Episode 1194: Season Preview Series: Mariners and Rockies

Summary[]

Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about the passage of the so-called “Save America’s Pastime” Act, the future of minor-league spending, the endangered status of lower-level independent leagues, Ryan Zimmerman’s spring-training trailblazing, leadoff hitter Aaron Judge, actual likely Opening Day Dodgers starter Matt Kemp, a Zack Greinke anecdote, and Miguel Cabrera’s solution for not knowing teammates’ names, then preview the 2018 Mariners (20:38) with FanGraphs’ Meg Rowley, and the 2018 Rockies (53:35) with Rockies Magazine’s Jesse Spector.

Topics[]

Are the Mariners distinguished from the rest of the division?
Why did the Mariners not get any starters this offseason?
Is the anger towards the Angel's because of Shohei Ohtani?
Dan Vogelbach
Mike Zunino outlook
Ichiro resigning, what does it mean?
Have the Mariners gotten any better at player development?
Where is the Mariners bullpen depth?
What is Felix Hernandez outlook?
Is there a Hisashi Iwakuma rebound coming?
Does Jerry Dipoto get another deal if this year is bad?
Does Dee Gordon deal look good?
Mitch Haniger outlook
Did the Rockies get any better?
Have the Rockies solved Coors Field?
What happened to Ian Desmond last year?
Is there anyone behind Jon Gray that can step up?
Jess has no idea who the number 2 is in the rotation.
Is Adam Ottavino healthy?
How much credit did/should Bud Black get for last seasons success?
What have the Rockies done to make it easier for their players on the road.
Do you expect Nolan Arenado to be resigned?
Should you dock Nolan Arenado for playing at Coors.

Interstitials[]

Buzzcocks, "Sixteen Again"
Manassas, "Colorado"

Banter[]

Minor league payment bill
Ryan Zimmerman's spring numbers
Matt Kemp is going to be a Dodger this year.
Aaron Judge hit lead off on Friday.
Zack Greinke threw nothing but 85 MPH fastballs in a spring training game with the Royals.
Miguel Cabrera’s memory problems.

Notes[]

The Sonoma Stompers, as well as many other independent league teams, are endangered.
“MLB spend millions of dollars lobbying this bill that they could have spent paying minor leaguers” - Ben
Ben thinks this bill will change someday but doesn't know when or how.
Ryan Zimmerman is batting .500 with a .1000 slug% this spring, in his 2 spring at bats, in February.
Jeff says spring training is too long.
Miguel Cabrera just calls everyone “bro".
The Mariners window is just about closed.
Meg doesn't think all the anger is due to the Shohei Ohtani signing, just nowhere else to yell.
Mariners open to competition at 1B.
Mike Zunino had a 154 wRC+ last season.
Meg worries that the Mariners may have to release Ichiro at some point.
Meg is optimistic about the Mariners player development.
Jeff compared Dan Vogelbach to baked beans.
“This will probably be Felix Hernandez last opening day start" -Meg
“They are never getting out of that deal, they will be paying his children money" - Meg on Robinson Cano
Meg predicted the Mariners win 79 games this year.
“It's a Tigers length rebuild at least" - Meg
Fans that are angry are looking ownerships way.
Jesse thinks the Rockies got better just by getting older.
Jesse expects Ian Desmond to improve.
The Rockies were a below average hitting team and an above average pitching team last year.
Coors Field will never be solved says Jesse.
“When it come to Ian Desmond, moving him around isn't doing him any favors.” - Jesse
Ian Desmond had a 75 point drop in slugging percentage last year.
Adam Ottavino had a 10% increase in walk rate last year.
“Bud Black got an appropriate amount of credit” - Jesse
Rockies tOPS+ was 80 last year.
“I don't think there's anything they can do” - Jesse on mitigating the Coors effect even on the road.
Nolan Arenado has a tOPS+ of 84.
Jesse expects Nolan Arenado to be back.
Jesse predicts the Rockies win 91 games this year.