Seattle, WA

Dipoto: Trade market, Mariners’ DH plan, exciting reports on young hitters

Published

2 years ago

January 5, 2023

Dipoto: Trade market, Mariners’ DH plan, exciting reports on young hitters

After a fairly quick begin to the offseason when it comes to strikes, the Mariners have been comparatively quiet of late.

Dipoto: Mariners’ prospect primed to ‘mild folks up,’ new plan for Brash

Crew president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto hit the Seattle Sports activities 710 AM airwaves on Thursday for the primary time in 2023 and mentioned the commerce market and rather more concerning the Mariners. We break down what he stated under, and for a take a look at extra pitching-specific issues Dipoto mentioned, click on the hyperlink above this paragraph.

‘Perplexing’ how sluggish commerce market has been

One thing that’s been clear since Dipoto and his employees got here to the Mariners after the 2015 season is that they’re not afraid to make a commerce.

We’ve seen that already this offseason, with Seattle buying All-Star outfielder Teoscar Hernández from the Toronto Blue Jays and Gold Glove second baseman Kolten Wong from the Milwaukee Brewers whereas additionally buying and selling 2020 Rookie of the 12 months Kyle Lewis to Arizona for catcher/outfielder Cooper Hummel.

However trades have crept to a halt for not simply the Mariners, however for all of MLB.

A Nearer Look: The nice and dangerous of Mariners’ offseason to this point

“Perhaps probably the most perplexing a part of this offseason to me is how sluggish the commerce market has usually been,” Dipoto stated. “And that is usually a time whenever you’ll see that open up. Sometimes you’ll see a rush of trades in November and early December as you head into the Winter Conferences and it’ll choose again up after the free-agent market has has, I suppose, run its course.”

The free-agent market is essentially as Dipoto described it, with almost all the large names now off the board.

“So that is when the rest of the free-agent market usually opens up after which trades begin to occur once more,” Dipoto stated. “However whereas the rest of the free-agent market remains to be operating regular – and we’re concerned there – we actually haven’t had an entire lot of exercise on the commerce entrance, and that’s slightly stunning.”

Why is that the case?

Dipoto stated there are “quite a lot of causes,” however he thinks a giant one is that loads of groups that had been rebuilding at the moment are “shifting north” and are including impression MLB expertise quite than on the lookout for “future worth.”

“There’s extra parity in baseball proper now than there’s been in fairly a while, particularly in the midst of the pack,” he stated. “You continue to have the groups which have traditionally dominated offseason markets just like the New York golf equipment, the LA’s, and so on., however proper now you have got a bunch within the center and so they’re very aggressive golf equipment and so they’re having very energetic offseasons. And because of this, I don’t assume you’re seeing as many gamers change groups exterior of free company simply but. And I don’t know if that’s going to stay the case, however it’s definitely totally different. It’s slightly bit totally different than it has been in years previous.”

The Mariners’ DH plan

As issues at the moment stand, the Mariners are with out a clear on a regular basis possibility at designated hitter. So what’s the staff’s plan at that spot?

“When you’ve got a participant, like, let’s say a Nelson Cruz through the years the place Nellie was right here, and you’ve got a dynamic offensive participant who’s succesful versus each right- and left-handed pitching and may play day-after-day, then having a full-time DH makes loads of sense,” Dipoto stated. “We’ve, in our historical past as a company, had dynamic gamers in that function, significantly Edgar (Martinez) and Nellie. Nevertheless it’s increasingly unusual.”

As an alternative, the Mariners “choose to cycle the DH at-bats” by way of their on a regular basis gamers, Dipoto defined.

“After which attempt to create handedness or matchup benefits when it’s attainable,” he stated. “So if we do occur upon an on a regular basis participant that may deal with that function, then nice, however extra doubtless we would favor to take, let’s name it 650 or so plate appearances that will go to a delegated hitter and divvy that up amongst Teoscar Hernández and one among our younger left-handed hitters that we’ve talked about.”

Dipoto then pointed to one of many less-heralded gamers they’ve acquired this offseason: Cooper Hummell, a 28-year-old switch-hitter picked up in a commerce with Arizona who can play a number of positions, together with catcher.

“One of many benefits of buying Cooper Hummel within the Kyle Lewis commerce is the potential for having three catchers on our roster, which might then permit us to run one among our catchers right into a DH day in an advantageous approach,” he stated. “That’s the best way we’re DH.”

Dipoto hasn’t closed the door on altering course if the appropriate alternative comes alongside, although.

“I say that and if over the following few weeks we’re in a position to faucet right into a participant we predict adjustments our offense by enjoying DH frequently, then that’s one thing we’ll contemplate as effectively.”

Fann: Seven remaining free brokers the M’s might add at DH, different voids

Promising experiences on younger hitters

With spring coaching proper across the nook, gamers throughout the league are making ready for large league camp.

Dipoto stated the Mariners have a hard-working group and that he’s gotten very promising experiences about two younger outfielders.

“We’ve gotten nice suggestions on Taylor Trammell and his hitting packages by way of the offseason,” Dipoto stated. “He’s spent loads of time working – I don’t need to say revamping his swing however assessing the issues that he can do to enhance. It’s been a really optimistic offseason for him.”

Trammell, 25, is a former first-round choose who got here to the Mariners through commerce in 2020. He made his MLB debut on opening day 2021 however has largely struggled offensively on the massive league stage. In 94 MLB video games during the last two seasons, Trammell has slashed .174/.267/.402 with 12 residence runs.

The opposite younger bat? One other former first-round choose and high prospect: Jarred Kelenic.

“We’ve gotten incredible suggestions on Jarred Kelenic, who’s been working with a hitting group down in southern California this winter, and it’s gone very effectively for him,” Dipoto stated.

Kelenic, 23, was additionally traded to the Mariners whereas within the minor leagues and made his MLB debut in 2021. Like Trammell, Kelenic has struggled mightily on the MLB stage, slashing .168/.251/.338 with 21 residence runs in 147 video games.

Hearken to the complete Jerry Dipoto Present, which airs stay at 8:30 a.m. on Thursdays throughout Seattle Sports activities’ Brock and Salk, at this hyperlink or within the participant under.

Speaking Mariners Podcast: Making sense of offseason, 2023 outlook

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Sounders at LAFC: community player ratings form

Published

22 mins ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

Seattle Sounders at LAFC: community player ratings form

I know we were all ready to pop in a bunch of 10s at around 10:00 p.m. Saturday night, and here it is Tuesday morning, but such is life.

The Seattle Sounders visited LAFC and came away winners for the first time in forever, thereby advancing to the Western Conference Finals where they will face the other LA squad. They did so via an LAFC own goal, and a Jordan Morris winner in the 109th minute.

Rate some dudes. Put a 10 if it’s a 10.

Here is a direct link to the form; we hope this allows everyone to submit a response.

Here’s the scale:
(Substitutes can be left blank if the player did not play enough to judge)
1 – Not a pro quality performance
4 – Average USL Championship starter
6 – Average MLS starter
9 – MLS All Star
10 – MLS MVP-quality performance

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Public Schools official scraps plan to close schools

Published

8 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

Seattle Public Schools official scraps plan to close schools

In a letter to parents, teachers and staff sent Monday, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) Superintendent Brent Jones announced the school district will not close or consolidate schools for the 2025-26 academic year.

Jones wrote in his letter that he plans to withdraw his preliminary proposal to the Seattle School Board to close four schools.

In his letter, which has been republished in full on the Seattle’s Child website, Jones noted the Seattle School Board had directed him to come up with a plan for closures and consolidations to “address enrollment declines, budgetary challenges, stabilizing programs and services.” Jones and the district will not move in that direction.

“After much deliberation, reflection, and engagement with our community, it is clear there is no longer a pathway for this approach for the 2025-26 school year,” Jones wrote. “I am withdrawing my preliminary recommendation, and we will not pursue school closures and consolidations for the upcoming school year. The Board will vote Tuesday to formally approve this direction.”

Jones explained this latest decision “was not made lightly and reflects the Board and my shared priority: the needs and well-being of our students, families, and community.” The decision allows those involved look at the situation more and “thoughtfully determine” the next steps.

“The projected $5.5 million savings from the proposed closures are significant,” Jones wrote. “However, we agree that achieving these savings should not come at the cost of dividing our community.”

The superintendent went on to state in the letter the district will address the budget shortfall that exists through “legislative and levy renewal advocacy, as well as pursuing operational efficiencies aligned with our shared values and priorities.”

They came to America looking for better lives — and better schools: The results were mixed

Why the Seattle School Board considered closing schools

Earlier this year, SPS stated it is contending with a $104 million budget shortfall. Therefore, the district came up with two different options earlier this fall to close the gap in funds.

The first option is to operate 52 attendance-area elementary schools, closing 21 elementary and K-8 schools. This option would have saved SPS 31.5 million.

In the second option, the district would operate 56 schools, including attendance-area elementary and one K-8 school per region, closing 17 schools. This second option would have saved SPS $25.5 million.

“Many of our schools are struggling to provide the resources our students deserve,” the district wrote in a statement at that time. “To address this, we are working to ensure our schools are the right size and have the resources needed for preschool through 5th-grade students to succeed.”

As the fall went on, SPS plan went from as many as 21 schools closing all the way down to four closing and consolidating with four others. Four schools — one each in the Northwest Northeast, Central and Southwest regions — were announced as the places of learning set to shut down. They were announced as the following:

North Beach Elementary, consolidating with Viewlands Elementary at Viewlands.
Sacajawea Elementary, consolidating with John Rogers Elementary at John Rogers.
Stevens Elementary, consolidating with Montlake Elementary at Montlake.
Sansilo Elementary, consolidating with Highland Park Elementary at Highland Park.

“We understand this change is difficult,” SPS stated on its website at the time. “We chose these schools based on factors like building condition, space, and the goal of minimizing disruption to students and families.”

Protests from parents within the district soon followed, including one late last month outside Sacajawea Elementary.

All four of Joshua Newman’s children attended or are currently enrolled at Sacajawea. He said both state and district school leaders need to balance their budgets better.

“The district needs to look at its own operations and its own administrative costs and not lay the burden on where, frankly, the value is actually added and that’s the teachers, and by the individual principals and staff who are involved in the kids’ lives,” Newman said to KIRO Newsradio.

Rachel Kubiak and her child showed up at the rally as well. They illustrated how closing the school would close a part of their community and their lives.

“We’re really sad. When we heard the news, I was texting with my husband and just — I’m crushed,” she said to KIRO 7.

From left, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones, Ph.D., and Seattle School Board President Liza Rankin are seen in recent images. (Photos courtesy of Seattle Public Schools)

Last week, Jones shared a key update about the potential school closures, explaining the district was canceling prescheduled community meetings at the schools set to close.

“We are doing so as the board has decided to delay the December closure and consolidation hearings, in part based on important input from families that we all value,” Jones wrote in his statement available on SPS’ website. “As a result, I am considering withdrawing my earlier recommendations for closure and consolidation.”

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest; Luke Duecy, KIRO Newsradio

Steve Coogan is the lead editor of MyNorthwest. You can read more of his stories here. Follow Steve on X, or email him here.

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Seattle, WA

Uchenna Nwosu Returning To Practice & Other News From Mike Macdonald’s Press Conference

Published

16 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Uchenna Nwosu Returning To Practice & Other News From Mike Macdonald’s Press Conference

Seahawks will “take a long look at “Sataoa Laumea” following Anthony Bradford’s injury.

Starting right guard exited Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, and after the game Macdonald said Anthony Bradford will likely miss at least this week’s game. And while Christian Haynes, who took over for Bradford after the injury, would seem the likely candidate to take over, especially considering he split reps at that spot with Bradford earlier this season, Macdonald said the Seahawks will also look at another member of the 2024 draft class, sixth-round pick Sataoa Laumea.

“Sataoa is someone we’re going to take a long look at as well,” Macdonald said when asked about Haynes in that role. “But Christian played winning football for us, but we want him to grow. Keep growing man, you’ve got to go prove it every week on the practice field and in preparation. But right now, he deserves all the credit for being a guy that was rotating in, then AB took over, he still prepared, knew all the things that we—no mentals on the day, but some technique stuff we’ve got to get cleaned up. But overall, good enough to win the game, so, happy with his ability to step in and help us win the football game.”

Asked about Laumea’s rookie campaign so far, Macdonald said, “Just a guy who continues to work his craft and take it day by day. He can play both left and right guard. Just a guy we were really excited about bringing him in, and then to see his approach every day, and now that he gets an opportunity, it’s another example of, ‘Hey, what are you going to do with it? Go to work.’”

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