Mariner Vibes: Recent Episodes
marinervibes
A fan made podcast of continual hope for the Seattle Mariners. Isn’t it amazing that after a 20+ year playoff draught, we in the PNW continue to have so much excitement and belief in our time year after year? That is true passion and commitment. Let’s talk about the team that causes us so much heartbreak and joy every season.
In one of the deepest races for the AL Wild Card that we have seen in the last two decades, will the Mariner's be buyers or sellers? The 2023 roster isn't doing it offensively, and 2024 looks to be even worse with no reinforcements coming up from the Minors. The time to strike for hitting is now, and I go over three general predictions/hopes for the M's this weekend.
For the first time in many years the Astros look vulnerable. With the Mariners absolutely dominant rotation do they have a shot at taking the division? I missed a few weeks, there is a lot to talk about from the debut of the next Mariner Cy Young candidate to Julio moving in the lineup, let's get into it!
Overall it was a winning homestand for the M's, so the Brewer sweep isn't that painful right? Right? Lots of ups and downs this week, some good baseball, some bad baseball, lets get into it.
So many storylines from the Chicago and Colorado games. Jarred Kelenic is the most talked about thing on Mariner Twitter, Castillo is absolutely dominant and is having a historic start to 2023, Jerry's argument for his DH strategy took a serious hit, and Julio is slumping. There is a lot to discuss from this week. Come for the Kelenic adoration, stay for the sincere DH rant (1/21 isn't going to get it done at the major league level). It was a packed week!
The first homestand of the year ended in disappointment with the Mariners dropping 2 of 3 to the Angels (are we over platooning?). Then the M's went on to show their 2022 ways in Cleveland looking like a completely different team defensively (for the first two games). Full recap and notes in this one with a little, "Are We Worried?" at the end with certain players.
There are 162 games in a baseball season, deep breathes Mariner fans! The opener wasn't the way the Ms wanted to start the season, but it was a great test for where they are at going into the season. Cleveland is a great team and the defense did themselves no favors. All of it is recapped plus a look at the pitching matchups this week against LAA.
Opening day is finally here! The season starts fresh with sky high expectations heading into a tough opening series at home. The Guardians were a great matchup in 2022 and will be no different in 2023. Also some final thoughts on the MLB roster leaving Peoria. Baseball is back!
Coming in as the premiere free agent acquisition of the offseason for the Mariners, AJ Pollock is here to mash lefties! This was an underrated signing by the front office and Pollock's veteran leadership and ability to crush left handed pitching is going to be vital to this young team.
Kelenic has possibly the most potential out of anyone (Jrod excluded) on the 2023 Mariner starting roster. With inconsistent playing time and a lot of call-ups/send-downs, he has yet to be able to put together consistent PA's at the major league level. Hopefully this year the front office lets him have the time needed to truly develop and adapt to major league pitching. There is so much potential in this young athlete!
Even though JP had a bit of a down year offensively and defensively in 2022, he was still invaluable to the team with his leadership and positive mindset. He is a big part of growing the young team and is a strong voice in the clubhouse. With that being said, as the shift is banned in 2023, it is crucial he has a bounce back year defensively.
Cal will go down with one of the most iconic Seattle sports moments of all time already in his early career. After a powerful year in 2022, what can we expect from him in 2023? One of my favorite players on the current Mariner roster finally gets his own episode.
Teoscar has massive power and a genuinely positive clubhouse vibe. He is coming to Seattle to have fun and mash baseballs. What are the projections for his 2023 season and what can we expect from the former Blue Jays All-Star?
Good Vibes Only in this preview of Geno's 2023 season! Steamer did him dirty and projects a massive regression for the third base slugger. Is that accurate? I get passionate about this one.
Ty is a fan favorite and had a tremendous first half of the season in 2022 before slumping in the final stretch. What are his projections for 2023? Will he be more of the first or second half version of Ty? All of that is discussed in this episode.
Kolten Wong is an exciting addition to this young Mariner club. He has multiple gold glove awards and has a strong veteran presence. In this episode I discuss what his 2023 season is projected to look like and what we could expect from the second baseman.
The Reflection and Projection series continues with our projected opening day leadoff hitter, Julio Rodriguez! He had an incredible season and quickly became a Seattle sports icon. What were some of his big 2022 moments and what can we expect in 2023? All of that is discussed in this episode.
So much going on in this episode. There's an update on Mariner WBC players and their performances in the tournament, some serious Kelenic praise, lots of pitching performance reaction/rotation projection, and finally some middle infield depth issues are discussed. There is also some catcher love at the end because Raleigh and Murphy are going to tear the league up this year.
Marco had a decent year in 2022. It wasn't amazing, but it also wasn't as bad as Mariner twitter would have you think. He was actually better than most playoff teams #5 starter and he was consistently available. Will he have a similar 2023 or will he be out of the rotation by the end of the year?
Kirby had a better Rookie year than anyone could have hoped for in 2022. He was the best rookie pitcher in the major leagues. Will he take an even bigger step forward and end the season near the top of the M's rotation instead of the back end?
The insane tear that Logan started 2022 off on was so cool to see. He had a few rough NYY starts but mostly dominated in his Sophomore year. Can we expect even more growth in 2023 in his third year for the M's?
A look back at the sometimes great and sometimes tough 2022 for the former Cy Young winner as well as a look at what to expect in 2023. The playoff performance looms large in fans minds, can Robbie move past it and regain his 2021 brilliance that appeared throughout in spurts in 2022?
A look back on the 2022 performance from the Mariner Ace as well as a look forward to 2023. Can we expect more dominance anchoring the M's rotation or will the league adjust to him?
Get to know your opponents! A deep dive on the additions and subtractions this offseason of Oakland, Texas, LAA, and Houston. 2023 is going to be a competitive year in the AL West.
There are 10 mariners in the world baseball classic this year and that is awesome! I talk about which 10 players will be competing, some extension discussion regarding DMO and Logil, as well as which non roster invitee's to spring training we should be watching. There's also some divisional realignment discussion with the possible expansion in the coming years.
A lot happened this last weekend. From arbitration avoidance, to international signings, I discuss all of it. There is also a long SP5 tangent with data to back up why the Marco Gonzales slander has gone too far. It is time to start showing a competent SP5 pitcher some love.
It was a busy week for Dipoto as he kicked off 2023. The Mariners signed AJ Pollock, hired a bench coach, and made a very confusing trade. I discuss my thoughts on the signing and what else is needed before opening day to make the roster whole.
I did not mean to combine two controversial subjects into one episode but here we are! Hot topics on social media have included both Jarred Kelenic seemingly being our opening day LF and Jerry Dipoto doing too little or just enough. In this episode I explain why I want JK to be our LF in 2023 and I examine Dipoto's tenure with the organization and if we are actually better off with him at the helm.
Kolten Wong is a Seattle Mariner! We got an upgrade in the middle infield last week without a doubt, but was it enough? That and some of the many winter meeting rumors are discussed on this episode.
Angels are making moves, Haniger's market is heating up, and Kyle Lewis is a Diamondback. Quick news updates and reactions followed by my personal favorite moments from the 2022 season. This year was an incredible ride and I had a lot of fun reminiscing on some of the standout moments.
Jerry Dipoto has once again pulled off an off-season trade for a bat. He may never sign one, but he will always trade for one. Teoscar Hernandez is a Seattle Mariner! Lots of things to discuss with this trade, including the departure of Swanson and some pitching depth. Is Jerry done in the OF? Are there other trade for targets? All of that plus some award talk.
The topic that has been discussed all year, the 2022 FA SS market! Jerry Dipoto does not have a history of signing big free agent positional players, will that change this off-season? This episode is a look at the big four names at shortstop, their approximate cost, and who I think they should (but not necessarily will) sign.
With the long expected Mitch Haniger free agency there is a glaring hole in the outfield and in the Mariner's power bats. I talk about what free agent OF's are out there, who I think would be the best fit, if they should re-sign Haniger, and look at the farm system to see if help is on the way. The offseason is upon us and there is a lot to discuss!
I took my time to mourn the finale of the ALDS and now it is time to reflect on it. The experience was unlike any other, it was by far the best experience I have had at T-Mobile Park. I share my thoughts on the experience of Game 3, and what truly separates the Houston Astros from us and the rest of the League. Also a brief preview of what is to come!
Believe. Positive vibes in this one. Playoff baseball is coming back to Seattle and that is something to celebrate! Takeaways and tough breaks from Game 2 had to be discussed, but in the end there is only happiness that the Mariners will be playing at home in mid October!
Quick raw reaction to the heartbreak that was game 1 of the ALDS against Houston. That was brutal. Postseason baseball is a 3 hour anxiety ridden roller coaster. Let's air out some frustrations and look ahead with some hope. The offense is clicking!
Where were you when the Seattle Mariners ended their 21 year drought? If you are like me, you will remember where you watched the game, who you watched it with, and how you felt for the rest of your life. I get a bit emotional talking about the Mariners securing a playoff spot, and then I break down the Blue Jays starting pitchers and lineup. We all know the Mariner roster and what they've done, so lets take a look at the opponent in the Mariners first playoff series in 21 years.
That was a brutal stretch of baseball to watch. Just how bad has the month of September been for the Mariners offensively? Listen to find out the hitting details on Jp, Frazier, France, Haniger, Haggerty, and more. I also go into a rant at the end on what it feels like to be a Mariner fan right now and why it is okay to be anxious.
What a weekend to forget in LA. Pitching fails and offensive struggles highlight the roadtrip so far. A recap of that series and some talk on postseason pitching rotation scenarios, seeding, Haniger's season, and trying to show the world something is up with Chris Flexen.
What a series win against the defending WS champs! The second best team in the majors (IMO) came into Seattle hot and left cold. Lots of notes to talk about including some Marco love, Julio ROY talk (30-30?), and lots of Haggerty appreciation.
This week had to be a quick one. I touch on the fantastic series with the Guardians and the more depressing one against the White Sox. Spoiler alert, the Mariners looked very hungover in the latter one.
What a series in the Motor City! The Mariners did what they needed to do and the bats are getting hot. Also, Kirby wins AL Rookie of the Month and Ty France looks better than ever.
What a great series at home against Cleveland that was topped off by a massive extension for Julio! I briefly recap all 4 games against the Guardians, talk about the contract and what it means for both sides, and talk about the amazing feeling Seattle baseball has right now in the stadium.
That was a rough stretch! Thankfully we have more to talk about than just some tough losses that should've been wins. I touch on how excited I am for the Mariner Schedule in 2023, Kirby making history, and compare Julio Rodriguez's rookie season to some Mariner legends and rank it. Thanks for giving it a listen!
Mariners drop a disappointing series in Texas then bounce back to sweep the Angels! Lots of good pitching and bad defense to discuss!
What an outstanding season series win against the Yankees! So much to be excited about in this episode as I recap it all. There's also a brief look ahead to the series in Texas this weekend and some Yankee Twitter overreaction this time.
An in-depth recap of the 4 game set against the Angels 8/5-8/7, some thoughts on Santana hitting DH consistently versus playing time for Kelenic/Lewis, and Twitter overreactions.
Welcome to the first episode! This is a fan made podcast about the Seattle Mariners. This episode is a brief introduction of who I am and why I decided to make this, followed by some post trade deadline talk. Did the Mariners actually need a bat? (yes) And did the overpay for Luis Castillo? (no). I'm excited to continually improve every week and keep talking Mariner baseball!