And So It Begins...

[cezero]

Nate Karns getting roughed up in the first inning against Oakland right now. Smith was a butterfingers in right which didn't help.

 

[NWinAZ]

reg Johns ‏@GregJohnsMLB 20m20 minutes ago


Servais confirms that plan is for Taijuan Walker to open as No. 4 starter, which lines him up for home opener on April 8.

 

[NWinAZ]

Greg Johns ‏@GregJohnsMLB 2m2 minutes ago


There's home run No. 3 for Cano, a full-count blast to dead CF. That's his sixth this spring and puts Mariners up 12-7 in 8th on Cubs.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Nate Karns getting roughed up in the first inning against Oakland right now. Smith was a butterfingers in right which didn't help.

It's just spring training but kind of a bummer Paxton/Karns are struggling with a rotation spot on the line. Obviously would have been nice for one of them to seize that spot.

 

[NWinAZ]

It's just spring training but kind of a bummer Paxton/Karns are struggling with a rotation spot on the line. Obviously would have been nice for one of them to seize that spot.

Or to have added a needed quality vet to the mix. Of course young SP's never let you down...oh no, never.

 

[NWinAZ]

Mariners Talking To Padres About Righty Relievers

By Mark Polishuk | March 27, 2016 at 10:11pm CDT

The Mariners have talked to the Padres about acquiring a right-handed reliever, with Nick Vincent, Kevin Quackenbush and Jon Edwards all being mentioned in discussions, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports. The M’s are looking to add some depth to a pen that has been thinned out by injuries to Charlie Furbush, Evan Scribner and Ryan Cook, while the Padres have a bit of a surplus in their own relief corps.

As A.J. Cassavell of MLB.com notes, Fernando Rodney, Carlos Villanueva and Brandon Maurer are locked into spots in San Diego’s bullpen, leaving Vincent, Quackenbush and Edwards and others vying for the three open spots. Drew Pomeranz is a key figure in this race since he’ll make the roster as either a starter or a reliever, so the number of available bullpen spots could shrink if Pomeranz doesn’t make the rotation.

Padres manager Andy Green noted early in camp that Vincent and Quackenbush were favorites to win jobs, which makes sense given how impressive both righties have been during their time in San Diego. Vincent has a 2.63 ERA, 9.6 K/9 and 4.13 K/BB rate over 150 2/3 relief innings since 2012, while Quackenbush has a 3.28 ERA, 9.1 K/9 and 3.00 K/BB rate over 112 1/2 career innings.

Edwards has the least MLB experience of the three though he has the longest pro career, having been picked by the Cardinals as an outfielder in the 14th round of the 2006 draft. He converted to pitching in 2011 and has consistently missed bats and struggled with his control at both the minor and Major League levels. Edwards has a 4.32 ERA, 11.2 K/9 and 7.6 BB/9 over 25 big league innings.

Vincent is the only one of the trio who is out of options and his numbers did dip a bit last season (lower K/9, higher walk rate, 3.90 SIERA and 4.26 xFIP that belied his 2.53 ERA), so it’s possible San Diego could be exploring its options even though on paper, Vincent is the most established of the three. Quackenbush has been mentioned as a possible closer of the future for the Padres, especially when Craig Kimbrel was dealt, though Rodney’s acquisition would seem to imply that “the Duck” will remain in a setup role for now.

As Dutton notes, the Mariners are planning to use a seven-man bullpen, though there’s a lot of uncertainty about who those seven pitchers will be in the wake of the injuries. Steve Cishek, Joaquin Benoit, Joel Peralta and Tony Zych all have a grasp on right-handed roles with Mike Montgomery and Vidal Nuno serving as the two southpaws. If a new righty reliever is added, the M’s would send Donn Roach, Mayckol Guaipe and Blake Parker to Triple-A.

 

[Anointed One]

I'd like Quackenbush

 

[NWinAZ]

I'd like Quackenbush

my only choice as well

 

[NWinAZ]

Mariners Talking To Padres About Righty Relievers

By Mark Polishuk | March 27, 2016 at 10:11pm CDT

The Mariners have talked to the Padres about acquiring a right-handed reliever, with Nick Vincent, Kevin Quackenbush and Jon Edwards all being mentioned in discussions, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports. The M’s are looking to add some depth to a pen that has been thinned out by injuries to Charlie Furbush, Evan Scribner and Ryan Cook, while the Padres have a bit of a surplus in their own relief corps.

As A.J. Cassavell of MLB.com notes, Fernando Rodney, Carlos Villanueva and Brandon Maurer are locked into spots in San Diego’s bullpen, leaving Vincent, Quackenbush and Edwards and others vying for the three open spots. Drew Pomeranz is a key figure in this race since he’ll make the roster as either a starter or a reliever, so the number of available bullpen spots could shrink if Pomeranz doesn’t make the rotation.

Padres manager Andy Green noted early in camp that Vincent and Quackenbush were favorites to win jobs, which makes sense given how impressive both righties have been during their time in San Diego. Vincent has a 2.63 ERA, 9.6 K/9 and 4.13 K/BB rate over 150 2/3 relief innings since 2012, while Quackenbush has a 3.28 ERA, 9.1 K/9 and 3.00 K/BB rate over 112 1/2 career innings.

Edwards has the least MLB experience of the three though he has the longest pro career, having been picked by the Cardinals as an outfielder in the 14th round of the 2006 draft. He converted to pitching in 2011 and has consistently missed bats and struggled with his control at both the minor and Major League levels. Edwards has a 4.32 ERA, 11.2 K/9 and 7.6 BB/9 over 25 big league innings.

Vincent is the only one of the trio who is out of options and his numbers did dip a bit last season (lower K/9, higher walk rate, 3.90 SIERA and 4.26 xFIP that belied his 2.53 ERA), so it’s possible San Diego could be exploring its options even though on paper, Vincent is the most established of the three. Quackenbush has been mentioned as a possible closer of the future for the Padres, especially when Craig Kimbrel was dealt, though Rodney’s acquisition would seem to imply that “the Duck” will remain in a setup role for now.

As Dutton notes, the Mariners are planning to use a seven-man bullpen, though there’s a lot of uncertainty about who those seven pitchers will be in the wake of the injuries. Steve Cishek, Joaquin Benoit, Joel Peralta and Tony Zych all have a grasp on right-handed roles with Mike Montgomery and Vidal Nuno serving as the two southpaws. If a new righty reliever is added, the M’s would send Donn Roach, Mayckol Guaipe and Blake Parker to Triple-A.

Also, could this be a deal including Montero?

 

[Anointed One]

Also, could this be a deal including Montero?

That was my first thought when you posted that...

 

[NWinAZ]

 

[Podunkparte]

Probably flew under the radar, but Seth Smith had a ridiculous Spring. He was 19 for 34 for a .559 average.

I liked him quite a bit as a hitter last season, so let's hope he stays consistent with a few hot streaks this year.

 

[NWinAZ]

Probably flew under the radar, but Seth Smith had a ridiculous Spring. He was 19 for 34 for a .559 average.

I liked him quite a bit as a hitter last season, so let's hope he stays consistent with a few hot streaks this year.

Don't overthink any spring training numbers, including pitching stats. "Working on stuff," warm Arizona air, etc. There are variables going on that won't be during the season.

 

[NWinAZ]

Next Mariner? Just my gut feeling.'

Rangers designated LHP Sam Freeman for assignment.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Bryan Holaday. Freeman holds a career 3.23 ERA with 101 strikeouts over 108 2/3 relief innings in his career, although he's also walked 59. Some team could take a shot at him on waivers.

 

[NWinAZ]

Next Mariner? Just my gut feeling.'

Rangers designated LHP Sam Freeman for assignment.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Bryan Holaday. Freeman holds a career 3.23 ERA with 101 strikeouts over 108 2/3 relief innings in his career, although he's also walked 59. Some team could take a shot at him on waivers.

Okay, I was wrong on this one:

Greg Johns ‏@GregJohnsMLB 2m2 minutes ago


Mariners acquired reliever Nick Vincent from Padres today. Bullpen now set. http://atmlb.com/231ZIIA

 

[NWinAZ]

MarinersPR ‏@MarinersPR 5h5 hours ago


#Mariners set OD roster: Joel Peralta selected, Rob Brantly DFA. Furbush, Scribner placed on 15-day DL, retro to 3/25. 4 NRI re-assigned.