Seattle, WA

Drayer: Seattle Mariners weren't done – How Polanco addition fits

Published

2 years ago

January 30, 2024

Drayer: Seattle Mariners weren't done – How Polanco addition fits

After the Seattle Mariners’ trades that brought in Mitch Haniger, Anthony DeScalfani and Luke Raley to the Seattle Mariners three weeks ago had been completed, there was a clear air of relief in a reply to a question posed to president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto.

Mariners Trade Breakdown: Who is new 2B Jorge Polanco?

“I feel like today is the first time all offseason that we can say if we were playing the opening day game tomorrow, we feel good about the team that we have,” Dipoto said in the media call later that Jan. 5 evening. “It’s a complete team.”

While some interpreted that as “the Mariners are done this winter,” in reality it was a statement of fact – and a significant accomplishment given the turn the offseason had taken early on, with Dipoto and general manager Justin Hollander needing to subtract from the roster before they added due to financial constraints.

For the vast majority of the offseason there were missing pieces – vital pieces. And no, the plan was not to just fill them with utility players. Nonetheless, it was an uncomfortable place to be.

On Jan. 5, they felt they could at least field a good team with the numbers adding up at most positions, some via the platoon, but the hope was they could add.

The target: Jorge Polanco.

Mariners make trade with Twins for All-Star Jorge Polanco

“He’s a guy that we have liked and tried to acquire for years,” said Hollander. “I think I personally made more calls on this trade than I ever have on any trade before at the behest of both my own want to add him to our group, so a really big day for us. (I) feel like it makes us a lot better and excited to add him.”

The addition of the switch-hitting Polanco at second base will eliminate a planned platoon at that position, likely moving it to third base where the platoon can be better utilized with Luis Urías and Josh Rojas.

Instant Reaction: Drayer with Wyman and Bob on trade for Polanco

“The switch-hit is huge for us the way our team is constructed,” said Hollander. “To have a guy who’s platoon neutral who can hit in the middle of our lineup from either side is a big advantage for Scott (Servais) as he stacks the lineup up to be able to go left, right, switch.”

Polanco, who hit primarily in the top three spots of the order for the Twins in recent years, could slide into the No. 3 spot for the Mariners, solidifying the top of the order before mixing and matching through the middle. The addition gives length to the lineup, and it builds a stronger bench. One of Mitch Haniger, Dominic Canzone or Luke Raley will be available off the bench each night, plus utility player Dylan Moore, catcher Seby Zavala, and Rojas or Urías.

The addition did come at a price both in the immediate and perhaps future, though, with outfielder and top-100 prospect Gabriel Gonzalez and pitching prospect Darren Bowen included in the trade. Off the big league roster, the Mariners could afford to lose the recently acquired DeScalfani, but key reliever Justin Topa will need to be replaced.

“I definitely do want to take a moment to praise Topa on this call,” Hollander said to the media Monday night. “Justin Topa was awesome for us last year. From Day 1 of spring training, he showed up. He was open to coaching, he was open to new ideas, worked his butt off to make sure he stayed on the mound every day. He was available to us and got huge outs for us all year long. Topa was great, we’ll have to replace that. I think it most likely will be internally with a possibility, like always, that we could add externally as well.”

The bullpen does appear to be thin in established talent, but a strength of the Mariners in recent years has been in uncovering pitching gems. Is the next Topa or even Paul Sewald in the current group of spring training invitees? There are candidates with Jackson Kowar, Carlos Vargas and Prelander Berroa all possessing stuff, though none have yet put it together at the big league level.

Time will tell how it all shakes out, but on paper – multiple projection systems ranked the Mariners second in the division before Monday’s trade – this team is better than the team that finished last season.

Pitchers (and it’s very worth noting the starting five was kept intact) and catchers report to spring training in just over two weeks.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Mariners sign utility player who is married to Hollywood star
• Baseball America’s Glaser: Mariners prospect Emerson ‘on a rocket’
• Video: Grading Seattle Mariners’ offseason with Mike Salk and Shannon Drayer
• Close Look: Two Mariners legends set to enter Baseball Hall of Fame race
• The fun story of how Cal Raleigh heard about Haniger’s Seattle Mariners return

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Seattle, WA

Watch Super Bowl 60 champion Seattle Seahawks victory press conference

Published

3 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Press Room

Watch Super Bowl 60 champion Seattle Seahawks victory press conference

The Seattle Seahawks topped the New England Patriots 29-13 in the 2026 Super Bowl behind a standout performance from the “Dark Side” defense and the rushing of game MVP Kenneth Walker III.

USA TODAY will have continued coverage of aftermath of Super Bowl 60 all week as the NFL heads into its offseason. Return here throughout Feb. 9 for the latest updates from Santa Clara and around the league.

USA TODAY Ad Meter took the pulse of the nation on this year’s lineup of Super Bowl commercials, and there were certainly some memorable entries into the cultural sphere. But which was best? Ad Meter voters spoke, with a Super Bowl break icon coming out on top again. Find out who won here.

– Eric Larsen

From commemorative page prints of USA TODAY’s post-Super Bowl edition to Seahawks championship gear, USA TODAY has Seahawks fans covered. Click the link below to find items to help any diehard 12 celebrate Seattle’s second Lombardi Trophy win.

Buy Seahawks championship pages, gear

– Eric Larsen

The NFL held its post-Super Bowl 60 press conference with the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks at 11:30 a.m. ET, Feb. 9. You can watch a recap of the brief appearance from Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald and running back Kenneth Walker III here:

– Eric Larsen

Asked how the Seahawks will maintain their defensive advantage after a dominant run through the 2025 season, Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said, “We use the term ‘chasing edges’ here in Seattle. You can’t be copying everybody else.”

Macdonald said it till be up to the Seahawks to “keep pushing the envelope” on their game plans as they begin their defense as Super Bowl champions.

– Eric Larsen

Asked about the short list of running backs who’ve won Super Bowl MVP – the Denver Broncos’ Terrell Davis was the last halfback to win the award, in Super Bowl 32 – Walker said, “It means a lot to have my name on that list.”

– Eric Larsen

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Seattle, WA

Fans seen climbing Pergola in Seattle’s Pioneer Square after Seahawks’ Super Bowl win

Published

15 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Press Room

Fans seen climbing Pergola in Seattle’s Pioneer Square after Seahawks’ Super Bowl win

SEATTLE – The Seattle Seahawks captured the franchise’s second Super Bowl title Sunday night, and celebrations erupted across the city as fans gathered in Pioneer Square.

What we know:

Shortly after the Seahawks’ victory in Super Bowl LX fans filled streets near First Avenue and Yesler Way.

Seattle police asked people to keep celebrations on the ground, but some people climbed the historic Pioneer Square pergola — just like after the Seahawks’ first Super Bowl title in 2014.

The backstory:

The pergola, installed in 1909, has become a focal point during big city celebrations. In 2014, revelers climbed atop the structure and broke several glass panes, prompting later repairs funded by the community.

Seattle police were on scene in Pioneer Square as crowds continued into the night. Authorities previously warned fans ahead of the game to avoid climbing the pergola for safety reasons.

Dig deeper:

The Seahawks’ win marked the team’s first Super Bowl championship since Super Bowl XLVIII, when they defeated the Denver Broncos 43-8. That 2014 victory sparked massive celebrations and a citywide parade.

On the field Sunday, Seattle’s defense and special teams helped secure the victory, forcing turnovers and limiting their opponent’s offense. Running back Kenneth Walker III earned Super Bowl MVP honors with 161 total yards.

Back in Seattle, fans celebrating in Pioneer Square echoed the exuberance of past championship nights — including scaling structures and gathering in large crowds — as the festivities continued late into the evening.

The Source: Information in this story came from the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Department of Transportation and original FOX 13 Seattle reporting.

Pioneer SquareSeattle SeahawksNews

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Super Bowl watching, and what else is up today/tonight

Published

1 day ago

February 8, 2026

Press Room

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: Super Bowl watching, and what else is up today/tonight

(Photo by Steven Rice)

The Super Bowl is no doubt the super-sized event on today’s list – but you have other options today, particularly pre-game – here’s what else is up, mostly from our WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SOFTBALL CLINIC: Today’s the day WSHS players put on an 8:30 am skills clinic to mentor younger players – details here; the second (advanced) session still had some room as of Saturday. Rain or shine! Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex, upper field (2801 SW Thistle).

SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: Exercise early! The Westies Run Club starts its 9 am run at Highland Park Corner Store today. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)

FREE WEST AFRICAN DANCE CLASS: Another way to get moving! 9:30 am at South Park Hall (1253 S. Cloverdale).

AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at the new location of The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.

SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION: For a contemplative session, see if there’s space in the small-group meditation session at 9:30 am at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW).

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Lots of options for game-day food and drink! Open as usual on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in winter produce-and-products season – roots, greens, peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, beans, garlic, apples, more – plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, pasta, more. (Even chips!)

ROLLER DERBY ROAD TRIP: Want to spend a few pregame hours watching West Seattle-based Rainier Roller Riot bout? 10 am, Magnuson Park in North Seattle, you can do exactly that.

FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)

MARCUS HARRISON GREEN @ WSUU: As previewed here, the Seattle journalist and advocate is guest speaker for Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation‘s Black History Month Celebration service today, 10:30 am. (7141 California SW or livestream)

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to find it at, and borrow it from, the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE RESIST: Regular weekly West Seattle Resist Sunday sign-holding event, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)

(Photo by Greg Snyder)

SUPER BOWL PARTIES: Here’s our list of 11 West Seattle places to watch the game, from Alki to Morgan Junction, many opening early and advising you to get there early to get a table!

CLOSED ON GAME DAY: On the other hand, it’s a tradition for some local venues to close – or close early – on Super Bowl day. So far we’ve seen Mashiko mention it’s closed today and Cactus mention they’re closing early (2 pm). Anyone else? (Added: Raccolto and GH Pizza and Pasta.)

WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Pre-game relaxing at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)

MUSIC AT C & P: 3-5 pm, Martha Liz & Friends provide music to go with your beverages at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

‘TOPDOG/UNDERDOG’: Theater instead of football – the new “comic fable” at ArtsWest has a matinée today, 3 pm. Check here for tickets.

ASTRA LUMINA: Held over into February, but no shows tonight.

TRIVIA AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5 pm to 8 pm, twice-monthly trivia hosted by Morgue Anne, all ages. (9444 Delridge Way SW)

UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: 7:30 pm, play after the game, win prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, end your weekend with live music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).

Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could add to the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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