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Good morning everybody and happy Friday! We’ve some some links for you as we close out the week.
In Mariners news...
- In case you missed it, here’s Yusei Kikuchi’s opening statement from yesterday.
Hello, Seattle.
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) January 3, 2019
Addressing the media here for the first time, Yusei gave his opening statement in English. pic.twitter.com/OPYnZMRtGh
- Meanwhile, Aaron Goldsmith met his match yesterday.
Strong hair/pocket square combo from YK’s interpreter. I accept your challenge, sir. I’ve been waiting for someone like you. pic.twitter.com/4SaIRuuiTM
— Aaron Goldsmith (@heygoldy) January 3, 2019
- Safe to say that Kikuchi is excited to meet Ichiro.
Ichiro is an International Man of Mystery. pic.twitter.com/MA5hB5QCHr
— MLB (@MLB) January 3, 2019
- Here’s what comes next for Jerry Dipoto and the Mariners.
It's worth mentioning that the Mariners to-do list includes the following, according to Jerry Dipoto.
— Corey Brock (@CoreyBrockMLB) January 3, 2019
1. Veteran infielder, and that player will have to be able to play SS.
2. Address the bullpen, most likely through the free agent market.
Around the league...
- Cliff Corcoran at The Athletic wonders how a stat goes from being obscure to becoming part of the public vernacular. ($)
- For the latest edition of Short Relief, Kate discussed the tragic history of the Furcal family.
- Former Mariners coach Scott Brosius has been named the Senior Director of Player Development with USA Baseball.
- That’s a healthy chunk of change for the reliever.
BREAKING: David Robertson has agreed to a two-year deal with the Phillies that guarantees him at least $23 million. He’ll earn $10M in 2019, $11M in 2020, with a $12M club option ($2M buyout) for 2021. He’s passed a physical and the deal is complete.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 3, 2019
- The former Mariner is drawing some interest.
Adam Warren has a robust market... teams offering him a wide variety of roles: opener, multi-inning guy, one-inning guy, etc. Few NL contenders involved.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 3, 2019
- Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs wrote about the possibility of Willians Astudillo winning the MVP in the Venezuelan Winter League.
- The White Sox have reportedly made an offer to Manny Machado.
- The Rays are going to be reducing the viewing capacity at Tropicana Field.
BREAKING: Among the changes the Rays announced this morning are reducing capacity to 25,000-26,000 and eliminating the upper 300 level.https://t.co/Xp5HjVs5VB
— Tampa Bay Times (@TB_Times) January 4, 2019
Anders’ picks...
- The Mavericks rookie is leaning pretty hard into his perceived playing style.
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) January 3, 2019