The PED-related suspension of Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano created a gaping hole on the club’s roster. Fortunately, the Mariners had Dee Gordon available. At the time of Cano’s suspension, Gordon was playing center field. Management simply moved the 30-year-old to the position where he’s won a Gold Glove and earned two All-Star appearances. Problem solved, for now. The issue that will eventually confront the Mariners is what to do with Cano when he returns in mid-August. Recently, general manager Jerry Dipoto suggested to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN the…

All day Tuesday we waited for the other shoe to drop after the Seattle Mariners appeared to select talent in Rounds 2 and 3 that would net them bonus pool savings to splurge a bit on a prospect sometimes in Rounds 4-10. Day 2 of the MLB Draft ended without such a pick popping for Seattle. The club’s first selection of Day 3 came and went without much fanfare, except, ‘hey, local kid, Seattle U commit, good for him, awesome.’ But there’s so much more to right-hander Damon Casetta-Stubbs and…

This time a year ago, the notion of the Seattle Mariners reaching the postseason was a far-fetched dream. A devastating series of injuries, particularly to their starting rotation, had derailed a once-promising 2017 season. Twelve months later at Memorial Day, the Mariners are sporting a winning record and challenging for first place. Can Seattle build upon their early success and earn an elusive postseason berth? In our Memorial Day Report Series, we’ll discuss that and more. Our first segment covered the Mariners’ run production. We followed up with a conversation…

This time a year ago, the notion of the Seattle Mariners reaching the postseason was a far-fetched dream. A devastating series of injuries, particularly to their starting rotation, had derailed a once-promising 2017 season. Twelve months later at Memorial Day, the Mariners are sporting a winning record and challenging for first place. Can Seattle build upon their early success and earn an elusive postseason berth? In our Memorial Day Report Series, we’ll discuss that and more. So far, we’ve covered Seattle’s run production. Now, let’s discuss the pitching staff. Rotation…

This time a year ago, the notion of the Seattle Mariners reaching the postseason was a far-fetched dream. A devastating series of injuries, particularly to their starting rotation, had derailed a once-promising 2017 season. Twelve months later at Memorial Day, the Mariners are sporting a winning record and challenging for first place. Can Seattle build upon their early success and earn an elusive postseason berth? In our Memorial Day Report Series, we’ll discuss that and more. Let’s first focus our attention on the Mariners’ offense beginning with a visual comparison…

Major league baseball is teeming with young stars. We’ve seen Mike Trout and Bryce Harper earn hardware by age-20. Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor, and Manny Machado were superstars before turning 24. Then there’s 27-year-old Mitch Haniger of the Seattle Mariners, a “late bloomer.” Haniger’s journey to the heart of Seattle’s lineup required perseverance and good fortune. Initially a 2012 first round draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers, he was moved to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a July 2014 deal for veteran Gerardo Parra. At the time, Haniger was playing at…

Last weekend, Khris Davis of the Oakland Athletics hit three home runs against the Seattle Mariners. Naturally, Mariners Twitter began referring to Davis as a “Mariner Killer.” That’s understandable considering Davis has 17 homers against Seattle since joining Oakland in 2016. Believe it or not, other active players have more bombs than Davis against Seattle. One of them hit home run number-19 against them last night— George Springer of the Houston Astros. Once again, the term “Mariner Killer” began showing up in the Twitter-verse and left me wondering. Who are the…