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Good morning everyone! Things are starting to get interesting as spring training closes in. Here’s what you need to know today.
In Mariners news...
- The Mariners have partnered with Metro Parks Tacoma in an effort to bring baseball and softball to kids in the Tacoma area.
- Jerry Dipoto spoke about Felix Hernandez with confidence on the latest episode of his podcast, believing that Felix has a forthcoming second wind to his career.
Around the league...
- Here’s a story from yesterday that a lot of people overreacted to but probably just means he’s going to give a speech at spring training and exchange phone numbers with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton or something.
The #Yankees just acquired Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson via trade from the #Rangers. Seriously.
— Robert Murray (@RobertMurrayFRS) February 7, 2018
- Could a reunion be in the works?
Free agent JD Martinez, who has a 5-year offer from the #Redsox for at least $120, million has discussed short-term as well as long-term proposals with the #Dbacks
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 8, 2018
- Richard Justice pegs Mike Leake and nine other MLB pitchers as sleeper candidates for the Cy Young Award.
- Joe Girardi has found himself a new home for now.
Joe Girardi is joining @MLBNetwork as a studio analyst. Makes his debut tonight at 6pE with Amsinger, Lowell and Ripken.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 7, 2018
- Jeff Sullivan warns to be careful when looking at projections for teams, no matter what system you subscribe to.
- Well, it’s all but official: with just a week left before spring training, the league will open up a complex for unsigned free agents.
Source confirms: A separate training camp for unsigned free agents “will happen.” Union not sure how many players will attend, but plan to make a facility available in Florida or Arizona. First reported: @TBrownYahoo.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2018
- What the heck? Chris Cotillo reports that the termination was “behavior related.”
Wasserman Media Group just announced they have “terminated” their relationship with Yasiel Puig and no longer represent him.
— Robert Murray (@RobertMurrayFRS) February 7, 2018
As @ChrisCotillo said, an odd thing for an agency to do. Unclear what happened.
- Baseball Prospectus jots down some of the most notable things within the latest PECOTA projections.
- Eric Gomez at ESPN explains why so many Cuban baseball players have names that start with the letter “Y.”
- Craig Edwards notes that the Twins are in desperate need of a starting pitcher now that they’ll be without Ervin Santana for a little bit.
Anders’ picks...
- St. John’s mens’ basketball team is the most unusual thing.
A week ago, St. John’s lost its 11th straight game.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 8, 2018
Now the Red Storm have beaten No. 4 Duke and No. 1 Villanova back to back! pic.twitter.com/zJ3Zg2uBX1
- Yesterday was National Signing Day for college football, and....yikes.
Jacob Copeland's mother — in an Alabama sweater and Tennessee hat — just got up and left after he announced he was going to Florida pic.twitter.com/tOZHnZeamv
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 7, 2018