Seattle, WA

Mariners Hot Stove: New coach Brown dives into hitting strategy

Published

2 years ago

January 17, 2024

Mariners Hot Stove: New coach Brown dives into hitting strategy

Brant Brown may be new to the position of Seattle Mariners bench coach and offensive coordinator, but he is not new to the organization having spent five years coaching in the minors before joining the Dodgers and eventually Marlins as a hitting coach.

What They Said: New Seattle Mariners OF Luke Raley on his role and more

Going back even further, he managed the Texas Rangers’ Double-A affiliate Frisco RoughRiders, where one of his travel partners was a young broadcaster by the name of Aaron Goldsmith.

“That was a key factor in me coming to Seattle,” Brown deadpanned Tuesday on Seattle Sports’ Mariners Hot Stove before reliving some Texas League travel stories with Goldsmith.

While it is good to have a relationship with a team’s broadcaster, it’s even better to have a connection with the manager. Brown and M’s skipper Scott Servais were Cubs teammates in the late 1990s.

“Scotty and I always talk. We have been friends for a long time,” said Brown. “It’s always worked back and forth. I think the personalities really blend well. When he asks me a question, he knows he’s going to get the truth from me.”

That trust is of vital importance in the bench coach role. In the role of offensive coordinator, Brown brings with him experience and success with two very different organizations.

He has hit the ground running, having talked with nearly all the Mariners hitters to get to know them as individuals while also doing his homework studying the analytics and tendencies. What he sees – and likes – is a group that is set up to tackle the full spectrum of what major league pitching throws at them each night.

“When you make up a lineup, you need a diverse group of guys that have certain superpowers because it really helps when you are facing different pitchers and different pitch characteristics each and every night,” he said. “If you have a good diverse group that are good at different things yet good together, it just puts you in better places throughout the game and gives you opportunity to win more ballgames.”

On the Hot Stove last week, general manager Justin Hollander stated a big part of Brown’s focus with the Mariners day-to-day will be on approach. That, of course, will vary with who they are facing, but Brown brings an overall message for the group.

“First and foremost, it’s not what the pitcher is trying to do, it’s what you are trying to do to the pitcher,” he said. “Second, is there a situation that needs to get done to help us win that changes what you are trying to do? And three, we don’t know which run in the game is going to win the game. We have to understand at the end of the day is you have to know where you are at in the count. You have to understand as you get into deficit counts, the slug goes down and the chase goes up. We have to modify our intent to where we are at in the at-bat, where we are at in the game and everything needs to be tapered towards a letter which is a ‘W,’ instead of a number.”

These are all things the Mariners have wanted to see from their hitters, but in a very different voice with different terminology. Not once in the 20-minute interview did Brown use the “Dominate The Zone” phrase the Mariners have embraced for several years now. It has been all about the numbers, the analytics and it will always be, but Brown provides an alternate focus with the letter, which is interesting and perhaps will resonate better with some hitters.

Another message he shared on the show? While the Mariners are looking to cut down on the swing and miss, there is room for error outside the strike zone.

“I don’t expect our hitters for every one of their swings to be in the box,” he said. “I do not. But what I do expect is for when they do chase a pitch out of the box, I want it to be in one area and that area should be to their strength. Those are creating conditions that one, it is very feasible and you can do it, two, if you swing outside of the box it is something you might be able to hit and three, you can’t practice perfection in a game or a task that is not going to be perfect, but you can handle doing it the way you want to do it, not the way they want you to do it.”

One hitter he is looking forward to working with is Julio Rodríguez and perhaps lessening some of the pressure on the young superstar.

“His drive this offseason has been impressive,” Brown said. “I’m super excited to get to know him better. I’m super excited hopefully to guide him in certain situations knowing that if we do things the right way, no one has to be a hero. You are going to hit for the hive, no one has to be a hero. Sometimes all hitters get themselves in trouble to because they think they have to do too much in those moments. He is a very feared hitter in this league, so he is going to get every pitch in the book. Sometimes the best thing he can do is take the walk and pass the baton and let the next guy do the job.”

This week’s Hot Stove Show also featured an interview with Cal Raleigh from his new home in Arizona, a chance to catch up with former Mariners reliever and new major league pitching strategist and assistant pitching coach Danny Farquhar, and the rundown on the international signees with director of international scouting Frankie Thon Jr.

You can hear the full show in the two podcasts below.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Seattle Mariners Notebook: Arbitration deals, Farquhar return, new RHP
• Mariners Breakdown: GM Justin Hollander on latest trades, what’s next
•Drayer: Mariners ‘feel good’ about team after trades, and more could be coming
• Drayer: Mitch Garver feels ‘really valued’ with way Mariners see him

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Seattle, WA

Here’s why the Blue Angels in Seattle on Monday

Published

7 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Here’s why the Blue Angels in Seattle on Monday

SEATTLE – Known for their high-flying skills above the skies during air shows, the Blue Angels will be in Seattle once again on Monday.

But with Seafair not until the summer, many are wondering why the Navy pilots are in the Emerald City ahead of schedule.

Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornets are flying The Diamond Roll (four planes in formation), doing a 360-degree roll as one unit, flying at 400 mph over Lake Washington for the Seafair weekend in Seattle. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Keep reading to find out why the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are in Seattle on Jan. 12.

Why are the Blue Angels in Seattle now?

The Blue Angels returned to Seattle on Monday to begin preseason planning for the 2026 Boeing Seafair Air Show.

Pilots will assess airshow locations, scouting the skies and getting familiar with the landscape ahead of the Seafair Weekend Festival, when they perform in three separate air shows. Their visit brings the iconic Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornets to the city, the aircraft pilots use during the air show.

Blue Angels pilots plan to stay in Seattle until Tuesday, coordinating with Seafair event organizers. Last year, only two Blue Angels pilots were in Seattle for preseason planning, instead of the entire squadron.

When are the Blue Angels coming back to Seattle?

The Blue Angels will fly back to western Washington for the 2026 Boeing Seafair Air Show, on Friday, July 31 – Sunday, August 2, 2026.

They’ll also be in town for two practice runs on Thursday, July 30.

When is the 2026 Seafair Air Show?

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will perform in three air shows throughout Seafair weekend. They’re happening each afternoon on July 31 through Aug. 2 on Lake Washington and at Genesee Park.

The multi-day Seafair Weekend Festival also includes the Apollo Mechanical Cup Hydroplane Races, along with live entertainment, food and drinks, and family-friendly activities. Tickets for the festival go on sale in February.

Who are the Blue Angels?

The Blue Angels is a team of elite Navy flight demonstrators, showcasing their aviation skills in high-speed, precision aerobatic performances.

They perform in air shows across the U.S. each year, with the goal of inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country, displaying the teamwork and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.

Formed in 1946, this year marks the 80th year of the Blue Angels. They take pride in performing for audiences both at home and abroad, showcasing the excitement, precision, and power of Naval aviation.

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The Source: Information in this story came from U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Seafair, and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Seahawks land 2 players on list of potential salary cap cuts in 2026

Published

19 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Seattle Seahawks land 2 players on list of potential salary cap cuts in 2026

No matter how the playoffs go for the Seatte Seahawks, general manager John Schneider and his team are looking at a very busy offseason ahead.

In addition to their usual preparations for the 2026 NFL draft, Seattle has a ton of important players who are about to become unrestricted free agents. That list includes special teams superstar Rashid Shaheed, running back Ken Walker and defensive standouts Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant.

It’s going to be really difficult to keep that entire group together, even with a lot of cap space projected to be open in 2026. The Seahawks may have to create room with some salary cap casualties after the season is over.

On that note, Over the Cap has listed a pair of Seattle players as potential cap casualties. Let’s review both of them.

OLB Uchenna Nwosu

Dec 18, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (22) dives for a touchdown against Seattle Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) in the second half at Lumen Field. | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Coming in at No. 46 on OTC’s list is veteran edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu, who has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit just over $20 million. Nwosu has been valuable when he’s on the field but he’s also missed a ton of time due to injuries and it will be difficult to justify his cap hit with so many other players to pay.

Seattle can save a little over $11.5 million if they cut Nwosu, before June 1 or after. However, they would also take on a dead money hit north of $8.5 million, which takes a lot of the flavor out of those cap savings.

In 45 games with the Seahawks, Nwosu has tallied 19.5 sacks, 52 QB hits, 24 tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles and eight pass breakups.

That’s a lot of good production across the board as an all-around defender, but he’ll turn 30 years old before next season is over and there are a lot of mouths to feed for Mike Macdonald’s defense.

Over the Cap projects there’s a 58.5% chance that the Seahawks will wind up cutting him. Our best guess is that will be the case, especially if they want to pursue someone like Maxx Crosby on the trade market.

K Jason Myers

Jan 3, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks place kicker Jason Myers (5) kicks a field goal against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at Levi’s Stadium. | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

The only other Seahawks player who made the list (at No. 77) was placekicker Jason Myers, where the team has an interesting choice to make.

Myers has been around since the 2019 season and he’s come through for them more often than not. In 117 games he’s converted 200 of 232 field goal attempts, coming out to 86.2%. On extra point attempts he’s gone 292/307 for 95.1%.

Those are very solid numbers for an NFL kicker, and when you have a solid option at this position you don’t mess with it.

Another factor working in Myers’ favor is that Seattle really can’t save all that much money by cutting him. According to OTC’s numbers the Seahawks would create $5.1 million in cap room by cutting him, with a dead money hit of $1,875,000.

Five million might get Seattle a decent backup for their interior offensive line, or another contributor to Mike Macdonald’s defense. It’s not enough to really move the needle for this roster, though.

OTC gives it a 52.5% chance that Myers will get cut, but we don’t see that happening. If they want to lower his cap hit, the Seahawks can create a little over $3 million for 2026 with an extension. That’s the only move they should be looking to make at this spot.

Kraken Extend Streak In Comeback OT Loss | Seattle Kraken

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Kraken Extend Streak In Comeback OT Loss | Seattle Kraken

And while Dunn’s head coach insisted afterwards he doesn’t believe in “measuring stick games” the Kraken measured up fairly well in this one considering they played a pretty poor first period and needed half of the second frame to get any type of offense going against the league’s No. 2 defensive unit.

But they eventually got it going and the salvaged point, as Dunn mentioned, was huge in that it allowed the Kraken to remain in third place in the Pacific Division – just two points behind leaders Vegas and Edmonton – as they now embark on a five-city road trip. They extended their points streak to 10 games in the process, going 8-0-2 that stretch to transform a season hinging on the brink.

Mats Zuccarello got the overtime winner for Minnesota, converting a Kirill Kaprizov pass off a 2-on-1 break after the Kraken had been foiled just moments prior on their own odd-man rush. That foiled an outstanding night for Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer, who’d made several huge stops in both overtime and the third period to keep things tied, as well as prior to that frame to give his team the shot at a comeback.

The Kraken had spent the past week filling opposition nets with pucks but waited until the final 17 minutes to score their first goal of this game. By that point, they’d been trailing 2-0 since a pair of 42-foot wrist shot goals by Ryan Hartman and Brock Faber in the first period silenced the home crowd.

“The first period was awful, and our execution was probably the biggest part of that,” Dunn said. “It’s just tough when you’re chasing the game a little bit to start the game. So, we kind of set ourselves up for the second period to come out and play the right way and I thought as the game went on, we got a lot better.

“And I thought it was a pretty competitive game both ways. A lot of chances both ways.”

Grubauer kept things close from there, stopping 31 of 34 shots on the night to give his team a chance to get back in it.

Adam Larsson then got the Kraken on the board three minutes into the final period with a slap shot goal from the right circle after Dunn had rung one off the post on a prior blast seconds earlier. And the Kraken weren’t done yet.

The Wild ran into penalty trouble not long after and the Kraken capitalized on the power play with Matty Beniers banging home a net front rebound off a Jared McCann shot that lifted the home side into a 2-2 tie and sent the Climate Pledge Arena crowd into a frenzy.

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