with an eye towards promotion by the end of July. At only 20 the team doesn't want to rush him too quickly through the system unless his performance demands it.

RF Julio Rodriguez age 19 Class A+ Modesto Nuts (Mariner's #2/#22 Overall)
Signed as an International FA July 2017 and split time between Class A and Class A+. Hitting 326 with 12 and 69 RBI's. He shows plus power and great range in the corner OF. ETA 2022 by Baseball America.

RHSP Logan Gilbert age 22 Class AA Arkansas Travelers (#3 Mariner's/#41 Overall)
Gilbert was 9-5 overall last season in 22 starts with a sparkling 2.28 ERA. Averaging over 10.3 K/9 inings and 2.1 BB/9. Gilbert has a 4-pitch mix with a plus fastball and changeup along with an above average curve and slider His ETA to Seattle by Baseball America is late 2020. (GM note I don't agree with that and believe he will be in Seattle sometime next season.)

1B Evan White L age 23 Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners#4/Overall #78)
First Round pick (#17) in the 2017 draft out of the University of Kentucky. Exceptional defensive first baseman that grades out as an average power hitter, but has great patience at the plate and could be a 300 hitter/370 OBP type player. He hit 293 with 18 HR"s and 55 RBI's at AA Arkansas.
Has a shot at getting a call up this season and likely to be 2021 opening day starting 1B.

RHSP George Kirby Age 22 Class A+ Modesto Nuts (#5 Mariners/#110) Kirby was drafted out of Elon University in the 2019 1st round (#20) and projects as a bottom of the rotation starter. He has a plus curve and slider with an above average sinker. His stuff is explosive but he is not thought of being a top end strikeout pitcher. ETA is 2022

SS Noelvi Marti age 18 R Class A West Virginia Power (#6 Mariners/#112 overall) Signed as an International Free Agent Draft July 2018. Spent 2019 at the Mariner's rookie team hitting 309 with 9-54. He profiles as a 270 average hitter with above average power for his position. He also shows some good base running instincts with plus speed. ETA 2022 but more likely 2023

LHSP Justus Sheffield age 23 Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers (#7 Mariners/#118 overall). His ETA is 2020 and he will likely be the first SP called up with an injury to a current SP. He did well at AA but then struggled in his mid-season call up to AAA Tacoma. He has a 3 pitch mix with his money pitch being an elite slider. His control is what he needs to work on to get a call up to Seattle. ETA 2020

RF Kyle Lewis age 24 Seattle Mariners (#8Mariner's/#137 overall) Drafted out of Mercer in the 1st round (#11) in 2016. Injuries derailed a couple of years in the minor leagues but he was called up to Seattle at the end of the 2019 season. With Mitch Haniger's injury he starts the season in the big leagues as the everyday RF.

RHSP Justin Dunn age 24 Class AA Arkansas Travelers (#9 Mariner's/#146)
Acquired in the trade with the Met's along with Kelenic in the Diaz/Cano swap. Throws a 3 pitch mix with great raw stuff and his bread and butter pitch being his slider. Command of his pitches will determined his fate. He projects to be a mid rotation starter, but we are also looking closely to see if his makeup is better suited to a late inning reliever. ETA 2021

C Cal Raleigh S age 23 Class AA Arkansas Travelers (#10 Mariner's/#156 overall)
Dead pull hitter and average defensive catcher drafted in the 3rd round 2018. He split his time between Class A Modesto and Class AA Arkansas in 2019 but really struggled with the bat at AA. He has the added plus of being a switch hitter with above average power. ETA 2021

GM Thoughts - There are a couple of guys in this group that will hopefully be helping us to get significant improvement on the 2021 team. Some might be on the team and some might be some trade parts to acquire the needed pieces to compete.

We have upped our farm system budget and will continue to try and implement the scouting principles that we had put in place the last few years. One of the organizations biggest flaws has been the lack of ability to develop our talent. We are going to try and address that issue and while I started in this role too late in the off-season to make many adjustments we are reviewing all our staffs to make sure that development improve.

Next up 2 with the defending World Series Champions, the Washington Nationals. Then off to Oakland for 4 games

DD Martin · 07-13-2020, 12:13 AM

Week #4 April 13th-19th

The Mariners open up a short 2-game inter league series with the defending World Series Champions the Washington Nationals. The Nats took the wildcard route on the way to their first World Championship. This season they are off to a 9-6 start and appear to be well prepared to defend their championship. They figure to again battle the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East Championship.

The Nationals currently are in 2nd in the NL East trailing the Phillies by ½ game. They boast the top batting average team in the NL hitting at a 266 clip and being 4th in runs scored. Pitching has been a mixed bag so far with the Starters compiling a 4.88 ERA (12th NL) and the bullpen showing a 3.75 ERA (NL 11th).

The Nationals are loaded with stars and led by perhaps the best 1-2 SP combo in baseball with Max Scherzer and Steven Strasburg. The Mariner’s will face Strasburg in game #2 of the series. On offense they have a very good young core in LF Juan Soto, SS Trea Turner and CF Victor Robles. These youngsters are likely to lead the Nationals for at least the next 5 years.

The Nationals led the all-time series 15-6 overall and also led in games played in Seattle by a 7-5 count.

Pitching Match Ups
Yusei Kikuchi 1-2 8.64 vs Anibal Sanchez 1-0 6.35
Kendall Graveman 2-1 1.74 vs Steven Strasburg 0-1 4.26

Before the series started in the morning on Monday the Mariners made a decision on C Kyle Higashioka. The M’s optioned Austin Nola to AAA Tacoma to make room for the power hitting backup C. The M’s do give up a bit of versatility in the move, but gain a large power bat off the bench.

Seattle Mariners 11-6 (2nd place AL West) vs Washington Nationals 9-6 (2nd place NL East)

Game #18 Seattle Mariners vs Washington Nationals
Nationals Win, 4-2, at Seattle
Washington Nationals starter Anibal Sanchez pitched a strong game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park, leading the Nationals to victory, 4-2. At 10-6, the Nationals have played well so far.

Kurt Suzuki aided the Washington cause with a run-scoring single in the top of the fourth. For the game, the catcher was 1-4.

Sanchez called the win "a lesson in teamwork."

WP - Annibal Sanchez 2-0 3.68 LP - Yusei Kikuchi 1-3 7.30
Home Runs: Washington -H. Kendrick (3, 8th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 0 on, 0 outs) Seattle - Home Runs: J. Lamb (4, 9th Inning off A. Sanchez, 0 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game - Annibal Sanchez
A - 31,064 65.9%

Game #19 Seattle Mariners 11-7 vs Washington Nationals 10-6
Soto Lifts Nationals to 8-1 Triumph
The Washington Nationals topped the Seattle Mariners, 8-1, with youngster Juan Soto playing a key role. Soto was 4 for 4 with a home run, 2 doubles, and a walk. He scored 4 runs and drove in 3 for the Nationals in the win. Stephen Strasburg was the winning pitcher. Over 6.1 innings, he allowed 1 run on 2 hits, with no walks and 6 strikeouts. Washington, now 11-6, has played well in the early going.

In the top of the first, with the game still scoreless, Soto hit a run-scoring double to put his team in the lead.

"If we play like this, we can win a lot of games," Soto told the Washington Observer.

WP - Steven Strasburg 1-1 3.55 LP - Kendall Graveman 2-2 3.16
Home Runs: J. Soto (2, 3rd Inning off K. Graveman, 0 on, 2 outs) A. Cabrera (5, 1st Inning off K. Graveman, 1 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game - Juan Soto
A - 31,267 66.3%

GM Thoughts – Well that is the difference between a World Series Champion and a team that is still trying to get to the upper level. Pitching was the huge difference as both Sanchez and Strasburg showed why the Nats have such a good pitching staff. Strasburg’s 3-hitter was masterful on Tuesday night. The losses drop us to 11-8 heading to Oakland a game and a half behind them in the West.

Kikuchi for the 2nd straight game hung around for 8 innings and again didn’t get the quality start giving up 4 runs, but did eat innings and gave the team a chance. Maybe this is what he is going to be and if that is the case we will have not much to show for the contract that was given him. So far in his MLB career in 36 starts he is 7-14 with a 5.70 ERA. He has been plagued by the long ball in MLB as he has given up 42 in 186 innings (given up 2.03 for every 9 innings) while in Japan he only allowed 73 in 1010.2 (.65 per 9 innings). I can’t imagine that there will be a big line (or any line) of buyers to acquire his services and his contract ($14.0 million this year and $15 million next year). His option for 2022 is not likely.

Going down to Oakland 12-6 for 4 games could be something that is like last season when the Mariners started out hot and then lost 6 straight to Houston and Cleveland.

On our off-day on Wednesday the team traveled to Oakland and I stayed in the office in Seattle. Tampa Bay GM Erik Neander called in regards to a trade. He was shopping power hitting/low average RF Hunter Renfro. His offer was to trade the 28-year-old Renfro to us for 19-year-old minor league SP Brayan Perez. Perez is the Mariner’s #11 rated prospect (#166 overall) with an ETA of 2023. While discussing Perez with my scouting department we honestly feel that he might be over-rated by Baseball America. The only reason why I’m even looking at this is that our young RF Kyle Lewis is struggling 179/230/469 0-9 at the plate. I am not closing the book on the deal yet and will keep the conversation going. I might see if the Rays would bite on a slightly lesser prospect.
Free Agent RP and former Mariner Carson Smith signed with the Yankees today for the season and a $1.74 million deal.

So far this season we are being carried by our pitching (shockingly). Our ERA on the season is 3.54 (2nd in the AL) and our SP ERA is 3.48 (3rd AL) and that is counting having Kikuchi and his near 8 ERA factored in. So far our pitchers have given up the fewest homers in the AL with 18. Unfortunately, our offensive side of the ball wasn’t as good. The teams batting average is only 237 (14th) and has a 300 OBP (13th) with slugging coming in at 383 (15th last). OBPS is only 683 which is also last in the AL. We have only hit 19 home runs (14th) but also have 18 stolen bases (1st in the AL).

An interesting veteran name has come up in RF Nick Markakis on the waiver wire. Not Markakis is not young at 36 but he could be a stop gap to let Kyle Lewis go back down to Tacoma and get a few more AAA at-bats until Haniger comes back. With the team competing so well it is tempting to go off-script a bit, but at this point I think we will hold off.

Seattle Mariners 11-8 @ Oakland A’s 12-6
The A’s are off to a 12-7 start and it really so far is of the diamond, but the pitching is flat out the best in the AL 2.91. The starting pitching so far is boast 3 SP with an ERA below 3 and #1 SP Sean Manaea is at 3.55. Jesus Luzardo is coming off some shoulder stiffness but should be ready for game 2 in the series.

The offense is #3 in the AL and led by the Matt Boys (1B Olsen and 3B Chapman). DH Khris Davis is also back mashing for the A’s after a bit of a down season last year.

The A's lead the all time series vs the Mariners by a count of 360-301. They hold a 196-137 advantage in Oakland

Pitching Match Ups
Taijuan Walker 2-0 1.23 vs AJ Puk 1-2 2.61
Marco Gonzales 3-1 1.78 vs Jesus Luzardo 1-2 6.75
Steven Matz 2-1 4.22 vs Sean Manaea 3-0 3.55
Yusei Kikuhi 1-3 7.30 vs Frankie Montas 2-0 2.08

Game #20 - Seattle Mariners 11=8 @ Oakland A's 12-6
Athletics Sneak By Mariners, 9-8
Oakland right fielder Stephen Piscotty picked up 3 ribbies while helping his team beat back the Seattle Mariners, 9-8. The Athletics, now 13-7, have been playing some good baseball.

Tony Kemp was the walk-off hero for Oakland. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Athletics second baseman hit a dramatic run-scoring single to send the teams home.

"It's great when the crowd is energized," Kemp said.

WP - Liam Hendricks 1-1 3.68 LP - Taylor Guilbeau 0-1 7.11
Home Runs: A. Santander (3, 9th Inning off L. Hendriks, 0 on, 0 outs) J. Berti (2, 1st Inning off A. Puk, 0 on, 0 outs) Oakland - Home Runs: R. Laureano (4, 8th Inning off B. Brennan, 0 on, 2 outs) S. Piscotty 2 (2, 3rd Inning off T. Walker, 0 on, 0 outs; 5th Inning off J. Cotton, 1 on, 2 outs)
Player of the Game - Stephen Piscotty
A - 24,253

Game #21 Seattle Mariners 11-9 @ Oakland A's 13-6
Athletics Top Mariners, 5-0, Behind Luzardo
Oakland starter Jesus Luzardo put a stranglehold on the Seattle offense. The left-hander had complete command of his changeup in leading the Athletics to a 5-0 win. Oakland is off to a hot start at 14-7.

Luzardo, now 2-2, scattered 2 hits over 6 innings for the Athletics.

"I had everything working," said Luzardo.

WP - Jesus Luzardo 2-2 5.01 LP - Marco Gonzalez 3-2 2.80
Home Runs: T. Kemp (4, 5th Inning off M. Gonzales, 0 on, 1 out) M. Olson (3, 3rd Inning off M. Gonzales, 1 on, 2 outs) S. Piscotty (3, 2nd Inning off M. Gonzales, 0 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game - Jesus Luzardo
A - 30,798

Mid-series Trade interlude
With RF Kyle Lewis continuing to struggle we decided to make a move. No we didn’t go claim RF Nick Markakis as we didn’t feel he fit into what we were trying to do long term. It’s a good thing we didn’t go in that direction as Markakis was claimed by the Washington Nationals who would have prevailed since they are in the NL.

Several weeks ago when Tampa approached us about minor leaguer Brayan Perez in a deal for Hunter Renfro, we decided to do some further work in reviewing our options. We looked at the teams that were potentially interested in Perez and came upon some names that might fit and help. So with that we had our scout review several players. One of the names we came across was Yankee minor leaguer (at the moment) OF Clint Fraizer. Our scout says that he has some power, won’t considered a superstar but could be a player for us. The Yankees gave us a list of guys who would get the deal done and after some review I called Cashman back and we finalized the deal.

Seattle Mariners Trade for Clint Fraizer
The Mariners and the Yankees got together to complete a deal involving New York sending OF Clint Frazier to the Mariners. Going to the Yankees in return is minor league P Raul Alcantara.

Game #22 Seattle Mariners 11-10 @ Oakland A's 14-6
Loss to Athletics Extends Seattle Losing Streak
The Oakland Athletics handed the Seattle Mariners a loss at Oakland Coliseum. The final score was 7-2. Chad Pinder was one of the major contributors for Oakland. In addition to his 1 single and 1 home run, he scored 2 runs and drove in 4. Sean Manaea picked up the win, improving his season record to 4-0. He struck out 5 in 8 innings. The Athletics raised their record to 15-7.

With Oakland leading 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Pinder came up to bat against Seattle pitcher Steven Matz. Pinder hit a changeup to left for a 3-run home run. His 2nd home run of the season put the Athletics on top, 7-0.

"We'll just keep our nose to the grindstone," Pinder told the Oakland Citizen.

WP - Sean Manaea 4-0 3.24 LP - Steven Matz 2-2 5.67
Home Runs: J. Lamb (5, 8th Inning off S. Manaea, 0 on, 2 outs) J. Berti (3, 7th Inning off S. Manaea, 0 on, 2 outs) Oakland - Home Runs: M. Chapman (4, 6th Inning off S. Matz, 0 on, 1 out) C. Pinder (2, 6th Inning off S. Matz, 2 on, 2 outs)
Player of the Game - Chad Pinder
A - 32,366

Game #23 - Seattle Mariners 11-11 @ Oakland A's 15-6
Mariners Trip Athletics, 6-5
The Oakland Athletics got a superb performance from second baseman Tony Kemp, but the Seattle Mariners still won the game, 6-5. Kemp was 1-3 with a home run and a walk. He drove in 4 runs and scored once. Yusei Kikuchi, the winner, goes to 2-3. He allowed 5 runs on 3 hits, with 5 walks and 5 strikeouts over 6.2 innings. Oakland falls to 15-8.

The result might have been different, had it not been for Shed Long Jr., the Seattle second baseman. Long Jr. had a run-scoring single in the top of the seventh inning to put the Mariners ahead, 6-1. For the game, Long Jr. had 1 double and 2 singles in 5 at-bats.

"It wasn't our best performance," said Long Jr., "but a win in this league is nothing to sniff at."

WP - Yusei Kikuchi 2-3 7.18 LP - Frankie Montas 2-1 3.16 S - Taylor Guilbeau 4 6.14
Home Runs: T. Kemp (5, 7th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 3 on, 2 outs) M. Semien (4, 4th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 0 on, 0 outs)
Player of the Game - Tony Kemp
A - 28,098

GM Comments - What a week! I hate to say that it looked obvious on paper, but that 6 game losing streak really took the wind out of our sails. Yes we rallied to win game 4 against the A's. Kikuchi tried to kick it away as Servais left him in too long. A grand slam in the 7th just about took us down but we hung on.

The trade for Frazier felt needed with Kyle Lewis struggling so mightily. This move isn't so much to shore up production in the OF but to get Kyle down to Tacoma to regain his confidence. Mitch Haniger by all indications will be back in 2 weeks and then go on a rehab assignment for hopefully no more than a week to get some at-bats. Once Haniger comes back, then we will have to make a decision, but speculation is that CF Braden Bishop would be sent down.

Next up - The Road Trip continues to Minnesota and Texas

DD Martin · 07-15-2020, 12:46 AM

Week 5 - Road Trip continues

Well that was a tough week but we are still above 500 at 12-11 and everyone is still healthy. I will do a month end review at the end of April but for now it is the week of April 20th-26th and we head to Minneapolis for 4 games against the Twins, who are off to a surprisingly slow start at 9-13. Then it is off to Arlington to face the Texas Rangers 9-13 in their new home ballpark. It will be interesting to see this new park and see how it plays compared to the previous stadium.

New around the league saw a couple of new players of the week announced. In the AL the honor went to Danny Santana of the Rangers. The 29-year-old switch-hitter hit 11-31 with 3 HR's and 11 RBI's as the Ranger's went 5-2 on the week. On the season Santana is hit 296 with 4-15 power numbers.

In the NL, Phillie superstar slugger Bryce Harper took the honors with a 414 batting average. Going 12-29, Harper hit 5 HR's and drove in 9 RBI's. On the season Harper is hitting 286 with 8 homers, 22 RBI's and 17 runs scored. The Phillies went 3-4 last week and are 13-10 on the season.

In a bit of sad news, the injury bug has hit another SP and a frequent visitor to the IL in the past. Young Dodger LHRP Julio Urias sustained damage to his elbow ligament and will be lost for the season. He will undergo surgery this week and will hopefully be ready for spring training next season. On the season this year, Urias started 3 games and hadn't registered a decision with his 3.14 ERA. The Dodgers are blistering the NL West with a 15-7 record and while his absense will hurt, the Dodgers have lots of reinforcements and will likely turn to Ross Striping or youngster Dustin May.

Phillie's left-hander Zach Wheeler threw the seasons first no-hitter on Saturday against the Miami Marlins. Wheeler gave up 2 walks and struck out 5 in the 7-0 victory. On the season Wheeler is 3-1 with a 2.59 ERA

Finally, Indians SS Francisco Lindor extended his hitting streak to 20 games on Sunday with 2 hits. On the season Lindor is hitting 365 and is 3rd in the AL batting race. The Indians currently have MLB's best record starting the season 18-5.

Seattle Mariners 12-11 tied for 2nd in AL West 3 games behind Oakland @ Minnesota Twins 9-13 3rd in the AL Central 8.5 games behind Cleveland.

Season Series 2-1 Mariners All-Time record 234-223 in favor of Seattle. Twins hold the advantage in Minnesota by a 121-107 count.

Pitching Matchups
Kendall Graveman 2-2 3.16 vs Jake Odorizzi 0-4 9.50
Taijuan Walker 2-0 2.81 vs Randy Dobnak 0-4 22.68
Marco Gonzales 3-2 2.80 vs Homer Bailey 1-2 3.16
Steven Matz 2-2 5.67 vs Juan Berrios 1-2 4.55

So what is ailing the Twins so far this season. Well looking at the ERA's of the SP in game 1 and 2 of this series will go a long way to explaining things. The starting rotation ERA for the Twins on the season is a ghastly 6.47 (14th in the AL), but the bullpen is middle of the road at 4.23 (8th). The Twins offense is right next to the Mariners in struggling to be consistent and putting up runs. The Twins rank 14th in runs scored at only 79. Nelson Cruz is the only starter that is having a standout start to the year hitting 301 with a whopping 11 home runs and 22 RBI's. The rest of the lineup is not hitting so well.

This 4-game set is a big early season series for both teams. Can the Mariner's take advantage of the early season woes and injuries for the Twins, or was what we saw last week the real Seattle Mariner's.

Game #24 - Seattle Mariners 12-11 vs Minnesota Twins 9-13
Mariners Lose to Twins, 7-2
The Minnesota Twins topped the Seattle Mariners, 7-2, in American League action at Target Field. The standout performance belonged to Minnesota pitcher and Breese, Illinois, native Jake Odorizzi. The loss drops the Mariners to 12-12.

In the bottom of the first, Nelson Cruz hit a 2-run home run. The 12th home run of the season for the Minnesota designated hitter put the Twins on top, 2-0.

"Feels good to get the job done," Cruz said after the game.

WP - Jake Odorizzi 1-4 6.93 LP - Kendall Graveman 2-3 3.94
Home Runs: B. Buxton (2, 7th Inning off K. Graveman, 0 on, 1 out) N. Cruz (12, 1st Inning off K. Graveman, 1 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game - Jake Ororizzi
A - 25,742

Uh-Oh Chongo (bonus pts if anyone knows what that reference is from

Game #25 - Seattle Mariners 12-12 @ Minnesota Twins 10-13
Mariners Upend Twins, 5-2
The Seattle Mariners grabbed a win, 5-2, over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Seattle catcher Tom Murphy went 2 for 3 with a home run and a walk, while adding 2 RBI and scoring once. Taijuan Walker got the win, improving to 3-0. He worked 6 innings, giving up 1 run on 8 hits, while striking out 4 and walking 2. The Twins fall to 10-14 and continue their uneven start to the 2020 season.

Seattle grabbed the momentum in the top of the fifth, when Murphy hit a 2-run home run. His 6th home run of the season put the Mariners out in front, 3-1.

"We put it together today and came out with the win," Murphy said in postgame remarks. "That's the main thing and it was a BIG WIN."

WP - Taijuan Walker 3-0 2.56 LP - Randy Dobnak 0-5 15.80 S - Taylor Guilbeau 5 5.40
Home Runs: T. Murphy (6, 5th Inning off R. Dobnak, 1 on, 0 outs)
Player of the Game - Tom Murphy
A - 18,770

CF Mallex Smith was injured running the bases and his diagnosis is pending.

Game #26 - Seattle Mariners 13-12 @ Minnesota Twins 10-14
Mariners Lose to Twins, 8-2
The home crowd had a good time watching the Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins get after it.

Minnesota Twins starter Homer Bailey turned in an exceptional performance against the Seattle Mariners at Target Field, resulting in a Minnesota win, 8-2. The Mariners drop to 13-13 and continue their mediocre start to the 2020 season.

Early in the game, designated hitter Nelson Cruz had a 2-run home run for Minnesota. It was his 13th home run of the season and put the Twins on top, 2-0.

"If you pitch well, you give yourself some opportunities," said Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli.

WP - Homer Bailey 2-2 3.03 LP - Marco Gonzales 3-3 3.38 S - Tyler Duffey 1 0.00
Home Runs: N. Cruz (13, 1st Inning off M. Gonzales, 1 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game - Homer Bailey
A - 22,384

Before the game it was announced that Mallex Smith would miss 6 weeks with a grade 2 sprained ankle. So we reach down to Tacoma to get OF Jake Fraley 298/370/838 at AAA Tacoma with 2 homers and 8 RBI's for the 6-8 Rainiers. He will platoon with Braden Bishop in CF as I want to see what Fraley can do but Servais likes Bishop. I won the discussion and Scott didn't seem too pleased.

Game #27 - Seattle Mariners 13-13 @ Minnesota Twins 11-14
Mariners Bridle Twins, 4-2
The Seattle Mariners got a strong performance from pitcher Steven Matz, who stymied the Minnesota offense en route to a win, 4-2, at Target Field. The Twins fall to 11-15 and continue their lackluster start in 2020.

The Mariners got a lift from second baseman Shed Long Jr. who had a run-scoring double in the top of the third inning off Jose Berrios. It was his 7th double of the season and put Seattle in front, 1-0.

"We did enough to win," said Matz. With the win the Mariner's climb back up to 1 game over 500 at 14-13. The M's have not had a below 500 record yet this season.

WP - Steven Matz 3-2 4.86 LP - Juan Berrios 1-3 4..42 S - Taylor Guilbeau 6 5.79
Home Runs: J. Polanco (1, 9th Inning off T. Guilbeau, 0 on, 0 outs)
Player of the Game - Steven Matz
A - 27,817

GM Comments - So we make Jake Odrizzi look like an all-star getting his first win and then win game #2 of the series against Dodnak who in the loss lowered his ERA by almost 8 full runs.

I wish I knew why Jerry Dipoto decided not to re-sign Nelson Cruz. He continues to bash even at the ripe old age of 39 hitting 2 more homer and adding 5 RBI's in the series. His 295 13-27 would look awfully nice in our lineup.

Jekyll and Hyde SP Steven Matz had a good outing this time in picking up his 3rd win of the season. I am starting to understand why some Met's fans would be slowly driven crazy but this guy. He has really good stuff, but is a 50/50 pitcher on whether he brings it or not.

On the injury front 3B Kyle Seager has a strained groin and is day-day for 3-4 weeks. The trainer says it should only effect him minimally so we will keep him in the lineup, but I'm pretty sure this will end with a trip to the IL.

Trade - After the game the Twins made a trade shipping minor league C Willians Astudillo (28) to Tampa Bay for a couple of players. LHP colin Poche (26) and minor league 1B Nate Lowe come to Minnesota. I understand the move for the Twins who need some stable pitching and Poche has some value in the bullpen. I am not sure I understand the move from the Rays side of things but oh well that's baseball.

We will move onto Arlington Texas where the 10-14 Rangers await our arrival.

Seattle Mariners 14-13 3rd place AL West 2.5 GB @ Texas Rangers 10-14 5th Place AL West 5.5 GB

Season Series 3-1 Mariners
All-Time Series 344-334 Rangers

So what's going on with the Rangers? Well they are scoring runs at a pretty good clip (4th in the AL) but aren't scoring them for staff ace Cory Kluber who is 1-3 1.93 ERA. Top 4 in their order though is struggling to start the season as SS Elvis Andrus 209, DH Shin-Soo Choo 178, LF Willie Calhoun 239 and cleanup hitter RF Joey Gallo 177. That group has hit 12 homers and driven in 46 though.

Besides Kluber on the hill, the Rangers have veteran Lance Lynn 1-2 5.21, lefty Mike Minor 2-1 2.76, Jordan Lyles 2-1 4.33 and struggling right-hander Kyle Gibson 1-3 8.18. Don't worry Kyle I'm sure we can help you with your ERA.

The Rangers have no key injuries to any main line players.

Pitching Match Ups
Yusei Kikuchi 2-3 7.18 vs Cory Kluber 1-3 1.93
Kendall Graveman 2-3 3.94 vs Mike Minor 2-1 2.76
Taijuan Walker 3-0 2.56 vs Lance Lynn 1-2 5.21

Game #28 Seattle Mariners 14-13 @ Texas Rangers 10-14
Mariners Stumble, Lose to Rangers 8-4
Texas right fielder Joey Gallo was a significant contributor in his team's 8-4 triumph over the Seattle Mariners. He went 2-4 with 2 home runs. He drove in 3 runs and scored twice for Texas. The loss makes Seattle 14-14.

Nick Solak delivered for Texas in the bottom of the second. His 2-run home run off Seattle pitcher Yusei Kikuchi put Texas in front, 2-1.

"We took advantage of our opportunities," Solak told the Texas Today. "It's as simple as that."

WP - Cory Kluber 2-3 2.31 LP - Yusei Kikuchi 2-4 8.47
Home Runs: B. Bishop (2, 5th Inning off C. Kluber, 0 on, 0 outs) Texas - Home Runs: J. Gallo 2 (7, 3rd Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 1 on, 2 outs; 7th Inning off Y. Hirano, 0 on, 1 out) N. Solak (3, 2nd Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 1 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game - Joey Gallo
A - 28,572

After the game I called up Scott as I was just furious with the performance of Kukichi (again). He bested his usual 2 homers per 9 as he gave up 2 in just 2 2/3 innings. Something has got to give with this guy and I will discuss with my team up here over the next 24 hours.

I was also informed from Team Trainer Torgerson that RP Jharel Cotton has a biceps strain (moderate) so we put him on the IL even though our trainer said he could pitch through it. We recall LHP Jack Patterson to join the club from Tacoma.

Game #29 - Seattle Mariners 14-14 @ Texas Rangers 11-14
Rangers Best Mariners in Pitching Duel 2-1
Texas pitcher Lance Lynn did his part in helping his team beat the Seattle Mariners, 2-1. The right-hander kept opposing batters in check throughout the game. Joe Barlow earned the save for Texas, his 1st of the year. The loss has the Mariners at 14-15.

The Texas win was a team effort. It included major contributions from, among others, Joey Gallo. In the bottom of the seventh, the Texas right fielder came to bat and hit a 2-run home run. It staked his team to a 2-1 lead.

"We were in it," said Seattle manager Scott Servais. "We just didn't score enough runs."

WP - Lance Lynn 2-2 4.14 LP - Kendall Graveman 2-4 3.60 S - Joe Barlow 1 3.86
Home Runs: J. Gallo (8, 7th Inning off K. Graveman, 1 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game - Lance Lynn (I'd have given it to Gallo honestly)
A - 31,674

Game #30 - Seattle Mariners 14-15 @ Texas Rangers 12-14
Choo Homers Twice in 15-7 Rangers Win
The home crowd had a good time watching the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers get after it.

The Texas Rangers beat the Seattle Mariners by a score of 15-7. designated hitter Shin-Soo Choo deserved the lion's share of the credit. Choo slugged 2 home runs. He scored 4 runs and drove in 3 for the Rangers. The win has Texas at 13-14.

Todd Frazier, who is tied for 8th in the AL with a .404 on-base percentage, aided the Texas cause with a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third. For the game, the third baseman was 2 for 4 with a double. He scored 2 times and drove in 3.

Choo told a Texas Today reporter that he was "satisfied" with the win.

WP - Cody Allen 1-0 8.31 LP - Wei-Yin Chen 0-1 4.76
Home Runs: D. Vogelbach (3, 1st Inning off M. Minor, 2 on, 1 out) Texas - Home Runs: J. Gallo (9, 4th Inning off W. Chen, 2 on, 0 outs) S. Choo 2 (5, 1st Inning off T. Walker, 0 on, 1 out; 8th Inning off Y. Ramirez, 1 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game - Shin-Soo Choo
A - 29,311

Comments - What is there to say. We are playing like the team everyone thought we would be. We even made our former Mariner Shin-Soo Chin look good in that last game and he has struggled over the last several years.

Taijuan Walker had his first clunker of a game in that last one but he didn't get the loss.

We've gone below 500 now on the season by getting swept by the Rangers. We are sitting in a virtual tie for last in the AL West with the Astros(?).

So many holes on this team, and we will really have to make some big moves in the off-season if we want to get this train on the right track. Right now I'm figuring out what to do with Kikuchi and thankfully we have an off-day on Monday. The pitching staff needs the rest.

Oh and 1 more think, JP Crawford exited the game with a broken thumb while sliding into 2nd base on a ground out. He will be out for 6 weeks. Crawford was hitting a lack-luster 208/290/540 0-4. He was doing a real solid job defensively though without committing an error in 29 games played.

Next - A return to home to face an improved Angels team

DD Martin · 07-15-2020, 09:41 PM

End of April Starts a New Home Stand

With the end of the month looming we have 3 games before the end of the month and 6 total for the week. The LA Angels (still hard for me to call them that after all these years) are 15-13 and in 2nd place in the AL West. Then comes 4 games Thursday-Sunday against the defending AL Champions, the Houston Astros who are hanging with us in the basement at 13-15.

Moves - We put SS JP Crawford on the IL and look to Tacoma for someone to help. We could bring back utility man Dylan Moore, who is a super utility sort of guys but doesn't hit much. Or option B bring up off season minor league signee Zack Cozart who while 34, plays better defense and has a better bat. We opted for option B. I signed Cozart because he was available in the off-season and we really have a glaring, some would call it alarming lack of middle infield talent especially at SS. His minor league contract now reverts to $1 million salary but we have the room and he is also insurance at 3B with Seager nursing that strained groin.

AL Player of the Week - Boston DH JD Martinez who hit 484 (15 for 31) with 3 homers and 13 RBI's. Can't really complain about that choice. Martinez's week helped push his early season numbers up to 287 with 9 homers and 26 RBI's. Boston went 4-3 on the week but on the season is a disastrous (for Boston) 13-17 and limping along in 4th in the AL East.

NL Player of the Week - Nationals barely over the drinking age Juan Soto won the NL Honors. Hitting 429 (12 for 28) with 2 homers and 8 RBI's leading Washington to a 5-1 week. The Nationals are 18-9 and led the NL East.

With our 3-10 record the last 2 weeks we have fallen from #6 in the power rankings down to #21.

On Monday this week, looking for some infield depth we swung a very minor trade with the Blue Jays.

Trade - Mariners and Blue Jays pull off a minor league deal
The Toronto Blue Jays trade minor leaguers SS Ruben Tejada (30), 3B Andy Burns (29) and 2B Santiago Espinal (25) to the Seattle Mariners for minor league RP Wyatt Mills (25) and C/1B David Sheaffer (24).

What we got was minor league depth specifically at AAA as all 3 players went to Tacoma. What we gave up was not much in the grand scheme although Wyatt Mills isn't a bad pitcher. He was at AA Arkansas and wasn't really on our radar despite solid numbers there this season. Sheaffer was a throw in to net Tejada as more backup depth.

More injury news and I was expecting this for another player, but it appears RP Austin Adams was recovering ahead of schedule his torn ACL, but he suffered a setback in rehab and will now be out another 8 weeks. At least it wasn't Haniger.

LA Angels of Anaheim (15-13 2nd in AL West 2.5 GB) vs Seattle Mariners (14-16 4th AL West 4.5 GB)

The Angels are 15-13 so far on the season and are in 2nd place in the AL West behind the Oakland A's by 3 games. They are led by the best player in baseball, CF Mike Trout who is hitting 311 on the season with 9 homers and 26 RBI's. Also good news for the Angels is the pitching return of 2-way player Shohei Ohtani. On the mound Ohtani is 3-2 in 7 starts with a sterling 2.13 ERA proving that not all Japanese SP are as bad as Kikuchi. With the bat he's hitting a respectable 262 with 2 homers and 7 RBI's. Also hitting well for the Angels is rookie 1B Jared Walsh who is hitting 324 with 6-16 power numbers.

Besides Ohtani on the mound, SP Andrew Heaney is doing well and makes a solid 1-2 combo with Ohtani. Heaney has a 3.03 ERA to go with a 2-1 record in 6 starts.

On the IL for the Angels is superstar 3B Anthony Rendon who signed in the off-season with an early season oblique strain. Also of note is future HOF Albert Pujols who is with a strained hamstring.

All-time Record has the Angels with a strong 364-303 lead overall and also leading in Seattle 177-158

Pitching Match Ups for this 2-game series
Marco Gonzales 3-3 3.38 vs Andrew Heaney 2-1 3.03
Steven Matz 3-2 4.86 vs Dylan Bundy 3-2 5.64

Game #31 - Seattle Mariners (14-16) vs LA Angels (15-13)
Mariners Win 1-0 Walk-Off in 12th
Seattle Mariners starter Marco Gonzales turned in an exceptional performance against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park, resulting in a Seattle win, 1-0. Dan Altavilla, now 1-0, was credited with the win. He allowed no runs on 1 hit, while striking out 2 and walking 1. The win has Seattle at 15-16.

Seattle won the game in the bottom of the 12th inning. With one out and Hansel Robles on the mound for Los Angeles, right fielder Anthony Santander hit a dramatic solo home run, bringing Mariners fans to their feet.

"We came out on the wrong end of this one," said Los Angeles skipper Joe Maddon.

WP - Dan Altavilla 1-0 0.87 LP - Hansel Robles 0-3 8.68
Home Runs: A. Santander (4, 12th Inning off H. Robles, 0 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game - Marco Gonzales 8 innings 3 hits 4 walks 3 k's 0 runs
A - 30,893 65.6%

Game #32 - Seattle Mariners 15-16 vs LA Angels 15-14
Angels Prevail, 2-0, Over Seattle and split short 2-game series
The Los Angeles Angels got a magnificent effort from pitcher Patrick Sandoval, who kept Seattle hitters in check en route to a 2-0 Angels win at T-Mobile Park. Hansel Robles closed it out for his 2nd save. Seattle falls to 15-17.

In the top of the sixth, Los Angeles designated hitter Justin Upton took Seattle pitcher Steven Matz deep. His solo home run made the score 1-0, Angels. For the game, Upton hit 2 home runs.

"I had everything working," said Sandoval.

WP - Patrick Sandoval 2-2 4.83 LP - Steven Matz 3-3 4.28 S - Hansel Robles 2 7.36
Home Runs: J. Upton 2 (8, 6th Inning off S. Matz, 0 on, 1 out; 8th Inning off D. Altavilla, 0 on, 1 out)
Player of the Game - Patrick Sandoval (I would have choose Upton with his 2 solo homers)
A - 31,036 65.9%

GM Thoughts - Angels changed it up on us in that 2nd game starting an opener in Jacob Barnes before winning pitcher Patrick Sandoval come on in the 2nd. Another great pitchers duel but we only scored 1 run in 21 innings in this series and only had a total of 9 hits. Just no offense to speak of at all.

Mitch Haniger is off the IL and despite the desperate need for offense in Seattle we have sent him to Tacoma to get some swings in down there first. Going back down to Oakland and then Houston next week might only give him the 4 games this weekend to get ready. We will see how he does.

With the injuries mounting up, but not a lot to pick from we signed a bunch of young guys to fill in on the lower minors rosters. You never know we might get lucky. We signed a catcher, 2 middle infielders and 2 outfielders as well. All minor league deals with just the promise of "opportunity". The top minor league target is now being offered a $5000 bonus to sign as Detroit has gotten involved with him (CF Frankie Jezioro).

Houston is coming to town for a 4 game series, the first before the end of the month.

Seattle Mariners 15-17 4th in AL West vs Houston Astros 13-17 5th in the AL West

The Astros have lost 4 straight and 7 of their last 8 to fall to the bottom of the AL West. Not a spot the Astro's have seen much since the early part of the 2010's with the infamous tanking and stockpiling of top draft picks strategy. It worked as they have been to several World Series and won one.

The Astros are led by a veteran pitching staff with Justin Verlander and Zack Grienke leading the way along with Lance McCullers Jr. Verlander missed most of spring training and then in his last outing he only last an 1.1 innings before coming out. Right now his diagnosis is pending so it is unsure if he will pitch in this series. Grienke (3-2) while not injured hasn't been particularly sharp this season with an ERA near 6. Seldon heard of SP Jose Urquidy has been the best starter so far this season with a 1-1 record and 3.82 ERA

The offense is led by CF George Springer (298 5-18) and rookie 1B Yordan Alvarez (272 5-20)

Besides the injury issues with Verlander, the Astros are missing SP Rogelio Armentreos and Brad Peacock. SP Francis Martes is on the restricted list for the season.

All-time Series - Astros lead the series 88-54 and the Astros have owned the Mariners at T-Mobile (formerly Safeco Field) Park 46-22

Pitching Match Up for game 1 of the series
Yusei Kikuchi 2-4 8.47 vs Zack Grienke 3-2 5.86

Game #33 - Seattle Mariners 15-17 vs Houston Astros 13-17
Astros Upend Mariners, 6-2
The Houston Astros picked up a win at T-Mobile Park, knocking off the Seattle Mariners, 6-2. Starting pitcher Zack Greinke was a big reason why. Seattle drops to 15-18.

Houston relied on the hitting of George Springer to pick up the win. The center fielder clubbed a 2-run home run in the top of the third inning to put the Astros on top, 3-0. For the game, Springer had 1 home run and 1 single in 5 at-bats.

"We'll kick back tonight, then get set for the next one," Springer said.

WP - Zack Grienke 4-2 5.23 LP - Yusei Kikuchi 2-5 9.08
Home Runs: G. Springer (6, 3rd Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 1 on, 1 out).
Player of the Game - Zack Grienke
A - 33,361 70.8%

End of month GM Thoughts - Season record 15-18 and tied for last, not a huge surprise other than the team we are tied with (Astro's). I went against my better judgement and gave Kikuchi another start, that was a huge mistake. I'll try to trade him but nobody will want that contract without giving one up of equal or worse value. He will likely end up in Tacoma. We will give SP Justus Shefield the first shot at replacing him.

DD Martin · 07-16-2020, 04:01 AM

End of April 2020 Numbers and Statistics

3B Kyle Seager has been hobbled a bit with the bat since he strained his groin. It hasn't effected his defense though. He has 2 weeks left with this groin issue and we are debating sitting him down or letting him play through it.

2B Shed Long Jr has had a solid start to the season with the 297 average and 363 OBP. Manager Servais has had him hitting 3rd against right handers and 2nd against lefty. With his bat control and patience I prefer him in the #2 slot.

LF/RF Anthony Santander has hit a steady 282 with 4 homers and 14 RBI's. I am happy with his early season play so far

Really hard to pick a Hitter of the Month for April as only Mallex Smith (injured) and reserve Dee Gordon are hitting over 300. C Tom Murphy leads the team with 6 homers, 1B Jake Lamb has 5 homers and a team high 20 RBI's. But I'm going to go with 2B Shed Long Jr. and his 297/363/786 with 1 homer, 12 RBI's and a team leading 17 runs scored. Also has swiped 3 bags so far too.

On the pitching side of the diamond the season started out hot but cooled a bit at the end of the month.

SP Marco Gonzales is 3-3 2.81 ERA in 7 starts and has pitched well and has 5 quality starts. His WHIP is below 1.00 at 0.96 and he has only walked 7 while striking out 34 in 48 innings.

SP Taijuan Walker has pitched better than expected with a 3-0 record and a 3.67 ERA in 6 starts with 4 being quality starts. A real surprise who hopefully will sustain his form as the season winds along. Early candidate for Comeback Player of the Year.

SP Kendall Graveman has been another solid low cost pickup who has surprised. His record is only 2-4, but he has a solid 3.60 ERA and has also tossed 4 quality starts in his 6 starts.

CL Taylor Guilbeau has been a bit of an adventure but seems to have settle down a bit lately. He's 0-1 with 6 saves and a higher than desired 5.06 ERA for a closer. He has saved 6 out of 7 games.

Mariner Pitcher of the Month - Goes to Marco Gonzales. He has really stood strong in the top spot in the rotation.

For the American League Awards
Hitter of the Month honors go to Cleveland Indians 3B Jose Ramirez who batted 378 with 6 home runs and 21 RBI's with 25 runs scored. Cleveland has sprinted out to a blistering 24-9 record and has a 9 game lead in the AL Central.

Pitcher of the Month goes to Boston Red Sox veteran SP Nathan Eovaldi. Sort of a surprise winner as the Red Sox struggled to a 15-18 record. Eovaldi went 4-2 for April with a 1.67 ERA and struck out 44 in 43 innings and just didn't receive great run support in this 2 losses.

Rookie of the Month goes to the Oakland A's 22-year-old SP Jesus Luzardo who went 4-1 in is 5 starts striking out 31 and compiling a 2.45 ERA. The A's lead the AL West with a 20-13 record.

Over in the National League for Month Award Winners

Hitter of the Month goes to LA Dodger 1B/CF Cody Bellinger. Bellinger hit 367 with 10 home runs and 27 RBI's along with 26 runs scored. The Dodgers currently are 18-12 and 2nd in the NL West trailing the red hot Arizona Diamond Backs.

Pitcher of the Month goes to New York Mets Ace Jacob DeGrom who was 3-0 in his 6 starts with a Bob Gibsonesque 0.43 ERA. With that sort of ERA it is hard to believe he didn't get 5 or 6 wins. The Mets are off to a good 19-12 start but are currently 3rd in the rugged NL East behind Atlanta and Washington.

Rookie of the Month goes to San Francisco Giants RP Logan Webb who went 2-0 with 1 save and a 0.00 ERA in 9.1 innings. Despite Webb's efforts the Giants are in the NL West cellar at 11-20 on the season.

DD Martin · 07-23-2020, 11:43 PM

The Mariner's were off to an okay start, but I left town and the OOTP Mariners game is not on my laptop. So this dynasty will go on hiatus until Labor Day when I return home.

cardinalfan3000 · 07-23-2020, 11:44 PM

F

DD Martin · 07-24-2020, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardinalfan3000

F

Guess that is my grade for this dynasty

07-02-2020, 06:03 PM	#1
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	Seattle Mariners - Ending the Drought When I got up this morning I did expect what was going to happen would happen. My job in the Mariner front office was fairly recent as I had been hired as the Pro Player Development Director. The what you might ask? Well doesn't matter that title soon will not be mine for long. As I was arrived in the spring training complex there was a certain buzz going around. Not one of those happy type things but one of shock. As I settled into my office at the complex, I talked to one of our scouts and he told me what was going on. It appears that our GM "Trader" Jerry DiPoto had just stepped down from the role as GM do to continuing health reasons. This was a complete surprise since we were just mere weeks away from Opening Day. News around the office was that Owner John Stanton was on his way down to Peoria to talk to the staff and come up with a plan to at least name an interim GM to keep the team focused on preparing for the opening of the 2020 season. Later that afternoon, I was in a meeting with our Scouting Director Scott Hunter when I was asked to step out and come to the conference room. I excused myself and left not sure what was going on. As I stepped into the conference room there was the team owner. I had only met Mr. Stanton once right before I was hired. It was more of a formality but we spent about an hour talking player development and scouting. I thought I had made a good impression on him, but Jerry was the guy that hired me. Maybe I was going to be out since Jerry stepped down? As I walked in Mr. Stanton gave me a look, greeted me and asked me to sit down. Then he asked the others in the room to leave. A lot of whispers among the folks leaving the room. (Mr. Stanton was known as a fairly charitable type, that didn't meddle as much as a Steinbrenner would but more involved than the A's John Fisher. While he was charitable he had grown increasing impatient with the Mariner's lack of progress and had been pressuring the team's front office to make something happen. He had bought into the whole rebuild scenario but had seen the fans interest in Seattle diminish at the team continued to struggle.) Stanton - I'll get right down to it Martin. Jerry has resigned as you have probably heard by now as the GM. We are only weeks away from the opening of the season and I need to get this ship steadied. I need someone with some youth and energy to get this franchise to get back to the late 90's and early 2000's team that capture the fans hearts. Winning Martin is what it takes to do that. Now as I look at your file, we signed you to a 3-year commitment in your current role. No matter what happens, I will honor that commitment. DD Martin - Why thank you sir, I appreciate that. Stanton - We will hold a press conference this evening announcing Jerry's official departure and your appointment as the interim GM of the team for the upcoming season. DD Martin - (falling out of his chair) My what sir? Stanton - Are you ok Martin? I need you to be on top of it son. This is a Billion and a half dollar enterprise and I am asking you to take over immediately as the GM. You will report directly to me as I will increase my involvement in the team. DD Martin - (sitting back up in my chair) - Sir, I....I don't know what to say. Stanton - Then I will say it for you (as he looks out onto the Peoria Field where the M's are playing the Royals in a spring game losing 7-3). After the game we will meet with Scott Servais and get everything set in motion. I need this front office and field management to pull together and get this team competitive sooner rather than later. DD Martin - But sir, none of the experts feel that we will be a factor this year. They say we are years away from being in the playoffs. Stanton - I realize that there is a lot of work to do. Jerry started this rebuild and well, I reluctantly bought in. Maybe that was a mistake, we shall see. I don't expect miracles Martin, but I want results that are promising for the not too distant future. We will get into this before we head up north for the season. But I want you to understand that you are now in control of this team. You make the deals, you sign the players and you organize the whole system. You got that Martin? DD Martin - Yes Mr. Stanton Stanton - And Martin, if we are going to work together you need to start calling me John. Now get to work on building me and the city of Seattle a winner! DD Martin - You got it, Mr.....err John And thus begins the GM career of DD Martin. Taking over a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2001.

07-02-2020, 06:28 PM	#2
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	After the game I met with the team Manager Scott Servais and with the team Owner John Stanton. The team was struggling this spring with 2-8 record and didn't improve on that situation with today's loss at home in Peoria. Mr. Stanton laid out what he wanted to see the rest of the spring and wanted me and Servais to get together and see if there were ways to improve the team. While he understood that there would not be a playoff spot coming this season, he didn't want to see that streak continue to be 20 seasons next year. Scott Servais and I got to know each other a bit better after the meeting with Mr. Stanton. This would be Scott 5th season as manager of the team and he had a 322-326 record during the first 4 seasons. Last year the team went 68-94 during what Jerry DiPoto termed a "Re-imaging" had started. Scott was very personable and seemed kind, maybe too much so. He had signed an extension during the last season so he had at least financial security with 4 years remaining. We talked about the strengths and weaknesses of the team. The strengths weren't many as our best hitter (Mitch Haniger) was on the IL following back surgery. Not exactly a promising sort of surgery after having spent a great portion of last season on the IL with groin and various other assorted injuries. He had a breakout season in 2018 hitting 285/366/859 with 26 homers and 93 RBI's. Last seasons injury plagued campaign he totaled just 63 games around 240 AB's. His salary was still modest at $3 million and we had 3 years left of team control. Dan Vogelbach as the 1B/DH who was probably best suited to DH but that isn't our biggest problem if he is in the field. Vogelbach has tremendous raw power and blasted 30 home runs last year in his full time season. 3B Kyle Seager had signed a large contract prior to the 2015 season and had been up and down with production with his bat. Now at 32 he had 3 years remaining on his deal at $19 million for 20, $18 million for 21 and a $15 million option for 2022. Last season he hit 239/321/789 with 23 homers and 63 RBI's. We needed a serious bounce back season for him. On the pitching side of things we had well, Marco Gonzales 28. Marco was a LHSP that came over from St. Louis in a trade and surprisingly blossomed in Seattle. He has gone 29-22 with a 3.99 ERA the last two seasons and is unquestionable the team "ace". Now Marco is a good guy, but truth be told he is not a #1 starting pitcher on a playoff contending MLB team. He would be a great middle rotation guy, but being a #1 is definitely not his strength. Marco signed a fairly team friendly type of contract covering 5 years guaranteed for $31 million and a team option for 2025 at $15 million. The first 3 years of the deal will pay him $1.5, $5.5, $5.5 and $6.5 million respectably before it moves up to $12 million in the final guaranteed year. Depending on where we are, he might be someone that gets traded with a controllable deal like that, unless of course he really shines and can be a part of our building a playoff contender. The rest of the pitching staff will be interesting to say the least. A lot of jobs will be battling for spots as we approach the season.

07-02-2020, 08:40 PM	#3
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	Well we are 1 week before the start of the regular season. The team has played a little better ball as we stand at 10-14 in our Cactus League games. On the roster front the 26-man roster (boy that is hard to get used too) seems to be coming together. We have a made a few moves this spring and they are listed below. Seattle makes a minor traded with the Miami Marlins. The Mariners receive 2B/U player Jon Berti (30) in exchange for RF Ty Adcock (23) The first deal we made was for utility player Jon Berti (30) from the Miami Marlins. Berti adds a player that can play 2B along with a slew of others in both the IF and OF. To acquire Berti we traded minor league RF Ty Adcock (23) who was draft in the 8th round last year from Elon University. Seattle trades LHSP Nick Margevicius to the New York Mets for 3 players. RHSP Steven Matz (28), and minor leaguers RHSP Franklyn Kilome (24) and RHRP Walker Lockett (25). The 2nd deal we made was one I really liked. It was for a SP that could fit towards the top of our rotation but unfortunately probably wouldn't replace Marco Gonzalez as the team "ace". It was a fairly low risk move as the P was only signed to a deal for this season and was at $5 million which we had the space for, but we did get the team to pay 15% of his salary ($750,000). Who are we talking about, well it was SP Steven Matz formerly of the New York Mets. Met's GM Brodie Van Wagenen phoned me when we were shopping a player around (RP Nestor Cortez) and we were working on a deal for a few days involving Cortez and another Met. During the conversations Van Wagenen kept trying to unload some payroll to see if I would bite. Well when he got to Steven Matz, I decided to listen. In the end we got Matz at $4.25 million for this year along with a couple of minor league guys in RHRP Walker Lockett (25) and RHSP Franklyn Kilome (24). What we sent was a player we had picked up from the Padres in SP Nick Margevicius (23). Why was Margevicius expendable? Well he had a bit of a polarizing personality that rubbed me and some players the wrong way. We continued to look for available SP and found 1 more deal that we liked. The Seattle Mariners trade for Arizona's RHSP Jon Duplantier (25). Arizona receives LHRP Nestor Cortes (25) and minor league SS Donovan "Donnie" Walton (25) So we did trade away one of the few LHRP we had in camp in Nestor Cortes as his name came up in several deals. Again Cortes had a bit of an attitude problem, and with this young and growing team that just didn't fit. Duplantier is a big kid with some upside that pitched between Reno (AAA) and the big league team in Arizona. He will start the year in Tacoma for us, but he has a strong shot at being the first SP called up in case of injury or trade. On the free agent front we mainly looked at some young kids that have some ability, but are not near the big leagues. But we did sign free agent SP Chris Ellis to a minor league deal with a 30-day clause. If he is called up he will earn $700,000 for the 2020 season and if he isn't, he can elect free agency by the end of April. With that we are a week away from our opening series of the year against the Texas Rangers.

07-03-2020, 10:53 PM	#4
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	In my continued review of the talent in the organization and also doing radio interviews, podcasts and other print media interviews, I can see what the general feeling is about the team. Based on the numbers from our sales and marketing department, public sentiment is lower than the approval rating of the president. Based on our studies and a fan rating system used throughout the league, our number comes in at 46. Our season tickets sales last year were 8,768 and we are projected to hit 8800. One of the worst things a pro sports franchise can do is create fan apathy and that's what the Mariners have right now. Knowing in my mind that I need to drum up some serious interest in the fan base I begin looking for unsigned players that might be able to help but also have some level of (positive) fan recognition. The pickings are slim to be sure. But before I get to that its time for another meeting with team owner John Stanton who is also talking about the fan apathy he is seeing in Seattle and even here in Peoria. Stanton - I will get right to the point, the fans are reacting very poorly to our "re-imagining" plan. I am trying to not over-react but since Jerry's departure a lot of folks are coming out of the woodwork to speak up. GM Martin - Yes I have noticed the fan apathy while doing interviews around the horn. There also appears to be a bit of a negative opinion of Manager Scott Servais as well. Stanton - Well you've met him now and have talked to him, what do you think. Martin - Honestly, if he didn't have a 4 year contract, I might be discretely searching for his replacement. Stanton - Don't let the contract stop you. If the team struggles as badly as many are predicting, you will not have a problem from me to hire your own guy. But back to my hopes for the season. I have a few goals for you. 1.) I know we are not considered a contender, but I would like to see us at least keep 500 in clear view. 2.) I would like you to bring in a top flight player, preferably someone that the fans also like and might get excited to buy tickets to see. 3.) My long term goal would be to build up the team to reach the playoffs by 2024, but if you do it sooner I will not complain. Martin - I'll see what I can do Boss. To try and address some of these things and at least try and get us competitive I start scouring the waiver wire, the trade block and also if there are any free agents that might help. Arizona has dangled SP Madison Bumgardner who's contract for 2020 is very easily handled, but it jumps up to the mid-$20m after this season. He is 30 and while maybe not the stud he once was, he shouldn't be so easily moved. I have my scout take a closer look at MadBum as he will fit into our plans this season, but could be an albatross in future years. Arizona's primary motivation seems to be financial which makes me wonder why they signed him in the first place. (Note to self - proceed with caution). Also with Mitch Haniger on the shelf for at least 2 months, we have a gaping hole in RF and are lacking power overall. I really need to look to see if we can find a power hitter with some crowd pop. Right now Servais is playing Carlos Gonzalez, but Gonzo looks done and I do not have him making the Opening Day roster. One possibility is that won't address the fan pop issue, is we bring up young OF Kyle Lewis. Kyle is 24 and played most of last season at AA Arkansas but did have a cup of coffee with the M's. He didn't hit too bad at 261 and 6 homers in 71 AB's but I'm not sure he is ready. AAA might be the best for him, but if we don't make any other move in RF he will be the guy. We have entered discussions with the Orioles on an OF who might suit our needs. He is young and has some power. Truth be told I'm not sold on Mallex Smith as our LF as he is more a CF type with speed and very little pop. Right now Servais is playing him in LF and starting Braden Bishop in CF. Another power hitting name that has come up is in Detroit. He doesn't fit the OF profile, but he could play first and let Vogelbach DH. He isn't cheap on the money, but maybe the Tigers will retain a bit as it is known around the league they are trying to shed some salary. I'll also start shopping around Cargo, not expecting much and we will likely release him but if we can get a youngster or someone who could help this season we will try. (OOC: Arizona dangled Bumgardner for Cargo which would be too much of a steal even with that salary. If I do decide to roll the dice with MadBum, I'll at least give them something that might turn into something). We open the season in just 5 days, so its time to act quickly.

07-04-2020, 07:49 PM	#5
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	We have come up to Opening Day in Major League Baseball for the 2020 season. So we will first take a quick look at the Season Predictions by Smith & Street. The pick to win the AL East in a tight race is the Tampa Bay Rays, by 3 games over the Boston Red Sox and by 7 over the New York Yankees. Tampa is getting the nod based on what Smith and Street feels is by far the best pitching staff in the AL, led by Tyler Glasnow, Brendan McKay and Craig Morton. While some might feel that is a stretch, at least on Smith and Street paper, it is the best in the AL. In the AL Central the pick is the Minnesota Twins with 88 wins outlasting the Chicago WhiteSox by 4 games. Some feel the Cleveland Indians might be getting overlooked here but they did have some key losses in the off-season. In the AL West, despite all the drama of the off-season around a sign stealing scandal, the Houston Astros based on the best offense in the league should come out on top, followed closely (and surprisingly) by the Angels. AL Wildcards will be the LA Angels and Boston Red Sox. Over in the National League, based on the rankings they might as well not play. That is because Smith and Street likes the LA Dodgers to not only run away with the NL West, but also threaten the all-time season records for wins in a season. In 2001, the Mariners established that mark with 116 wins and based on the formula used, the Dodgers are predicated to come just under that at 115. The San Diego Padres are predicated to win the 2nd most games in the entire NL at 87 but will lose the division by a whopping 28 games. In what might be baseball's most mediocre division, the NL Central. The St. Louis Cardinals are pegged to win just 84 games but with no one else evening fielding an above 500 record, it will be enough. In the NL East in a tight battle the Atlanta Braves will edge out the defending champion Washington Nationals and the New York Mets by handful of games or less. NL Wildcard Teams will be the San Diego Padres hosting the game, but there could be playoff between the Nats and the DBacks who are both predicted to win 84 games. Up Next, Meet the 2020 Opening Day Lineup for Your Seattle Mariners! Attached Images Last edited by DD Martin; 07-04-2020 at 07:50 PM.

07-04-2020, 09:25 PM	#6
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	What wasn't discussed much on the prediction show was the prediction of the Mariners. Well the predictions don't believe that this team will break the 18 drought and likely will finish in last place in the AL West. At 75-87, we will see if it will be good enough for team owner John Stanton. Several fan polls are online predicting the number of Manager Scott Servais will actually manage before he is fired. The over/under is 90 so right around the All-Star break. Another poll is up on whether interim GM DD Martin will be invited back for 2021. Right now that poll shows a slightly more than 50% chance at 53.7%. This is potentially a big transition year for the team as they look to become a playoff contender for 2021. Now let's meet the team Starting Pitchers LHSP Marco Gonzales (28) $1,500,000 - (16-13 3.99 ERA in 2019) The leader of this staff the last 2 season out of Gonzaga University. He is signed through 2025 and the Mariners hope he can continue to build on the sucess he has found first 2 full seasons in Seattle. RHSP Steven Matz (28) $5,000,000 (11-10 4.21 ERA with NY Mets) Has rebounded well from shoulder troubles back in 2017. Doesn't seem to be the dominate pitcher he was before that injury, but is still young enough to regain his former form. He isn't thrilled with the trade from New York currently. LHSP Yusei Kikuchi (28) $14,000,000 (6-11 5.46 ERA 2019) - Had a rough start to his MLB career after a successful career in Japan. Signed to a guaranteed contract through 2021 with option year in 2022. Mariners have to hope that he can find the success that made him 30-10 2.50 ERA with the Seibu Lions in 2017-2018 RHSP Kendall Graveman (29) $1,500,000 (1-5 7.80 ERA in Oakland 2018) - Reclamation project #1 in the Seattle rotation. Graveman had moderate success in Oakland prior to 2018 but sat out most of last year following surgery. Team option at $3,500,000 for 2021 so an inexpensive trial candidate. RHSP Taijuan Walker (27) $2,000,000 (9-9 3.46 ERA in Arizona 2017) Former Mariner 1st round pick in 2010 returns to Seattle after 2 injury ruined seasons. Walker is young but like Graveman is another reclamation project. Starting pitching assessment - Gonzalez has been a solid hand with the Mariners and Matz looks like he has made it back the last 2 years with the Mets. Team lacks a true #1 SP and has 2 reclamation projects and Kikuchi who struggled mightily in his first season in MLB. For the team to have any shot at a 500 record, they need this group to 1.) be healthy and 2.) have the 3-5 starters find their form. Bullpen - LHCL Taylor Guilbeau (26) $563,500 (0-0 3.65 ERA in 12 innings Seattle 2019) - Scott Servais has handed the closing duties to the inexperienced lefty from Alabama. Came over to Seattle from the Washington Nationals in a trade at the deadline in 2019. RHRP Carl Edwards Jr. (28) $950,000 (1-1 8.47 ERA between Cubs and SD in 2019) Veteran reliever will be one of the 2 setup relievers in the bullpen. Last season was a disaster, but was successful as recently as 2018 with a 2.60 ERA RHRP Dan Altavilla (27) $563,500 (2-1 5.52 ERA Seattle) Has a 3 pitch mix with a dominate fastball and slider but control issues have caused some concern and stopped him from realizing his full potential. RHRP Brandon Brennan (28) $575,000 (3-6 4.56 ERA Seattle) - Throws a hard sinker with a slider and change. He needs to control his walks RHRP Yoshihisa Hirano (36) $1,600,000 (5-5 4.75 ERA Arizona) - One of the few veteran players on the team. Had 2 solid seasons in Arizona prior to coming to Seattle. RHRP Yohan Ramirez (24) $563,500 Rule 5 pick (3-5 4.76 ERA at AA Corpus Christi) Has electric stuff and profiles as a SP, but he is the 2nd coming of "wild thing". LHRP Wei-Yin Chen (36) $563,500 (0-1 6.59 ERA Miami) Made the team because he is only lefty reliever besides closer Guilbeau. Prognosis is he will be released as soon as a more capable LHRP is available (waivers perhaps). He is popular in Seattle so he has that going for him and might give him a little time. RHRP Jharel Cotton (28) $640,000 (0-2 7.71 ERA AAA Las Vegas) The very popular (big reason he was acquired) RP is at the back end of the bullpen. He could be plugged in as an emergency SP but most likely will be the long man. Bullpen Assessment - Dumpster fire Next - The position players

07-05-2020, 04:02 PM	#7
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	2020 Mariner Position Players Catchers - C Tom Murphy R (28) $563,500 (273/324/858 17-40 Seattle) Murphy is a tremendous defensive catcher who showed surprising pop last season hitting 17 homers. His emergence made the trade of Omar Narvaez possible in the off-season. C Austin Nola (30) $563,500 (269/342/796 10-31 Seattle) Leadership and versatility are his calling cards. Besides catcher can play solid + defense on the right side of the infield and fill in defense at the left. Position Summary - Solid defense with some pop out of both and cheap. Very cost effective if not spectacular solutions. Infielders (starters listed first) 1B Jake Lamb L $5,515,000 (193/323/676 6-30 Arizona) Seattle native has had a tough last couple of injury plagued seasons in Arizona. Came over late in spring training on a trade where Arizona ate a portion of salary. Due to his defense will be the everyday first baseman. 2B Shed Long 24 L $563,500 (263/333/787 5-15 168AB Seattle) - Last seasons 2nd half call up will be the everyday 2B against right hand pitchers and is pegged to start the season as left hand SP at DH. He looks like he could be the Mariner's answer at 2B for years to come. SS JP Crawford 25 L $563,500 (226/313/684 7-46 Seattle) Solid defensive shortstop with good range but is still trying to find his stroke at the big league level. Mariner's are hoping that he can step up his hitting and make the position his alongside Shed for years to come. 3B Kyle Seager L (32) $19,000,000 (239/321/789 Seattle) Solid glove but erratic bat that goes long stretches in a funk. Is under contract this season and next ($18,000,000) and club has a team option at $15 million for 22 that will need to see solid production to be picked up. 2B/U John Berti R (30) $563,500 (273/348/755 6-24 Miami) Brings the ability to play both infield and outfield spots and a rare right handed bat. Will start season as 2B versus left handed SP. DH/1B Dan Vogelbach L (27) $563,500 (208/341/780 30-76 Seattle) Will start the season as DH against right hand SP. Is a typical power hitter with low average with high walks and even more K's. 2B/CF Dee Gordon L (31) $13,500,000 (275/304/663 3-34) Aging speedster has lost his starting roles at both 2B and CF and is not a pinch hitter/runner. Likely last year in Seattle as team option barring a miracle will not be picked up for next season. If the team can trade him, they will but in spring training not so much as a nibble. Position Summary - Nice youthful combo up the middle but needs consistency by the two at the plate to be really effective. 3B Seager hasn't had a "good" season since 2016 with the bat. Lamb at 1B is local, popular but injury prone and has struggled in recent seasons. Berti is a nice utility player and with help form Nola can round out the infield. Look for Vogelbach to get everyday at bats soon despite low batting average. Outfielders LF Anthony Santander (25) S $563,500 (261/297/773 20-59 Baltimore) Acquired in spring training to help fill the void of Mitch Haniger injury and for a right handed bat presence as a switch hitter. Not great in the field or with his eye at the plate but has some pop to occasionally excite the fans. CF Mallex Smith 26 L $2,350,000 (227/300/635 6-37) Had a great 2018 season in Tampa after starting career in Seattle and has now returned once again. Last year was a real disappointment at the plate with average but did swipe 46 bags and gives a leadoff speedster presence at top of the order. RF Kyle Lewis 24 R $563,500 (263/342/741 11-62 AA Arkansas) Team likely would have liked him to get a few AAA at-bats early in the season but the injury to Haniger, the release of the ineffective Car-Go and his decent trial at the end of last season in the majors will give him his shot. Has at least 7 weeks to solidify his spot on roster before the hopefully return of Haniger from the IL. OF Braden Bishop 26 R $563,500 ( 276/360/847 8-31 AAA Tacoma) Excellent defensive CF that was slotted there to start before acquisition of Santander. Hit well at AAA but struggled in call up to Seattle last season. Team officials are hoping that he is more than a 4th OF or AAAA player. Position Summary - Fans will be watching hoping that Smith returns to his Tampa 2018 batting and that both Lewis and Santander can deliver in the corners. Haniger's return only makes the unit stronger but will force someone to go down to AAA. Team Prediction - While Smith and Streets (BNN) has the team pegged at 75 wins, I am thinking that is generous. While the team has some power with left handed hitting, it will likely struggle against left handed pitching. The Mariner's pitching is a dumpster fire at best after Gonzalez and Matz. Without further improvement of personel or return to form by multiple players, I see 70-92 as a best case scenario. Next Up - Opening Day and Week 1 of the 2020 season

07-05-2020, 10:30 PM	#8
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	Opening Day always brings a lot of hope and joy for fans of teams. Where spring optimism and false hope tend to fade by Memorial Day. Last year the Mariners raced out of the games bashing homers and winning games like nobodies business. After 2 weeks the M's looked legit at 11-2 and the surprise of the American League. Of course a reality check in a home series against the Astros (Houston swept the 3 game series) and then another home series sweep loss to the Indians told the truth. Will this season start out with a bang last year (11-2) or stand like the season ended (57-92)? Most likely the latter although odds in Vegas have the Mariners winning more games than they did last season (68), progress right? The season opens with a 4-game series against AL West rival, the Texas Rangers. A near sellout crowd is expected to be on hand to open the new season. The Rangers led the all-time series against the M's with a 343-331 advantage. But Seattle has held its home field even if just barely, holding the edge at home 174-161. Last season the Rangers went 78-84 good for 3rd in the AL West 29 games behind the Astro's. This season the Rangers are picked 4th in the AL West with a projected record of 79-83. So the M's and Ranger's will likely be battling each other this year to stay out of the cellar. The Ranger's are led by a former 3B and now RF Joey Gallo. Last season Gallo only played in 70 games but hit for his highest average in his MLB career at 253 wiht 22 homers and 49 RBI's. A big off-season free agent signing was former Cy Young Award winner Cory Kluber who only pitched in 7 games last season before a line drive up the middle broke his right forearm. The Ranger's hope Kluber and revert back to that Cy Young Award level. Also on the mound, coming back for his second season as a Ranger is RHSP Lance Lynn who went 16-11 3.67 in his first season with the Rangers. And finally a long time Ranger who played one season in Houston has signed back is C Robinson Chirinos. The fans love that Robinson has returned to Arlington. Pitching Match-ups (Seattle will always be listed first) Marco Gonzalez (16-13 3.99 last season) vs Cory Kluber (2-3 5.80 last season Cleveland) Steven Matz (11-10 4.26 last season NY Mets) vs Lance Lynn (16-11 3.67 last season) Yusei Kikuchi (6-11 5.46 last season) vs Mike Minor (14-10 3.59 last season) Kendall Graveman (1-5 7.60 2018 Oakland) vs Kyle Gibson (13-7 4.84 last season Minnesota) Game #1 Seattle 0-0 vs Texas 0-0 Mariners Hope Opening Day Win (8-3) Bodes Well for Season The Seattle Mariners started the 2020 season win an impressive 8-3 win against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park. Marco Gonzales, who finished 5th in the AL in wins with 16 last year, led the way for Seattle. Kyle Seager tagged a home run off Corey Kluber in the bottom of the first. His 2-run blast put the Mariners on top, 2-0. In all, Seager had 1 single in addition to the home run, while going 2 for 5. "Marco was pounding the zone," said Seattle manager Scott Servais. WP - Marco Gonzales 1-0 3.68 LP - Cory Kluber 0-1 6.75 Home Runs: D. Vogelbach (1, 5th Inning off L. Farrell, 0 on, 1 out) K. Seager (1, 1st Inning off C. Kluber, 1 on, 1 out) Player of the Game - Marco Gonzales A - 46,666 (capacity 47,116) 99.1% Game #2 Seattle Mariners 1-0 vs Texas Rangers 0-1 No Mercy for Rangers in 14-1 Pounding The Seattle Mariners relied on the hitting of first baseman Jake Lamb to stop the Texas Rangers, 14-1. For the game, Lamb was 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 singles, and a walk, while scoring 3 times and driving in 5. Steven Matz got the win, improving to 1-0. He worked 8 innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits, while striking out 9 and walking 1. The Mariners, now 2-0, have been playing some good baseball. Lamb had an important at-bat with runners on 2nd and 3rd in the bottom of the sixth, when he hit a 2-run single. The Mariners went on to win. "You can't sugarcoat this one," said Texas manager Chris Woodward. "We got the snot knocked out of us." WP - Steven Matz 1-0 1.13 LP - Lance Lynn 0-1 6.75 Home Runs: J. Lamb (1, 7th Inning off N. Goody, 2 on, 1 out) D. Vogelbach (2, 8th Inning off C. Allen, 1 on, 1 out) T. Murphy (1, 6th Inning off L. Garcia, 1 on, 2 outs) Player of the Game - Jake Lamb A - 33,245 (70.6%) Game #3 - Seattle Mariners 2-0 vs Texas Rangers 0-2 Minor Now 1-0 After Subduing Mariners 7-0 Texas got a strong outing from Mike Minor as the Rangers defeated the Seattle Mariners, 7-0, at T-Mobile Park. The loss has the Mariners at 2-1. Minor allowed no runs over 7.2 innings. He also racked up 6 strikeouts. "Mike -- his tempo and rhythm were good," said Rangers manager Chris Woodward. "He was the key to us winning." WP - Mike Minor 1-0 0.00 LP - Yusei Kikuchi 0-1 23.14 Home Runs: Rangers - D. Santana (1, 5th Inning off J. Cotton, 0 on, 0 outs) T. Frazier (1, 3rd Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 2 on, 1 out) Play of the Game - Mike Minor A - 35,111 (74.6%) Game #4 - Seattle 2-1 vs Texas Rangers 1-2 Mariners Bridle Rangers, 4-3 Seattle picked up a win at T-Mobile Park, toppling the Texas Rangers, 4-3. Pitcher Kendall Graveman was one of the reasons the Mariners triumphed. Dan Altavilla, summoned from the bullpen, notched his 1st save. The victory makes Seattle 3-1. Braden Bishop contributed to the Seattle win with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth. For the game, the center fielder had 2 hits in 4 at-bats with 1 home run, 1 single, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI. "Kendall -- his tempo and rhythm were good," said Mariners manager Scott Servais. "He was the key to us winning." WP - Kendall Graveman 1-0 1.42 LP - Kyle Gibson 0-1 6.00 S - Dan Altavila 1 0.00 Home Runs: B. Bishop (1, 5th Inning off K. Gibson, 0 on, 0 outs) Player of the Game - Kendall Graveman A - 32,719 (69.5%) Week 1 thoughts - Not a bad way to start the season going 3-1 at home. Really nice starts for 3 of our 4 starting pitchers to open the season with the exception of the highest paid one. Yusei Kikuchi was bombed in game 3 8 hits and 6 runs in just 2.1 innings to open the season with a 23.14 ERA. At least he will be well rested after only tossing 52 pitches in the game. Definitely pleased with the attendance with the near miss sellout on opening night followed by strong 32,000+ crowds all weekend. I know we won't stay on a 36,000+ plus pace, but it did put a smile on Mr. Stanton's face. So far the only home runs given up by the pitching staff were in game #3 with (you guessed it) Kikuchi giving up a pair. On the other hand we managed to hit 6 in the opening 4 games. Which is normally a pretty good number but puts us at just 8th in the AL. A lot of balls were flying out of the ballparks opening weekend. DH Dan Vogelbach had a nice series hitting 2 homeruns and driving in 5 and has a nice 364 average too. Before I forget, we had 1 IL move that had to be made. Why? because RP Carl Edwards who didn't pitch in either of the first 2 games had an off the field accident prior to Saturday's game 3. Carl suffered what team trainer Kyle Torgerson reported as an undisclosed injury. Now Torgie didn't actually get to see Carl in person, but was sent a doctor's note excusing Edwards for 2 weeks. I am not sure what to make of this but when I talked to Edwards on the phone he said he was injured while helping a friend move. I might have to get team private investigator Dexter Horton to review this situation more closely. Anyway we sent Edwards and whatever ails him to the IL and called up RHRP Zac Grotz from Tacoma. Next week - 3 at home versus the Minnesota Twins (1-3) and then off on the road for 3 with the Kansas City Royals (2-1) in a unique series schedule with a game Thursday, an off-day on Friday and then games on Saturday and Sunday. Last edited by DD Martin; 07-05-2020 at 10:50 PM.

07-06-2020, 09:22 PM	#9
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	Week 2 of the 2020 Season The 2nd week of the season brings us a full slate of games, 6 in all. We start the week continuing the home stand against the favorites in the AL Central, the Minnesota Twins. Then we venture on the road for the first time in the 2020 season with 3 games in KC against the Royals. Mariners vs Twins Seattle's T-Mobile Park March 30-31, April 1st Pitching Matchups Taijuan Walker (9-9 3.49 ERA 2017 Arizona) vs Homer Bailey (6-3 4.30 ERA 2019 Oakland) Marco Gonzales (1-0 3.68 2020) vs Matt Wisler (0-0 6.00 2020) Steven Matz (1-0 1.13 2020) vs Jose Berrios (1-0 1.29 2020) The Mariners actually led the all-time series against the Twins by the count of 232-222 and hold a 125-101 advantage in Seattle. The Twins were winners of 101 games last season in a surprising run to the AL Central title and are looking to do the same again. The Twins currently have some injuries to mostly their pitching staff with several players on the IL. Veteran SP Rich Hill will start the season on the IL (no surprise there) and will be out until likely June 1st. Former Mariner/Yankee SP Michael Pineda is also on the shelf for at least another 5 weeks. RP Fernando Romero is out for 2 weeks and then another big blow as SP Kenta Maeda lasted just 2 innings against Oakland in the opening series and tore his UCL and will have Tommy John Surgery tomorrow and will be out until sometime next season. This rash of injuries might explain why former Brave and Mariner reject Matt Wisler is in the Minnesota rotation. The Twins are led by some young star players (Jose Berrios, Mitch Garver, Miguel Sano) with mix of productive veterans (Nelson Cruz, Josh Donaldson). If they can survive the early injuries to the starting rotation they are the favorites to win the Central. Game #5 - Seattle Mariners 3-1 vs Minnesota Twins 1-3 Walker Now 1-0 After Subduing Twins 3-0 In a well-pitched game between the Seattle Mariners and the Minnesota Twins, pitcher Taijuan Walker was superb. The Seattle right-hander helped his team win, 3-0. The Mariners, now 4-1, have played some good baseball in the early going. Walker, who was born in Yucaipa, California, threw 109 pitches over 7 innings, while allowing no runs. Walker called the win "a team effort." WP - Taijuan Walker 1-0 0.00 LP - Homer Bailey 0-1 4.26 S- Yoshihisa Hirano 1 0.00 Home Runs: J. Lamb (2, 5th Inning off H. Bailey, 0 on, 0 outs) Player of the Game - Taijuan Walker A - 28,288 (60.1%) Notes after game - While the win was nice and it was a great return to Seattle and to the Major Leagues by Taijuan Walker, there is a potential down side. 2B Shed Long in the top of the 7th after fielding a grounder hit by Max Kepler and throwing him out at 1st, grabbed his back in obvious discomfort. Team Trainer Torgerson went out to take a look and him and determined he could not continue. Dee Gordon took over at 2B and will be likely slotted as the starter for the duration of the injury to Long. He will undergo further examination tomorrow. We decide to wait a day before making a move on Long to the IL. Also prior to the game, the Oakland A's GM David Forst called up in response to our spring training desire to acquire a power hitting OF. He offered Khris Davis (while retaining 65% of his salary) but asked for Taylor Guilbeau and minor league LHP Aaron Fletcher in return. Davis has done well in Oakland and was a model of consistency in 2016-2018 hitting 247 each season while hitting 43+ home runs each season. Last year he struggled more hitting only 220 with 23 home runs. Davis is under contract for this season and next and our cost would be a little under $6 million per season. If this was last season, I might have pulled the trigger on this deal. We decided that while Davis is a fine slugger and might fit in well, we didn't want to take playing time away from either Santander of Lewis in the corner OF slots. Finally the Twins have decided to push back Matt Wisler and named Jose Berrios the SP Tuesday. This sets up a match up between Berrios and Gonzales. Wisler has be tentatively pushed back to Wednesday facing Steven Matz. Game #6 - Seattle Mariners 4-1 vs Minnesota Twins 1-4 Gonzales at His Best, Whips Twins 5-0 The Twins can take comfort in knowing that they will not have to face Marco Gonzales again for a while. The 28-year-old hurler pitched a 4-hit shutout to help the Seattle Mariners beat Minnesota 5-0. In the process, Gonzales struck out 9 and walked 0. WP - Marco Gonzales 2-0 1.65 LP - Juan Berrios 1-1 3.38 Home Runs: K. Seager (2, 7th Inning off T. Clippard, 2 on, 2 outs) Player of the Game - Marco Gonzales (2) A - 32,899 (69.9%) Well the diagnosis on 2B Shed Long came back and we are relieved. Trainer Kyle Torgerson responded that Long issues were back spasms and that with some treatment should be able to be with the team available for the start of the series in KC. Long will not start Wednesday versus the Twins and might be held out Thursday in KC as there is the odd off day on Friday. Game #7 - Seattle Mariners 5-1 vs Minnesota Twins 1-5 Twins Take Down Mariners, 9-8 in 11 The Minnesota Twins defeated the Seattle Mariners, 9-8, in American League action at T-Mobile Park. Nelson Cruz pulled his weight. The 16-year veteran slugged 2 home runs. He drove in 4 runs and scored twice. With the loss, Seattle drops to 5-2. Minnesota used the clutch hitting of Jorge Polanco to capture the win. The shortstop drilled a run-scoring double in the top of the 11th inning to give the Twins the lead, 9-8. For the game, Polanco had 3 singles and 1 double in 6 at-bats. In postgame comments, Cruz said he was glad to contribute to an exciting win. WP - Taylor Rogers 1-0 0.00 LP - Zac Grotz 0-1 9.00 Home Runs: Minnesota - N. Cruz 2 (5, 1st Inning off S. Matz, 1 on, 1 out; 3rd Inning off S. Matz, 1 on, 2 outs) Seattle - T. Murphy (2, 4th Inning off M. Wisler, 0 on, 0 outs) Player of the Game - Nelson Cruz A - 35,199 (74.7%) Pitcher Steven Matz left the game after his warm-up tosses prior to the start of the 4th inning. According to Mariner Manager Scott Servais, Matz felt some tightness on the cool April evening so as a precaution the team took him out of the game. Matz wasn't particular sharp on this night in his 3 innings as he gave up 4 hits and 4 earned runs. I'm a little discouraged with our closer Taylor Guilbeau as he has been roughed up in his 3 outings to the tune of a 20.25 ERA and a blown save (tonight's game against the Twins). It's still early but I have noticed that Scott has been using both Altavita and Hirano in key situations as well. A solid home stand for us going 5-2. We are in 2nd place in the AL West as Oakland has jumped out to a 6-1 record. If Shed Long handles the flight down to Kansas City well, he will likely be starting on Thursday. Seattle Mariners @ Kansas City Royals - 3 games Thursday 2nd, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th (off day on Friday the 4th) The Royals come into this series with a 3-2 record after starting on the road against the White Sox and the Tigers. The Royals lead the all time series against the Mariners 232-221 and hold the edge at Kaufmann Stadium as well 126-106. The Royals enter the season with a similar expectation as the Mariners do as far as a won/loss record goes. The Royals were predicted 4th in the Central with a 74-88 mark by Smith & Streets (BNN). It's early in the season but currently the Royals pitching is preforming better than there hitting. The Royals have the #5 rotation ERA at 3.77 and their bullpen ranks 6th with the same 3.77 ERA. In contrast the Mariners have the #2 rotation ERA at 3.14 and are 4th in the AL as a bullpen at 3.27. Offensively the Royals are 12th in batting average at 241 and 14th in OBP at 297 and are slugging at a 386 clip. Conversely the Mariner's are 6th in average (272), 9th in OBP (326), and 8th in slugging (456). The Royals are led on offense by Jorge Soler who finally had his big coming out party last season when he hit 265/354/922 with a league leading 48 home runs and drove in 117 RBI's. He still led the league in whiffs last season with a 178. Can he duplicate last seasons heroics? So far he is off to a rough start with a 178 batting average. Another star on the roster is do everything 2B Whit Merrifield. A subject of frequent trade rumors over the last several seasons Merrifield hit 302 last season with 20SB, 105 runs scored and 16 home runs with 74 RBI's. SS Adalberto Mondesi is looking to continue to build on his rookie season where he hit 263 but struggle to draw walks (19) and only had a 291 OBP. On the pitching side of things, well there is not a lot on paper there to talk about. So far this season they look better than advertised but it has only been 5 games. Pitching Match Ups Yusei Kikuchi (0-1 23.14) vs Brett Anderson (13-9 3.89 Last Season in Oakland) Kendall Graveman (1-0 1.42) vs Jakob Junis (1-0 10.38) Taijuan Walker (1-0 0.00 vs Danny Duffy (0-1 6.00) Game #8 - Seattle Mariners 5-2 @ Kansas City Royals 3-2 Royals McBroom Jacks Two Home Runs in 6-4 Kansas City Win The Kansas City Royals beat the Seattle Mariners by a score of 6-4. first baseman Ryan McBroom deserved the lion's share of the credit. McBroom slugged 2 home runs, while scoring 3 runs and driving in 3 for the Royals. Brett Anderson earned the win for Kansas City. He lasted 5.2 innings, allowing 1 run on 7 hits, while striking out 4. With the win, he raised his record to 1-0. The win gives Kansas City a record of 4-2. With Kansas City leading 4-1 in the bottom of the seventh, McBroom hit a changeup from Yusei Kikuchi for a 2-run home run. It was his 2nd home run of the season (and of the game against Kikuchi) and put the Royals ahead, 6-1. "We take it day by day here," said McBroom, "and today was a good one for us." WP - Brett Anderson 1-0 1.59 LP - Yusei Kikuchi (0-2 12.46) S- Ian Kennedy 3 0.00 Home Runs: KC - R. McBroom 2 (2, 6th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 0 on, 0 outs; 7th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 1 on, 1 out), SEA - Home Runs: S. Long Jr. (1, 9th Inning off J. Lopez, 1 on, 2 outs) Player of the Game - Ryan McBroom A - 26427 Game #9 - Seattle Mariner's 5-3 @ Kansas City Royals 4-2 Royals Solve Mariners, 5-3 The Kansas City Royals defeated the Seattle Mariners, 5-3, in American League action at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City pitcher Jakob Junis had a standout performance. The Royals raised their record to 5-2. With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Jorge Soler had a game-changing hit. The Royals designated hitter slammed a run-scoring single off Brandon Brennan, making the score 4-3, Kansas City. "We'll relax tonight and get back after it tomorrow," Junis said after the game. WP - Scott Barlow 1-0 0.00 LP - Kendall Graveman 1-1 2.84 S - Ian Kennedy 4 0.00 Home Runs: KC - B. Phillips (3, 7th Inning off K. Graveman, 0 on, 1 out) Player of the Game Jakob Junis A - 17682 Game #10 Seattle Mariner's 5-4 @ Kansas City Royals 5-2 Walker Looks Legit as Mariners Win at Kansas City, 5-2 Seattle pitcher Taijuan Walker did his part in helping his team beat the Kansas City Royals, 5-2. The right-hander kept opposing batters in check throughout the game. Taylor Guilbeau collected his 1st save. The win puts Seattle at 6-4. Jon Berti, the 30-year old second baseman , had a direct impact on the outcome. Berti contributed a 2-run home run in the top of the third inning to put Seattle up, 3-0. "We can always improve and get better, but we're feeling confident after that win," said Berti. WP - Taijuan Walker 2-0 1.20 LP - Danny Duffy 0-2 6.75 S- Taylor Guilbeau 1 11.57 Home Runs: J. Berti (1, 3rd Inning off D. Duffy, 1 on, 0 outs) Player of the Game Taijuan Walker (2) A - 19,176 Mariner season record 6-4 2nd place 2GB Oakland Comments - Have to admit I was kind of hoping for a bit more in this series. We have a glaring problem that doesn't seem to be getting and better and that is Yusei KiKuchi. While he pitched better in this game (6 ER in 6.1) and he about halved his ERA down to 12.46, he is not keeping us in games. I need to see some progress or he might be on his way to Tacoma to work things out. Although the thought of him pitching in the hitter friendly PCL might be a delight to hitters, it might not help him out either. Taijuan Walker has been a huge early season success story coming back from injury. Right now (I Know its way too early) his signing looks like a huge success. If we are going to stay around 500 this season we are going to need him to keep it going. We sent a scout out to kick the tires on LHP Danny Salazar who was still on the free agent market after the start of the season. But while we were kicking the tires and checking his spotty medicals, Tampa Bay was impressed enough with him to sign him to a deal. We were looking for depth so we would have only offered him a minor league deal with a 30-day callup option for around $1.0 million. He wanted $1.5 million but settled for a similar deal as to what we would have offered with a $900,000 contract and $132,500 in incentives. Tampa called him up and he got the win in his opening start pitching well. There are some interesting names on the waiver wire where Oakland DFA SP Mike Fiers who pitched 7 innings of shutout ball in his only start (only gave up 1 hit too). But his $8.1 million contract is more than we can handle right now. Boston gave Rusney Castillo 1 AB before finally admitting that was a terrible signing several years ago (2014). I don't see anyone biting on that deal. On the injury news around the league, besides Kenta Maeda being out for the A's. The White Sox lost promising 24 year-old Dylan Cease to a torn rotator cuff and he will be out until May of next year. Also having an early end to the season was Cincinnati RP Robert Stephenson to the same injury. The miracle workers in Cincinnati hope that he will be ready in time for spring training next season. Next up on the schedule - Week 3 of the season as the M's go to Chicago to play the White Sox (3-6) for 3 and then come home and face the Boston Red Sox (4-6) Attached Images Last edited by DD Martin; 07-06-2020 at 09:25 PM.

07-11-2020, 11:23 PM	#10
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	The Mariners head to Chicago to take on the White Sox in a early season battle. The Sox hold a lead in the all-time series by a count of 241-212 and a commanding advantage in the Windy City 136-94. On the season the White Sox are 3-6 in the AL Central and sitting in 3rd place trailing the division leading Indians by 4.5 games. They are led by one of the games best young RHSP Lucas Giolito. Giolito was 14-9 with an ERA in the mid 3's and has struggled to start this season 0-0 5.11. Giolito will get the opening game assignment against Mariner "ace" Marco Gonzales. The White Sox signed top free agent C Yasmani Grandal. Grandal is hitting 255 with 4 homers and 9 RBI's. They also have a good young 3B/2B in Yoan Moncada as well in the lineup along with veteran 1B Jose Abreau. The White Sox are struggling the most in the pitching staff and the bullpen has been the most atrocious. So far the bullpen has an ERA of 7.70 good for 13th in the AL (hard to believe there are worse, but Boston and the Angels are). The starting pitchers aren't doing much better with a 6.02 ERA (11th). Pitching Match Ups Marco Gonzales 2-0 1.65 vs Gio Gonzalez 0-1 7.20 Steven Matz 1-0 4.09 vs Lucas Giolito 0-0 5.11 Yusei Kikuchi 0-2 12.46 vs Alex McRae 0-0 1.42 Seattle Mariners 6-4 2nd AL West vs Chicago White Sox 3-6 Guaranteed Rate Field - Chicago 40,615 capacity Game #11 Seattle Mariners 6-4 @ Chicago White Sox 3-6 White Sox Sneak Past Mariners, 3-2 The Chicago White Sox beat the Seattle Mariners, 3-2. Chicago pitcher and Hialeah, Florida, native Gio Gonzalez led the way. Reliever Aaron Bummer picked up the win. His record improves to 1-1. Marco Gonzales took the loss. The save was Jace Fry's, his 1st. Leury Garcia helped out the Chicago cause in the bottom of the eighth inning with a run-scoring sacrifice fly. For the game, the second baseman went 1 for 3. "You can't get too high when things go well, or too low when things go bad. Right now, I'm just happy we got the win," Garcia told the Chicago Gazette. The win has Chicago at 4-6. WP - Aaron Bummer 1-1 5.40 LP - Marco Gonzalez 2-1 2.28 S - Jace Fry 1 4.50 Player of the Game - Gio Gonzalez Home Runs: T. Murphy (3, 4th Inning off G. Gonzalez, 0 on, 0 outs) CH Home Runs: E. Jimenez (3, 6th Inning off M. Gonzales, 1 on, 2 outs) A - 17,292 We lost to the pitcher named Bummer (shakes his head) but we still have a winning record, but for how long. Game #12 Seattle Mariners 6-5 @ Chicago White Sox 4-6 Dominant Performance by Matz in Seattle Win 5-3 Seattle Mariners starter Steven Matz was in a groove as he led his team to a win over the Chicago White Sox, 5-3. Taylor Guilbeau earned the save, his 2nd, for the Mariners. The White Sox fall to 4-7 and continue their uninspiring start to the 2020 season. Matz scattered 3 hits over 7 innings for the Mariners. With the win, Matz goes to 2-0 on the year with 19 strikeouts. "We'll kick back tonight, then get set for the next one," Matz said. WP - Steven Matz 2-0 2.50 :P - Lucas Giolito 0-1 4.67 S - Taylor Guilbeau 2 10.80 Home Runs: T. Murphy (4, 6th Inning off K. Herrera, 1 on, 2 outs) CH Home Runs: Y. Grandal (2, 9th Inning off J. Cotton, 1 on, 0 outs) E. Encarnacion (2, 9th Inning off T. Guilbeau, 0 on, 0 outs) Player of the Game - Steven Matz (2) A - 18,656 Game #13 - Seattle Mariners 7-5 @ Chicago White Sox 4-7 Mariners Drop White Sox, 7-4 The Seattle Mariners topped the Chicago White Sox, 7-4, with first baseman Jake Lamb playing a big role. Lamb went 2 for 4 with a home run, while scoring 2 runs and driving in 3 for the Mariners in the win. Yusei Kikuchi earned the win for Seattle. He lasted 8 innings, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits, while striking out 2. With the win, he raised his record to 1-2. Taylor Guilbeau picked up the save, his 3rd. Early in the game, Lamb had a 2-run home run for Seattle. It was his 3rd home run of the season and put the Mariners on top, 2-0. "Feels good to get the job done," Lamb said after the game. The win gives Seattle a record of 8-5. WP - Yusei Kikuchi 1-2 8.64 LP - Cody Anderson 0-1 9.53 S- Taylor Guilbeau 3 8.31 Home Runs: J. Lamb (3, 2nd Inning off C. Anderson, 1 on, 1 out) CH Home Runs: J. McCann (2, 6th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 0 on, 2 outs) E. Encarnacion (3, 6th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 0 on, 1 out) Player of the Game - Jake Lamb A - 15,901 GM Summary - So we took 2 out of 3 from the White Sox and head back home to T-Mobile Park with an 8-5 record. With Marco taking a loss in game 1 of the series and Kikuchi starting the finale, I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised we took 2 out of 3. Kikuchi threw his best start by far going 8 innings giving up 9 hits and 4 earned runs. Not great, not a quality start but he kept us in the game so Lamb could provide some heroics and get him the win. Wei-Yin Chin is injured but will only be out the rest of the week with forearm stiffness. We have 4 games at home against Boston but we will try to ride out the injury since the bullpen is fairly well rested. If we need to make a move during the series we will likely look at Tacoma lefty Jack Patterson. The Red Sox come up next as we continue our Sox week. Seattle Mariners 8-5 vs Boston Red Sox 5-8 4 game series April 9-12 Seattle T-Mobile Park The Red Sox are coming off a disappointing 2019 season with an 84-78 record, but are figured to be in the running with Tampa at the top of the AL East. So far this season they are off to a less than impressive 5-8 start for new manager Ron Roenicke. The Red Sox are loaded on the offensive side of the ball. With SS Xander Bogerts, 3B Rafael Devers, LF Andrew Benintendi and DH JD Martinez. The Sox have the 2nd best batting average at 287 in the AL and have scored 5.01 rpg good for 5th in the AL, but have the worst pitching staff in the league giving up 6.58 rpg. The bullpen and starting staff are both equally as guilty. The Red Sox led the all-time series 246-183 including a 116-105 advantage in Seattle. Pitching Match Ups** Kendall Graveman 1-1 2.84 vs Ryan Weber 0-1 5.94 Taijuan Walker 2-0 1.20 vs Collin McHugh 1-0 2.57 Marco Gonzalez 2-1 2.28 vs Eduardo Rodriguez 1-1 7.71 Steven Matz 2-0 2.50 vs Nathan Eovaldi 0-2 6.89 Game #14 Seattle Mariners 8-5 vs Boston Red Sox 5-8 Graveman, Seattle Prevail in Pitchers' Duel 1-0 The Seattle Mariners picked up a win at T-Mobile Park, taking down the Boston Red Sox, 1-0. Starting pitcher Kendall Graveman was a big reason why. The Red Sox, now 5-9, continue their inauspicious start. Graveman allowed no runs on 4 hits over 8 innings for the Mariners. He walked 1 and struck out 4. "We take it day by day here," said Graveman, "and today was a good one for us." WP - Kendall Graveman 2-1 1.74 LP - Ryan Weber 0-2 3.57 S - Dan Altavilla 2 0.00 Home Runs: K. Seager (3, 4th Inning off R. Weber, 0 on, 0 outs) Player of the Game - Kendall Graveman A - 28,970 61.4% Amazing start by Graveman 8 innings 4-hitter with only 1 walk Game #15 Seattle Mariners 9-5 vs Boston Red Sox 5-9 Mariners Edge Past Red Sox, 5-4 in 12 innings There was no shortage of dramatics at T-Mobile Park. The Seattle Mariners faced a tough opponent in Boston pitcher Collin McHugh, but did just enough to pull out the victory at T-Mobile Park by a final score of 5-4. McHugh went 8 innings and allowed 1 run. Seattle reliever Zac Grotz picked up the win, upping his record to 1-1. Brandon Workman shouldered the loss. The game came to an abrupt end with no one out in the bottom of the 12th. On a pitch from Brandon Workman, Jon Berti drew a walk, driving in 1 run. It gave Seattle the 5-4 win. "Both teams played hard," said Seattle manager Scott Servais. Boston drops to 5-10. WP - Zac Grotz 1-1 6.75 LP - Brandon Workman 0-1 1.93 Home Runs: Bos J. Martinez (5, 9th Inning off B. Brennan, 1 on, 1 out) Sea Home Runs: A. Santander (1, 9th Inning off M. Barnes, 2 on, 1 out) Player of the Game Collin McHugh A - 35,429 75.1% Crazy game where Boston led 1-0 from the first inning. Boston pads their led to 4-0 in the top of the 9th and things looked bleak for us. Somehow the M's came up with 4 in the bottom of the 9th and then won it in the 12th and the based loaded walk to Jon Berti. Taijuan Walker had another great start going 7 innings and giving up 1 run. He continues to look great for us in the first month of the season. Game #16 Seattle Mariners 10-5 vs Boston Red Sox 5-10 Victory Over Red Sox Takes Seattle to 11-5 In a low-scoring clash between Seattle and Boston, pitcher Marco Gonzales was a difference-maker. The left-hander earned accolades in the 2-1 win. In 6.2 innings, Gonzales surrendered 5 hits, while striking out 5 and walking 2. He allowed 1 run. Zac Grotz earned the save, his 1st. Making an impact for the home team was Shed Long Jr.. In the bottom of the fifth, the 24-year old second baseman had a run-scoring sacrifice fly. That made the score 2-1, Mariners. "The old adage is true," said Long Jr.. "Good pitching stops good hitting." With their winning streak at 5, the Mariners have raced to a strong start this season. WP - Marco Gonzalez 3-1 1.78 LP - Eduardo Rodriguez 1-2 6.17 S - Zac Grotz 1 4.50 Home Runs: T. Murphy (5, 2nd Inning off E. Rodriguez, 0 on, 0 outs) Player of the Game - Marco Gonzalez A - 34,790 73.8% After the game we reward Zac Grotz by demoting him to Tacoma as we up LHRP Jack Patterson. The bullpen in the extra inning and close games has been a little taxed with Chen's absence, so we made move. After Sunday's game we will likely send Patterson back down and activate RP Carl Edwards Jr from his mystery injury "at home". I admit I did quietly shop Edwards around but decided not to over react since the team is off to such a great start. Game #17 Seattle Mariners 11-5 vs Boston Red Sox 5-11 Red Sox Win, 8-2, at Seattle The Boston Red Sox defeated the Seattle Mariners, 8-2. Doing his part was shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who was 1 for 3 with a home run and 2 walks, while scoring 2 times and driving in 3. Nathan Eovaldi picked up the win, improving his season record to 1-2. He struck out 6 in 6.2 innings. The victory makes Boston 6-11. With Boston leading 2-0 in the top of the second, Bogaerts hit a changeup from Steven Matz for a 3-run home run. It was his 3rd home run of the season and put the Red Sox ahead, 5-0. "We put a lot of pressure on ourselves," Bogaerts told a Boston Times reporter. "Sometimes we just need to relax." The fun had to end eventually for the Mariners. WP - Nathan Eovaldi 1-2 5.24 LP - Steven Matz 2-1 4.22 Boston Home Runs: X. Bogaerts (3, 2nd Inning off S. Matz, 2 on, 2 outs) C. Vazquez (3, 6th Inning off J. Cotton, 0 on, 1 out) Sea Home Runs: A. Santander (2, 9th Inning off H. Hembree, 0 on, 0 outs) Player of the Game - Xander Bogarts A - 33,403 70.9% GM Comments - Wow 3 out of 4 against Boston, who while struggling is still the Boston Red Sox. A great 5-2 week that keeps us in 2nd place a half a game behind Oakland. As promised after the game RHRP Carl Edwards was activated off the IL and Wei-Yin Chen was pronounced fit for duty. Patterson was optioned back to Tacoma. We are currently ranking #5 in the latest baseball power rankings. Let's hope we rank that high in October. We made a move to acquire another catcher on the 40-man roster since we only had 2. The Yankee's DFA C Kyle Higashioka who is out of options. Right now we are trying to decide what we want to do with him. We need another quality backup C on the 40-man roster, so we might option Austin Nola to Tacoma. Now Higashioka is not the multi-positional player as Nola is and Nola is also a good leader in the clubhouse. We might try and risk Higashioka back on waivers and then just assign him to Tacoma. It will be a decision that we make after I have time to talk with Manager Scott Servias. Attached Images

07-12-2020, 01:25 AM	#11
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	[B]Minor League and Prospect Report The Farm Report To start the season, Baseball America has ranked the Mariner's farm system #9. The Mariner's have 4 top 100 prospects who are listed below. RF/CF Jarred Kelenic age 20 Class AA - Arkansas Travelers (Mariners #1/Overall #14) Came over last year from the Mets in the Diaz/Cano trade. In 2019 he hit 293 23-68 between Class A (mainly) and Class AA. He will open the season at AA Arkansas with an eye towards promotion by the end of July. At only 20 the team doesn't want to rush him too quickly through the system unless his performance demands it. RF Julio Rodriguez age 19 Class A+ Modesto Nuts (Mariner's #2/#22 Overall) Signed as an International FA July 2017 and split time between Class A and Class A+. Hitting 326 with 12 and 69 RBI's. He shows plus power and great range in the corner OF. ETA 2022 by Baseball America. RHSP Logan Gilbert age 22 Class AA Arkansas Travelers (#3 Mariner's/#41 Overall) Gilbert was 9-5 overall last season in 22 starts with a sparkling 2.28 ERA. Averaging over 10.3 K/9 inings and 2.1 BB/9. Gilbert has a 4-pitch mix with a plus fastball and changeup along with an above average curve and slider His ETA to Seattle by Baseball America is late 2020. (GM note I don't agree with that and believe he will be in Seattle sometime next season.) 1B Evan White L age 23 Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners#4/Overall #78) First Round pick (#17) in the 2017 draft out of the University of Kentucky. Exceptional defensive first baseman that grades out as an average power hitter, but has great patience at the plate and could be a 300 hitter/370 OBP type player. He hit 293 with 18 HR"s and 55 RBI's at AA Arkansas. Has a shot at getting a call up this season and likely to be 2021 opening day starting 1B. RHSP George Kirby Age 22 Class A+ Modesto Nuts (#5 Mariners/#110) Kirby was drafted out of Elon University in the 2019 1st round (#20) and projects as a bottom of the rotation starter. He has a plus curve and slider with an above average sinker. His stuff is explosive but he is not thought of being a top end strikeout pitcher. ETA is 2022 SS Noelvi Marti age 18 R Class A West Virginia Power (#6 Mariners/#112 overall) Signed as an International Free Agent Draft July 2018. Spent 2019 at the Mariner's rookie team hitting 309 with 9-54. He profiles as a 270 average hitter with above average power for his position. He also shows some good base running instincts with plus speed. ETA 2022 but more likely 2023 LHSP Justus Sheffield age 23 Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers (#7 Mariners/#118 overall). His ETA is 2020 and he will likely be the first SP called up with an injury to a current SP. He did well at AA but then struggled in his mid-season call up to AAA Tacoma. He has a 3 pitch mix with his money pitch being an elite slider. His control is what he needs to work on to get a call up to Seattle. ETA 2020 RF Kyle Lewis age 24 Seattle Mariners (#8Mariner's/#137 overall) Drafted out of Mercer in the 1st round (#11) in 2016. Injuries derailed a couple of years in the minor leagues but he was called up to Seattle at the end of the 2019 season. With Mitch Haniger's injury he starts the season in the big leagues as the everyday RF. RHSP Justin Dunn age 24 Class AA Arkansas Travelers (#9 Mariner's/#146) Acquired in the trade with the Met's along with Kelenic in the Diaz/Cano swap. Throws a 3 pitch mix with great raw stuff and his bread and butter pitch being his slider. Command of his pitches will determined his fate. He projects to be a mid rotation starter, but we are also looking closely to see if his makeup is better suited to a late inning reliever. ETA 2021 C Cal Raleigh S age 23 Class AA Arkansas Travelers (#10 Mariner's/#156 overall) Dead pull hitter and average defensive catcher drafted in the 3rd round 2018. He split his time between Class A Modesto and Class AA Arkansas in 2019 but really struggled with the bat at AA. He has the added plus of being a switch hitter with above average power. ETA 2021 GM Thoughts - There are a couple of guys in this group that will hopefully be helping us to get significant improvement on the 2021 team. Some might be on the team and some might be some trade parts to acquire the needed pieces to compete. We have upped our farm system budget and will continue to try and implement the scouting principles that we had put in place the last few years. One of the organizations biggest flaws has been the lack of ability to develop our talent. We are going to try and address that issue and while I started in this role too late in the off-season to make many adjustments we are reviewing all our staffs to make sure that development improve. Next up 2 with the defending World Series Champions, the Washington Nationals. Then off to Oakland for 4 games Last edited by DD Martin; 07-12-2020 at 01:26 AM.

07-12-2020, 01:26 AM	#12
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	[B]Minor League and Prospect Report The Farm Report To start the season, Baseball America has ranked the Mariner's farm system #9. The Mariner's have 4 top 100 prospects who are listed below. RF/CF Jarred Kelenic age 20 Class AA - Arkansas Travelers (Mariners #1/Overall #14) Came over last year from the Mets in the Diaz/Cano trade. In 2019 he hit 293 23-68 between Class A (mainly) and Class AA. He will open the season at AA Arkansas with an eye towards promotion by the end of July. At only 20 the team doesn't want to rush him too quickly through the system unless his performance demands it. RF Julio Rodriguez age 19 Class A+ Modesto Nuts (Mariner's #2/#22 Overall) Signed as an International FA July 2017 and split time between Class A and Class A+. Hitting 326 with 12 and 69 RBI's. He shows plus power and great range in the corner OF. ETA 2022 by Baseball America. RHSP Logan Gilbert age 22 Class AA Arkansas Travelers (#3 Mariner's/#41 Overall) Gilbert was 9-5 overall last season in 22 starts with a sparkling 2.28 ERA. Averaging over 10.3 K/9 inings and 2.1 BB/9. Gilbert has a 4-pitch mix with a plus fastball and changeup along with an above average curve and slider His ETA to Seattle by Baseball America is late 2020. (GM note I don't agree with that and believe he will be in Seattle sometime next season.) 1B Evan White L age 23 Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners#4/Overall #78) First Round pick (#17) in the 2017 draft out of the University of Kentucky. Exceptional defensive first baseman that grades out as an average power hitter, but has great patience at the plate and could be a 300 hitter/370 OBP type player. He hit 293 with 18 HR"s and 55 RBI's at AA Arkansas. Has a shot at getting a call up this season and likely to be 2021 opening day starting 1B. RHSP George Kirby Age 22 Class A+ Modesto Nuts (#5 Mariners/#110) Kirby was drafted out of Elon University in the 2019 1st round (#20) and projects as a bottom of the rotation starter. He has a plus curve and slider with an above average sinker. His stuff is explosive but he is not thought of being a top end strikeout pitcher. ETA is 2022 SS Noelvi Marti age 18 R Class A West Virginia Power (#6 Mariners/#112 overall) Signed as an International Free Agent Draft July 2018. Spent 2019 at the Mariner's rookie team hitting 309 with 9-54. He profiles as a 270 average hitter with above average power for his position. He also shows some good base running instincts with plus speed. ETA 2022 but more likely 2023 LHSP Justus Sheffield age 23 Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers (#7 Mariners/#118 overall). His ETA is 2020 and he will likely be the first SP called up with an injury to a current SP. He did well at AA but then struggled in his mid-season call up to AAA Tacoma. He has a 3 pitch mix with his money pitch being an elite slider. His control is what he needs to work on to get a call up to Seattle. ETA 2020 RF Kyle Lewis age 24 Seattle Mariners (#8Mariner's/#137 overall) Drafted out of Mercer in the 1st round (#11) in 2016. Injuries derailed a couple of years in the minor leagues but he was called up to Seattle at the end of the 2019 season. With Mitch Haniger's injury he starts the season in the big leagues as the everyday RF. RHSP Justin Dunn age 24 Class AA Arkansas Travelers (#9 Mariner's/#146) Acquired in the trade with the Met's along with Kelenic in the Diaz/Cano swap. Throws a 3 pitch mix with great raw stuff and his bread and butter pitch being his slider. Command of his pitches will determined his fate. He projects to be a mid rotation starter, but we are also looking closely to see if his makeup is better suited to a late inning reliever. ETA 2021 C Cal Raleigh S age 23 Class AA Arkansas Travelers (#10 Mariner's/#156 overall) Dead pull hitter and average defensive catcher drafted in the 3rd round 2018. He split his time between Class A Modesto and Class AA Arkansas in 2019 but really struggled with the bat at AA. He has the added plus of being a switch hitter with above average power. ETA 2021 GM Thoughts - There are a couple of guys in this group that will hopefully be helping us to get significant improvement on the 2021 team. Some might be on the team and some might be some trade parts to acquire the needed pieces to compete. We have upped our farm system budget and will continue to try and implement the scouting principles that we had put in place the last few years. One of the organizations biggest flaws has been the lack of ability to develop our talent. We are going to try and address that issue and while I started in this role too late in the off-season to make many adjustments we are reviewing all our staffs to make sure that development improve. Next up 2 with the defending World Series Champions, the Washington Nationals. Then off to Oakland for 4 games

07-13-2020, 12:13 AM	#13
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	Week #4 April 13th-19th The Mariners open up a short 2-game inter league series with the defending World Series Champions the Washington Nationals. The Nats took the wildcard route on the way to their first World Championship. This season they are off to a 9-6 start and appear to be well prepared to defend their championship. They figure to again battle the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East Championship. The Nationals currently are in 2nd in the NL East trailing the Phillies by ½ game. They boast the top batting average team in the NL hitting at a 266 clip and being 4th in runs scored. Pitching has been a mixed bag so far with the Starters compiling a 4.88 ERA (12th NL) and the bullpen showing a 3.75 ERA (NL 11th). The Nationals are loaded with stars and led by perhaps the best 1-2 SP combo in baseball with Max Scherzer and Steven Strasburg. The Mariner’s will face Strasburg in game #2 of the series. On offense they have a very good young core in LF Juan Soto, SS Trea Turner and CF Victor Robles. These youngsters are likely to lead the Nationals for at least the next 5 years. The Nationals led the all-time series 15-6 overall and also led in games played in Seattle by a 7-5 count. Pitching Match Ups Yusei Kikuchi 1-2 8.64 vs Anibal Sanchez 1-0 6.35 Kendall Graveman 2-1 1.74 vs Steven Strasburg 0-1 4.26 Before the series started in the morning on Monday the Mariners made a decision on C Kyle Higashioka. The M’s optioned Austin Nola to AAA Tacoma to make room for the power hitting backup C. The M’s do give up a bit of versatility in the move, but gain a large power bat off the bench. Seattle Mariners 11-6 (2nd place AL West) vs Washington Nationals 9-6 (2nd place NL East) Game #18 Seattle Mariners vs Washington Nationals Nationals Win, 4-2, at Seattle Washington Nationals starter Anibal Sanchez pitched a strong game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park, leading the Nationals to victory, 4-2. At 10-6, the Nationals have played well so far. Kurt Suzuki aided the Washington cause with a run-scoring single in the top of the fourth. For the game, the catcher was 1-4. Sanchez called the win "a lesson in teamwork." WP - Annibal Sanchez 2-0 3.68 LP - Yusei Kikuchi 1-3 7.30 Home Runs: Washington -H. Kendrick (3, 8th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 0 on, 0 outs) Seattle - Home Runs: J. Lamb (4, 9th Inning off A. Sanchez, 0 on, 1 out) Player of the Game - Annibal Sanchez A - 31,064 65.9% Game #19 Seattle Mariners 11-7 vs Washington Nationals 10-6 Soto Lifts Nationals to 8-1 Triumph The Washington Nationals topped the Seattle Mariners, 8-1, with youngster Juan Soto playing a key role. Soto was 4 for 4 with a home run, 2 doubles, and a walk. He scored 4 runs and drove in 3 for the Nationals in the win. Stephen Strasburg was the winning pitcher. Over 6.1 innings, he allowed 1 run on 2 hits, with no walks and 6 strikeouts. Washington, now 11-6, has played well in the early going. In the top of the first, with the game still scoreless, Soto hit a run-scoring double to put his team in the lead. "If we play like this, we can win a lot of games," Soto told the Washington Observer. WP - Steven Strasburg 1-1 3.55 LP - Kendall Graveman 2-2 3.16 Home Runs: J. Soto (2, 3rd Inning off K. Graveman, 0 on, 2 outs) A. Cabrera (5, 1st Inning off K. Graveman, 1 on, 1 out) Player of the Game - Juan Soto A - 31,267 66.3% GM Thoughts – Well that is the difference between a World Series Champion and a team that is still trying to get to the upper level. Pitching was the huge difference as both Sanchez and Strasburg showed why the Nats have such a good pitching staff. Strasburg’s 3-hitter was masterful on Tuesday night. The losses drop us to 11-8 heading to Oakland a game and a half behind them in the West. Kikuchi for the 2nd straight game hung around for 8 innings and again didn’t get the quality start giving up 4 runs, but did eat innings and gave the team a chance. Maybe this is what he is going to be and if that is the case we will have not much to show for the contract that was given him. So far in his MLB career in 36 starts he is 7-14 with a 5.70 ERA. He has been plagued by the long ball in MLB as he has given up 42 in 186 innings (given up 2.03 for every 9 innings) while in Japan he only allowed 73 in 1010.2 (.65 per 9 innings). I can’t imagine that there will be a big line (or any line) of buyers to acquire his services and his contract ($14.0 million this year and $15 million next year). His option for 2022 is not likely. Going down to Oakland 12-6 for 4 games could be something that is like last season when the Mariners started out hot and then lost 6 straight to Houston and Cleveland. On our off-day on Wednesday the team traveled to Oakland and I stayed in the office in Seattle. Tampa Bay GM Erik Neander called in regards to a trade. He was shopping power hitting/low average RF Hunter Renfro. His offer was to trade the 28-year-old Renfro to us for 19-year-old minor league SP Brayan Perez. Perez is the Mariner’s #11 rated prospect (#166 overall) with an ETA of 2023. While discussing Perez with my scouting department we honestly feel that he might be over-rated by Baseball America. The only reason why I’m even looking at this is that our young RF Kyle Lewis is struggling 179/230/469 0-9 at the plate. I am not closing the book on the deal yet and will keep the conversation going. I might see if the Rays would bite on a slightly lesser prospect. Free Agent RP and former Mariner Carson Smith signed with the Yankees today for the season and a $1.74 million deal. So far this season we are being carried by our pitching (shockingly). Our ERA on the season is 3.54 (2nd in the AL) and our SP ERA is 3.48 (3rd AL) and that is counting having Kikuchi and his near 8 ERA factored in. So far our pitchers have given up the fewest homers in the AL with 18. Unfortunately, our offensive side of the ball wasn’t as good. The teams batting average is only 237 (14th) and has a 300 OBP (13th) with slugging coming in at 383 (15th last). OBPS is only 683 which is also last in the AL. We have only hit 19 home runs (14th) but also have 18 stolen bases (1st in the AL). An interesting veteran name has come up in RF Nick Markakis on the waiver wire. Not Markakis is not young at 36 but he could be a stop gap to let Kyle Lewis go back down to Tacoma and get a few more AAA at-bats until Haniger comes back. With the team competing so well it is tempting to go off-script a bit, but at this point I think we will hold off. Seattle Mariners 11-8 @ Oakland A’s 12-6 The A’s are off to a 12-7 start and it really so far is of the diamond, but the pitching is flat out the best in the AL 2.91. The starting pitching so far is boast 3 SP with an ERA below 3 and #1 SP Sean Manaea is at 3.55. Jesus Luzardo is coming off some shoulder stiffness but should be ready for game 2 in the series. The offense is #3 in the AL and led by the Matt Boys (1B Olsen and 3B Chapman). DH Khris Davis is also back mashing for the A’s after a bit of a down season last year. The A's lead the all time series vs the Mariners by a count of 360-301. They hold a 196-137 advantage in Oakland Pitching Match Ups Taijuan Walker 2-0 1.23 vs AJ Puk 1-2 2.61 Marco Gonzales 3-1 1.78 vs Jesus Luzardo 1-2 6.75 Steven Matz 2-1 4.22 vs Sean Manaea 3-0 3.55 Yusei Kikuhi 1-3 7.30 vs Frankie Montas 2-0 2.08 Game #20 - Seattle Mariners 11=8 @ Oakland A's 12-6 Athletics Sneak By Mariners, 9-8 Oakland right fielder Stephen Piscotty picked up 3 ribbies while helping his team beat back the Seattle Mariners, 9-8. The Athletics, now 13-7, have been playing some good baseball. Tony Kemp was the walk-off hero for Oakland. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Athletics second baseman hit a dramatic run-scoring single to send the teams home. "It's great when the crowd is energized," Kemp said. WP - Liam Hendricks 1-1 3.68 LP - Taylor Guilbeau 0-1 7.11 Home Runs: A. Santander (3, 9th Inning off L. Hendriks, 0 on, 0 outs) J. Berti (2, 1st Inning off A. Puk, 0 on, 0 outs) Oakland - Home Runs: R. Laureano (4, 8th Inning off B. Brennan, 0 on, 2 outs) S. Piscotty 2 (2, 3rd Inning off T. Walker, 0 on, 0 outs; 5th Inning off J. Cotton, 1 on, 2 outs) Player of the Game - Stephen Piscotty A - 24,253 Game #21 Seattle Mariners 11-9 @ Oakland A's 13-6 Athletics Top Mariners, 5-0, Behind Luzardo Oakland starter Jesus Luzardo put a stranglehold on the Seattle offense. The left-hander had complete command of his changeup in leading the Athletics to a 5-0 win. Oakland is off to a hot start at 14-7. Luzardo, now 2-2, scattered 2 hits over 6 innings for the Athletics. "I had everything working," said Luzardo. WP - Jesus Luzardo 2-2 5.01 LP - Marco Gonzalez 3-2 2.80 Home Runs: T. Kemp (4, 5th Inning off M. Gonzales, 0 on, 1 out) M. Olson (3, 3rd Inning off M. Gonzales, 1 on, 2 outs) S. Piscotty (3, 2nd Inning off M. Gonzales, 0 on, 1 out) Player of the Game - Jesus Luzardo A - 30,798 Mid-series Trade interlude With RF Kyle Lewis continuing to struggle we decided to make a move. No we didn’t go claim RF Nick Markakis as we didn’t feel he fit into what we were trying to do long term. It’s a good thing we didn’t go in that direction as Markakis was claimed by the Washington Nationals who would have prevailed since they are in the NL. Several weeks ago when Tampa approached us about minor leaguer Brayan Perez in a deal for Hunter Renfro, we decided to do some further work in reviewing our options. We looked at the teams that were potentially interested in Perez and came upon some names that might fit and help. So with that we had our scout review several players. One of the names we came across was Yankee minor leaguer (at the moment) OF Clint Fraizer. Our scout says that he has some power, won’t considered a superstar but could be a player for us. The Yankees gave us a list of guys who would get the deal done and after some review I called Cashman back and we finalized the deal. Seattle Mariners Trade for Clint Fraizer The Mariners and the Yankees got together to complete a deal involving New York sending OF Clint Frazier to the Mariners. Going to the Yankees in return is minor league P Raul Alcantara. Game #22 Seattle Mariners 11-10 @ Oakland A's 14-6 Loss to Athletics Extends Seattle Losing Streak The Oakland Athletics handed the Seattle Mariners a loss at Oakland Coliseum. The final score was 7-2. Chad Pinder was one of the major contributors for Oakland. In addition to his 1 single and 1 home run, he scored 2 runs and drove in 4. Sean Manaea picked up the win, improving his season record to 4-0. He struck out 5 in 8 innings. The Athletics raised their record to 15-7. With Oakland leading 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Pinder came up to bat against Seattle pitcher Steven Matz. Pinder hit a changeup to left for a 3-run home run. His 2nd home run of the season put the Athletics on top, 7-0. "We'll just keep our nose to the grindstone," Pinder told the Oakland Citizen. WP - Sean Manaea 4-0 3.24 LP - Steven Matz 2-2 5.67 Home Runs: J. Lamb (5, 8th Inning off S. Manaea, 0 on, 2 outs) J. Berti (3, 7th Inning off S. Manaea, 0 on, 2 outs) Oakland - Home Runs: M. Chapman (4, 6th Inning off S. Matz, 0 on, 1 out) C. Pinder (2, 6th Inning off S. Matz, 2 on, 2 outs) Player of the Game - Chad Pinder A - 32,366 Game #23 - Seattle Mariners 11-11 @ Oakland A's 15-6 Mariners Trip Athletics, 6-5 The Oakland Athletics got a superb performance from second baseman Tony Kemp, but the Seattle Mariners still won the game, 6-5. Kemp was 1-3 with a home run and a walk. He drove in 4 runs and scored once. Yusei Kikuchi, the winner, goes to 2-3. He allowed 5 runs on 3 hits, with 5 walks and 5 strikeouts over 6.2 innings. Oakland falls to 15-8. The result might have been different, had it not been for Shed Long Jr., the Seattle second baseman. Long Jr. had a run-scoring single in the top of the seventh inning to put the Mariners ahead, 6-1. For the game, Long Jr. had 1 double and 2 singles in 5 at-bats. "It wasn't our best performance," said Long Jr., "but a win in this league is nothing to sniff at." WP - Yusei Kikuchi 2-3 7.18 LP - Frankie Montas 2-1 3.16 S - Taylor Guilbeau 4 6.14 Home Runs: T. Kemp (5, 7th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 3 on, 2 outs) M. Semien (4, 4th Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 0 on, 0 outs) Player of the Game - Tony Kemp A - 28,098 GM Comments - What a week! I hate to say that it looked obvious on paper, but that 6 game losing streak really took the wind out of our sails. Yes we rallied to win game 4 against the A's. Kikuchi tried to kick it away as Servais left him in too long. A grand slam in the 7th just about took us down but we hung on. The trade for Frazier felt needed with Kyle Lewis struggling so mightily. This move isn't so much to shore up production in the OF but to get Kyle down to Tacoma to regain his confidence. Mitch Haniger by all indications will be back in 2 weeks and then go on a rehab assignment for hopefully no more than a week to get some at-bats. Once Haniger comes back, then we will have to make a decision, but speculation is that CF Braden Bishop would be sent down. Next up - The Road Trip continues to Minnesota and Texas Last edited by DD Martin; 07-13-2020 at 12:16 AM.

07-15-2020, 12:46 AM	#14
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	Week 5 - Road Trip continues Well that was a tough week but we are still above 500 at 12-11 and everyone is still healthy. I will do a month end review at the end of April but for now it is the week of April 20th-26th and we head to Minneapolis for 4 games against the Twins, who are off to a surprisingly slow start at 9-13. Then it is off to Arlington to face the Texas Rangers 9-13 in their new home ballpark. It will be interesting to see this new park and see how it plays compared to the previous stadium. New around the league saw a couple of new players of the week announced. In the AL the honor went to Danny Santana of the Rangers. The 29-year-old switch-hitter hit 11-31 with 3 HR's and 11 RBI's as the Ranger's went 5-2 on the week. On the season Santana is hit 296 with 4-15 power numbers. In the NL, Phillie superstar slugger Bryce Harper took the honors with a 414 batting average. Going 12-29, Harper hit 5 HR's and drove in 9 RBI's. On the season Harper is hitting 286 with 8 homers, 22 RBI's and 17 runs scored. The Phillies went 3-4 last week and are 13-10 on the season. In a bit of sad news, the injury bug has hit another SP and a frequent visitor to the IL in the past. Young Dodger LHRP Julio Urias sustained damage to his elbow ligament and will be lost for the season. He will undergo surgery this week and will hopefully be ready for spring training next season. On the season this year, Urias started 3 games and hadn't registered a decision with his 3.14 ERA. The Dodgers are blistering the NL West with a 15-7 record and while his absense will hurt, the Dodgers have lots of reinforcements and will likely turn to Ross Striping or youngster Dustin May. Phillie's left-hander Zach Wheeler threw the seasons first no-hitter on Saturday against the Miami Marlins. Wheeler gave up 2 walks and struck out 5 in the 7-0 victory. On the season Wheeler is 3-1 with a 2.59 ERA Finally, Indians SS Francisco Lindor extended his hitting streak to 20 games on Sunday with 2 hits. On the season Lindor is hitting 365 and is 3rd in the AL batting race. The Indians currently have MLB's best record starting the season 18-5. Seattle Mariners 12-11 tied for 2nd in AL West 3 games behind Oakland @ Minnesota Twins 9-13 3rd in the AL Central 8.5 games behind Cleveland. Season Series 2-1 Mariners All-Time record 234-223 in favor of Seattle. Twins hold the advantage in Minnesota by a 121-107 count. Pitching Matchups Kendall Graveman 2-2 3.16 vs Jake Odorizzi 0-4 9.50 Taijuan Walker 2-0 2.81 vs Randy Dobnak 0-4 22.68 Marco Gonzales 3-2 2.80 vs Homer Bailey 1-2 3.16 Steven Matz 2-2 5.67 vs Juan Berrios 1-2 4.55 So what is ailing the Twins so far this season. Well looking at the ERA's of the SP in game 1 and 2 of this series will go a long way to explaining things. The starting rotation ERA for the Twins on the season is a ghastly 6.47 (14th in the AL), but the bullpen is middle of the road at 4.23 (8th). The Twins offense is right next to the Mariners in struggling to be consistent and putting up runs. The Twins rank 14th in runs scored at only 79. Nelson Cruz is the only starter that is having a standout start to the year hitting 301 with a whopping 11 home runs and 22 RBI's. The rest of the lineup is not hitting so well. This 4-game set is a big early season series for both teams. Can the Mariner's take advantage of the early season woes and injuries for the Twins, or was what we saw last week the real Seattle Mariner's. Game #24 - Seattle Mariners 12-11 vs Minnesota Twins 9-13 Mariners Lose to Twins, 7-2 The Minnesota Twins topped the Seattle Mariners, 7-2, in American League action at Target Field. The standout performance belonged to Minnesota pitcher and Breese, Illinois, native Jake Odorizzi. The loss drops the Mariners to 12-12. In the bottom of the first, Nelson Cruz hit a 2-run home run. The 12th home run of the season for the Minnesota designated hitter put the Twins on top, 2-0. "Feels good to get the job done," Cruz said after the game. WP - Jake Odorizzi 1-4 6.93 LP - Kendall Graveman 2-3 3.94 Home Runs: B. Buxton (2, 7th Inning off K. Graveman, 0 on, 1 out) N. Cruz (12, 1st Inning off K. Graveman, 1 on, 1 out) Player of the Game - Jake Ororizzi A - 25,742 Uh-Oh Chongo (bonus pts if anyone knows what that reference is from Game #25 - Seattle Mariners 12-12 @ Minnesota Twins 10-13 Mariners Upend Twins, 5-2 The Seattle Mariners grabbed a win, 5-2, over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Seattle catcher Tom Murphy went 2 for 3 with a home run and a walk, while adding 2 RBI and scoring once. Taijuan Walker got the win, improving to 3-0. He worked 6 innings, giving up 1 run on 8 hits, while striking out 4 and walking 2. The Twins fall to 10-14 and continue their uneven start to the 2020 season. Seattle grabbed the momentum in the top of the fifth, when Murphy hit a 2-run home run. His 6th home run of the season put the Mariners out in front, 3-1. "We put it together today and came out with the win," Murphy said in postgame remarks. "That's the main thing and it was a BIG WIN." WP - Taijuan Walker 3-0 2.56 LP - Randy Dobnak 0-5 15.80 S - Taylor Guilbeau 5 5.40 Home Runs: T. Murphy (6, 5th Inning off R. Dobnak, 1 on, 0 outs) Player of the Game - Tom Murphy A - 18,770 CF Mallex Smith was injured running the bases and his diagnosis is pending. Game #26 - Seattle Mariners 13-12 @ Minnesota Twins 10-14 Mariners Lose to Twins, 8-2 The home crowd had a good time watching the Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins get after it. Minnesota Twins starter Homer Bailey turned in an exceptional performance against the Seattle Mariners at Target Field, resulting in a Minnesota win, 8-2. The Mariners drop to 13-13 and continue their mediocre start to the 2020 season. Early in the game, designated hitter Nelson Cruz had a 2-run home run for Minnesota. It was his 13th home run of the season and put the Twins on top, 2-0. "If you pitch well, you give yourself some opportunities," said Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli. WP - Homer Bailey 2-2 3.03 LP - Marco Gonzales 3-3 3.38 S - Tyler Duffey 1 0.00 Home Runs: N. Cruz (13, 1st Inning off M. Gonzales, 1 on, 1 out) Player of the Game - Homer Bailey A - 22,384 Before the game it was announced that Mallex Smith would miss 6 weeks with a grade 2 sprained ankle. So we reach down to Tacoma to get OF Jake Fraley 298/370/838 at AAA Tacoma with 2 homers and 8 RBI's for the 6-8 Rainiers. He will platoon with Braden Bishop in CF as I want to see what Fraley can do but Servais likes Bishop. I won the discussion and Scott didn't seem too pleased. Game #27 - Seattle Mariners 13-13 @ Minnesota Twins 11-14 Mariners Bridle Twins, 4-2 The Seattle Mariners got a strong performance from pitcher Steven Matz, who stymied the Minnesota offense en route to a win, 4-2, at Target Field. The Twins fall to 11-15 and continue their lackluster start in 2020. The Mariners got a lift from second baseman Shed Long Jr. who had a run-scoring double in the top of the third inning off Jose Berrios. It was his 7th double of the season and put Seattle in front, 1-0. "We did enough to win," said Matz. With the win the Mariner's climb back up to 1 game over 500 at 14-13. The M's have not had a below 500 record yet this season. WP - Steven Matz 3-2 4.86 LP - Juan Berrios 1-3 4..42 S - Taylor Guilbeau 6 5.79 Home Runs: J. Polanco (1, 9th Inning off T. Guilbeau, 0 on, 0 outs) Player of the Game - Steven Matz A - 27,817 GM Comments - So we make Jake Odrizzi look like an all-star getting his first win and then win game #2 of the series against Dodnak who in the loss lowered his ERA by almost 8 full runs. I wish I knew why Jerry Dipoto decided not to re-sign Nelson Cruz. He continues to bash even at the ripe old age of 39 hitting 2 more homer and adding 5 RBI's in the series. His 295 13-27 would look awfully nice in our lineup. Jekyll and Hyde SP Steven Matz had a good outing this time in picking up his 3rd win of the season. I am starting to understand why some Met's fans would be slowly driven crazy but this guy. He has really good stuff, but is a 50/50 pitcher on whether he brings it or not. On the injury front 3B Kyle Seager has a strained groin and is day-day for 3-4 weeks. The trainer says it should only effect him minimally so we will keep him in the lineup, but I'm pretty sure this will end with a trip to the IL. Trade - After the game the Twins made a trade shipping minor league C Willians Astudillo (28) to Tampa Bay for a couple of players. LHP colin Poche (26) and minor league 1B Nate Lowe come to Minnesota. I understand the move for the Twins who need some stable pitching and Poche has some value in the bullpen. I am not sure I understand the move from the Rays side of things but oh well that's baseball. We will move onto Arlington Texas where the 10-14 Rangers await our arrival. Seattle Mariners 14-13 3rd place AL West 2.5 GB @ Texas Rangers 10-14 5th Place AL West 5.5 GB Season Series 3-1 Mariners All-Time Series 344-334 Rangers So what's going on with the Rangers? Well they are scoring runs at a pretty good clip (4th in the AL) but aren't scoring them for staff ace Cory Kluber who is 1-3 1.93 ERA. Top 4 in their order though is struggling to start the season as SS Elvis Andrus 209, DH Shin-Soo Choo 178, LF Willie Calhoun 239 and cleanup hitter RF Joey Gallo 177. That group has hit 12 homers and driven in 46 though. Besides Kluber on the hill, the Rangers have veteran Lance Lynn 1-2 5.21, lefty Mike Minor 2-1 2.76, Jordan Lyles 2-1 4.33 and struggling right-hander Kyle Gibson 1-3 8.18. Don't worry Kyle I'm sure we can help you with your ERA. The Rangers have no key injuries to any main line players. Pitching Match Ups Yusei Kikuchi 2-3 7.18 vs Cory Kluber 1-3 1.93 Kendall Graveman 2-3 3.94 vs Mike Minor 2-1 2.76 Taijuan Walker 3-0 2.56 vs Lance Lynn 1-2 5.21 Game #28 Seattle Mariners 14-13 @ Texas Rangers 10-14 Mariners Stumble, Lose to Rangers 8-4 Texas right fielder Joey Gallo was a significant contributor in his team's 8-4 triumph over the Seattle Mariners. He went 2-4 with 2 home runs. He drove in 3 runs and scored twice for Texas. The loss makes Seattle 14-14. Nick Solak delivered for Texas in the bottom of the second. His 2-run home run off Seattle pitcher Yusei Kikuchi put Texas in front, 2-1. "We took advantage of our opportunities," Solak told the Texas Today. "It's as simple as that." WP - Cory Kluber 2-3 2.31 LP - Yusei Kikuchi 2-4 8.47 Home Runs: B. Bishop (2, 5th Inning off C. Kluber, 0 on, 0 outs) Texas - Home Runs: J. Gallo 2 (7, 3rd Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 1 on, 2 outs; 7th Inning off Y. Hirano, 0 on, 1 out) N. Solak (3, 2nd Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 1 on, 1 out) Player of the Game - Joey Gallo A - 28,572 After the game I called up Scott as I was just furious with the performance of Kukichi (again). He bested his usual 2 homers per 9 as he gave up 2 in just 2 2/3 innings. Something has got to give with this guy and I will discuss with my team up here over the next 24 hours. I was also informed from Team Trainer Torgerson that RP Jharel Cotton has a biceps strain (moderate) so we put him on the IL even though our trainer said he could pitch through it. We recall LHP Jack Patterson to join the club from Tacoma. Game #29 - Seattle Mariners 14-14 @ Texas Rangers 11-14 Rangers Best Mariners in Pitching Duel 2-1 Texas pitcher Lance Lynn did his part in helping his team beat the Seattle Mariners, 2-1. The right-hander kept opposing batters in check throughout the game. Joe Barlow earned the save for Texas, his 1st of the year. The loss has the Mariners at 14-15. The Texas win was a team effort. It included major contributions from, among others, Joey Gallo. In the bottom of the seventh, the Texas right fielder came to bat and hit a 2-run home run. It staked his team to a 2-1 lead. "We were in it," said Seattle manager Scott Servais. "We just didn't score enough runs." WP - Lance Lynn 2-2 4.14 LP - Kendall Graveman 2-4 3.60 S - Joe Barlow 1 3.86 Home Runs: J. Gallo (8, 7th Inning off K. Graveman, 1 on, 1 out) Player of the Game - Lance Lynn (I'd have given it to Gallo honestly) A - 31,674 Game #30 - Seattle Mariners 14-15 @ Texas Rangers 12-14 Choo Homers Twice in 15-7 Rangers Win The home crowd had a good time watching the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers get after it. The Texas Rangers beat the Seattle Mariners by a score of 15-7. designated hitter Shin-Soo Choo deserved the lion's share of the credit. Choo slugged 2 home runs. He scored 4 runs and drove in 3 for the Rangers. The win has Texas at 13-14. Todd Frazier, who is tied for 8th in the AL with a .404 on-base percentage, aided the Texas cause with a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third. For the game, the third baseman was 2 for 4 with a double. He scored 2 times and drove in 3. Choo told a Texas Today reporter that he was "satisfied" with the win. WP - Cody Allen 1-0 8.31 LP - Wei-Yin Chen 0-1 4.76 Home Runs: D. Vogelbach (3, 1st Inning off M. Minor, 2 on, 1 out) Texas - Home Runs: J. Gallo (9, 4th Inning off W. Chen, 2 on, 0 outs) S. Choo 2 (5, 1st Inning off T. Walker, 0 on, 1 out; 8th Inning off Y. Ramirez, 1 on, 1 out) Player of the Game - Shin-Soo Choo A - 29,311 Comments - What is there to say. We are playing like the team everyone thought we would be. We even made our former Mariner Shin-Soo Chin look good in that last game and he has struggled over the last several years. Taijuan Walker had his first clunker of a game in that last one but he didn't get the loss. We've gone below 500 now on the season by getting swept by the Rangers. We are sitting in a virtual tie for last in the AL West with the Astros(?). So many holes on this team, and we will really have to make some big moves in the off-season if we want to get this train on the right track. Right now I'm figuring out what to do with Kikuchi and thankfully we have an off-day on Monday. The pitching staff needs the rest. Oh and 1 more think, JP Crawford exited the game with a broken thumb while sliding into 2nd base on a ground out. He will be out for 6 weeks. Crawford was hitting a lack-luster 208/290/540 0-4. He was doing a real solid job defensively though without committing an error in 29 games played. Next - A return to home to face an improved Angels team

07-15-2020, 09:41 PM	#15
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	End of April Starts a New Home Stand With the end of the month looming we have 3 games before the end of the month and 6 total for the week. The LA Angels (still hard for me to call them that after all these years) are 15-13 and in 2nd place in the AL West. Then comes 4 games Thursday-Sunday against the defending AL Champions, the Houston Astros who are hanging with us in the basement at 13-15. Moves - We put SS JP Crawford on the IL and look to Tacoma for someone to help. We could bring back utility man Dylan Moore, who is a super utility sort of guys but doesn't hit much. Or option B bring up off season minor league signee Zack Cozart who while 34, plays better defense and has a better bat. We opted for option B. I signed Cozart because he was available in the off-season and we really have a glaring, some would call it alarming lack of middle infield talent especially at SS. His minor league contract now reverts to $1 million salary but we have the room and he is also insurance at 3B with Seager nursing that strained groin. AL Player of the Week - Boston DH JD Martinez who hit 484 (15 for 31) with 3 homers and 13 RBI's. Can't really complain about that choice. Martinez's week helped push his early season numbers up to 287 with 9 homers and 26 RBI's. Boston went 4-3 on the week but on the season is a disastrous (for Boston) 13-17 and limping along in 4th in the AL East. NL Player of the Week - Nationals barely over the drinking age Juan Soto won the NL Honors. Hitting 429 (12 for 28) with 2 homers and 8 RBI's leading Washington to a 5-1 week. The Nationals are 18-9 and led the NL East. With our 3-10 record the last 2 weeks we have fallen from #6 in the power rankings down to #21. On Monday this week, looking for some infield depth we swung a very minor trade with the Blue Jays. Trade - Mariners and Blue Jays pull off a minor league deal The Toronto Blue Jays trade minor leaguers SS Ruben Tejada (30), 3B Andy Burns (29) and 2B Santiago Espinal (25) to the Seattle Mariners for minor league RP Wyatt Mills (25) and C/1B David Sheaffer (24). What we got was minor league depth specifically at AAA as all 3 players went to Tacoma. What we gave up was not much in the grand scheme although Wyatt Mills isn't a bad pitcher. He was at AA Arkansas and wasn't really on our radar despite solid numbers there this season. Sheaffer was a throw in to net Tejada as more backup depth. More injury news and I was expecting this for another player, but it appears RP Austin Adams was recovering ahead of schedule his torn ACL, but he suffered a setback in rehab and will now be out another 8 weeks. At least it wasn't Haniger. LA Angels of Anaheim (15-13 2nd in AL West 2.5 GB) vs Seattle Mariners (14-16 4th AL West 4.5 GB) The Angels are 15-13 so far on the season and are in 2nd place in the AL West behind the Oakland A's by 3 games. They are led by the best player in baseball, CF Mike Trout who is hitting 311 on the season with 9 homers and 26 RBI's. Also good news for the Angels is the pitching return of 2-way player Shohei Ohtani. On the mound Ohtani is 3-2 in 7 starts with a sterling 2.13 ERA proving that not all Japanese SP are as bad as Kikuchi. With the bat he's hitting a respectable 262 with 2 homers and 7 RBI's. Also hitting well for the Angels is rookie 1B Jared Walsh who is hitting 324 with 6-16 power numbers. Besides Ohtani on the mound, SP Andrew Heaney is doing well and makes a solid 1-2 combo with Ohtani. Heaney has a 3.03 ERA to go with a 2-1 record in 6 starts. On the IL for the Angels is superstar 3B Anthony Rendon who signed in the off-season with an early season oblique strain. Also of note is future HOF Albert Pujols who is with a strained hamstring. All-time Record has the Angels with a strong 364-303 lead overall and also leading in Seattle 177-158 Pitching Match Ups for this 2-game series Marco Gonzales 3-3 3.38 vs Andrew Heaney 2-1 3.03 Steven Matz 3-2 4.86 vs Dylan Bundy 3-2 5.64 Game #31 - Seattle Mariners (14-16) vs LA Angels (15-13) Mariners Win 1-0 Walk-Off in 12th Seattle Mariners starter Marco Gonzales turned in an exceptional performance against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park, resulting in a Seattle win, 1-0. Dan Altavilla, now 1-0, was credited with the win. He allowed no runs on 1 hit, while striking out 2 and walking 1. The win has Seattle at 15-16. Seattle won the game in the bottom of the 12th inning. With one out and Hansel Robles on the mound for Los Angeles, right fielder Anthony Santander hit a dramatic solo home run, bringing Mariners fans to their feet. "We came out on the wrong end of this one," said Los Angeles skipper Joe Maddon. WP - Dan Altavilla 1-0 0.87 LP - Hansel Robles 0-3 8.68 Home Runs: A. Santander (4, 12th Inning off H. Robles, 0 on, 1 out) Player of the Game - Marco Gonzales 8 innings 3 hits 4 walks 3 k's 0 runs A - 30,893 65.6% Game #32 - Seattle Mariners 15-16 vs LA Angels 15-14 Angels Prevail, 2-0, Over Seattle and split short 2-game series The Los Angeles Angels got a magnificent effort from pitcher Patrick Sandoval, who kept Seattle hitters in check en route to a 2-0 Angels win at T-Mobile Park. Hansel Robles closed it out for his 2nd save. Seattle falls to 15-17. In the top of the sixth, Los Angeles designated hitter Justin Upton took Seattle pitcher Steven Matz deep. His solo home run made the score 1-0, Angels. For the game, Upton hit 2 home runs. "I had everything working," said Sandoval. WP - Patrick Sandoval 2-2 4.83 LP - Steven Matz 3-3 4.28 S - Hansel Robles 2 7.36 Home Runs: J. Upton 2 (8, 6th Inning off S. Matz, 0 on, 1 out; 8th Inning off D. Altavilla, 0 on, 1 out) Player of the Game - Patrick Sandoval (I would have choose Upton with his 2 solo homers) A - 31,036 65.9% GM Thoughts - Angels changed it up on us in that 2nd game starting an opener in Jacob Barnes before winning pitcher Patrick Sandoval come on in the 2nd. Another great pitchers duel but we only scored 1 run in 21 innings in this series and only had a total of 9 hits. Just no offense to speak of at all. Mitch Haniger is off the IL and despite the desperate need for offense in Seattle we have sent him to Tacoma to get some swings in down there first. Going back down to Oakland and then Houston next week might only give him the 4 games this weekend to get ready. We will see how he does. With the injuries mounting up, but not a lot to pick from we signed a bunch of young guys to fill in on the lower minors rosters. You never know we might get lucky. We signed a catcher, 2 middle infielders and 2 outfielders as well. All minor league deals with just the promise of "opportunity". The top minor league target is now being offered a $5000 bonus to sign as Detroit has gotten involved with him (CF Frankie Jezioro). Houston is coming to town for a 4 game series, the first before the end of the month. Seattle Mariners 15-17 4th in AL West vs Houston Astros 13-17 5th in the AL West The Astros have lost 4 straight and 7 of their last 8 to fall to the bottom of the AL West. Not a spot the Astro's have seen much since the early part of the 2010's with the infamous tanking and stockpiling of top draft picks strategy. It worked as they have been to several World Series and won one. The Astros are led by a veteran pitching staff with Justin Verlander and Zack Grienke leading the way along with Lance McCullers Jr. Verlander missed most of spring training and then in his last outing he only last an 1.1 innings before coming out. Right now his diagnosis is pending so it is unsure if he will pitch in this series. Grienke (3-2) while not injured hasn't been particularly sharp this season with an ERA near 6. Seldon heard of SP Jose Urquidy has been the best starter so far this season with a 1-1 record and 3.82 ERA The offense is led by CF George Springer (298 5-18) and rookie 1B Yordan Alvarez (272 5-20) Besides the injury issues with Verlander, the Astros are missing SP Rogelio Armentreos and Brad Peacock. SP Francis Martes is on the restricted list for the season. All-time Series - Astros lead the series 88-54 and the Astros have owned the Mariners at T-Mobile (formerly Safeco Field) Park 46-22 Pitching Match Up for game 1 of the series Yusei Kikuchi 2-4 8.47 vs Zack Grienke 3-2 5.86 Game #33 - Seattle Mariners 15-17 vs Houston Astros 13-17 Astros Upend Mariners, 6-2 The Houston Astros picked up a win at T-Mobile Park, knocking off the Seattle Mariners, 6-2. Starting pitcher Zack Greinke was a big reason why. Seattle drops to 15-18. Houston relied on the hitting of George Springer to pick up the win. The center fielder clubbed a 2-run home run in the top of the third inning to put the Astros on top, 3-0. For the game, Springer had 1 home run and 1 single in 5 at-bats. "We'll kick back tonight, then get set for the next one," Springer said. WP - Zack Grienke 4-2 5.23 LP - Yusei Kikuchi 2-5 9.08 Home Runs: G. Springer (6, 3rd Inning off Y. Kikuchi, 1 on, 1 out). Player of the Game - Zack Grienke A - 33,361 70.8% End of month GM Thoughts - Season record 15-18 and tied for last, not a huge surprise other than the team we are tied with (Astro's). I went against my better judgement and gave Kikuchi another start, that was a huge mistake. I'll try to trade him but nobody will want that contract without giving one up of equal or worse value. He will likely end up in Tacoma. We will give SP Justus Shefield the first shot at replacing him. Attached Images Last edited by DD Martin; 07-15-2020 at 09:42 PM.

07-16-2020, 04:01 AM	#16
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	End of April 2020 Numbers and Statistics 3B Kyle Seager has been hobbled a bit with the bat since he strained his groin. It hasn't effected his defense though. He has 2 weeks left with this groin issue and we are debating sitting him down or letting him play through it. 2B Shed Long Jr has had a solid start to the season with the 297 average and 363 OBP. Manager Servais has had him hitting 3rd against right handers and 2nd against lefty. With his bat control and patience I prefer him in the #2 slot. LF/RF Anthony Santander has hit a steady 282 with 4 homers and 14 RBI's. I am happy with his early season play so far Really hard to pick a Hitter of the Month for April as only Mallex Smith (injured) and reserve Dee Gordon are hitting over 300. C Tom Murphy leads the team with 6 homers, 1B Jake Lamb has 5 homers and a team high 20 RBI's. But I'm going to go with 2B Shed Long Jr. and his 297/363/786 with 1 homer, 12 RBI's and a team leading 17 runs scored. Also has swiped 3 bags so far too. On the pitching side of the diamond the season started out hot but cooled a bit at the end of the month. SP Marco Gonzales is 3-3 2.81 ERA in 7 starts and has pitched well and has 5 quality starts. His WHIP is below 1.00 at 0.96 and he has only walked 7 while striking out 34 in 48 innings. SP Taijuan Walker has pitched better than expected with a 3-0 record and a 3.67 ERA in 6 starts with 4 being quality starts. A real surprise who hopefully will sustain his form as the season winds along. Early candidate for Comeback Player of the Year. SP Kendall Graveman has been another solid low cost pickup who has surprised. His record is only 2-4, but he has a solid 3.60 ERA and has also tossed 4 quality starts in his 6 starts. CL Taylor Guilbeau has been a bit of an adventure but seems to have settle down a bit lately. He's 0-1 with 6 saves and a higher than desired 5.06 ERA for a closer. He has saved 6 out of 7 games. Mariner Pitcher of the Month - Goes to Marco Gonzales. He has really stood strong in the top spot in the rotation. For the American League Awards Hitter of the Month honors go to Cleveland Indians 3B Jose Ramirez who batted 378 with 6 home runs and 21 RBI's with 25 runs scored. Cleveland has sprinted out to a blistering 24-9 record and has a 9 game lead in the AL Central. Pitcher of the Month goes to Boston Red Sox veteran SP Nathan Eovaldi. Sort of a surprise winner as the Red Sox struggled to a 15-18 record. Eovaldi went 4-2 for April with a 1.67 ERA and struck out 44 in 43 innings and just didn't receive great run support in this 2 losses. Rookie of the Month goes to the Oakland A's 22-year-old SP Jesus Luzardo who went 4-1 in is 5 starts striking out 31 and compiling a 2.45 ERA. The A's lead the AL West with a 20-13 record. Over in the National League for Month Award Winners Hitter of the Month goes to LA Dodger 1B/CF Cody Bellinger. Bellinger hit 367 with 10 home runs and 27 RBI's along with 26 runs scored. The Dodgers currently are 18-12 and 2nd in the NL West trailing the red hot Arizona Diamond Backs. Pitcher of the Month goes to New York Mets Ace Jacob DeGrom who was 3-0 in his 6 starts with a Bob Gibsonesque 0.43 ERA. With that sort of ERA it is hard to believe he didn't get 5 or 6 wins. The Mets are off to a good 19-12 start but are currently 3rd in the rugged NL East behind Atlanta and Washington. Rookie of the Month goes to San Francisco Giants RP Logan Webb who went 2-0 with 1 save and a 0.00 ERA in 9.1 innings. Despite Webb's efforts the Giants are in the NL West cellar at 11-20 on the season. Attached Images

07-23-2020, 11:43 PM	#17
DD Martin All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seattle area Posts: 994	The Mariner's were off to an okay start, but I left town and the OOTP Mariners game is not on my laptop. So this dynasty will go on hiatus until Labor Day when I return home.

07-23-2020, 11:44 PM	#18
cardinalfan3000 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 287	F