The Mariners cut ties with veteran catcher Tuffy Gosewisch on Thursday, but Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto noted after reporting the move that the decision is tied to the fact that the organization is likely to bring another veteran catcher on board. It’s not immediately clear whether the Mariners are in talks with a free agent or chatting with other clubs about a possible minor swap, though it’s worth noting that the Angels (Juan Graterol) recently designated a catcher for assignment. The free-agent market is thin but includes the likes of Chris Herrmann, Ryan Hanigan, Derek Norris, Geovany Soto and former Mariner Carlos Ruiz.
A bit more on the Mariners…
- Speaking of Seattle catchers, Mike Zunino’s 10-day minimum DL stint is up today but he won’t be immediately rejoining the team, as Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times writes. Zunino is on the DL with a mild oblique strain, though the organization expressed confidence at the time of the injury that Zunino wouldn’t require the type of month-long absence that is commonly associated with oblique issues. There had been some hope that he could be ready for the second game in Minnesota, but manager Scott Servais now says the team plans to “slow Zunino down a little.” The skipper was insistent that there’s been no setback for his catcher, though, characterizing the decision as largely cautious in nature. Meanwhile, Divish also notes that outfielder Ben Gamel is set to embark on a minor league rehab assignment for his own oblique strain, and he gives some positive news on slugger Nelson Cruz as well.
- After seeing how veteran players struggled to find long-term contracts in free agency this winter, Robinson Cano is relieved to have his future spoken for, the second baseman told the New York Times’ Tyler Kepner during Spring Training. Cano’s ten-year, $240MM deal runs through the 2023 season, giving him both security but also added motivation to keep living up to that hefty salary. “I want to earn every penny that I get here. I don’t want to be like those guys that, two or three years into their contract, they do really good and then they don’t care. I do care,” Cano said. “I love this game so much, this is what I dreamed when I was a kid….If you keep working hard, you tell your body that you’re ready to go — not like guys that start sitting down, they’re gaining weight, they don’t care. I have fans out there, I have my son, I have to be a good example. I feel comfortable now because I got the money, but money’s not everything.” It remains to be seen if Cano can successfully fend off the normal decline process as he enters his age-35 season, though it’s hard to argue that he hasn’t delivered for the M’s, hitting .295/.351/.472 with 97 homers over his first four years in Seattle.
- Despite Edwin Diaz’s early-career success, he is still something of a work in progress, TJ Cotterill of the Tacoma News Tribune writes. To this end, Juan Nicasio has already become a veteran mentor to the M’s closer. “He knows how to pitch,” Diaz said. “So I talk to him a lot, how he can teach me how to pitch, too, how to attack hitters to get an out.” Mariners pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. believes Nicasio’s influence will further help Diaz “train his thought process and his mindset,” which is a particularly key facet to the game for Diaz considering that “slowing the game down” helps him better control his mechanics.
Go M’s!
And that’s why Robby Cano is a hall of famer. I wish we could instill that mentality into every player.
Easy to envision Seattle having interest in any of those free agent catchers mentioned. They’re on catcher number 3, Freitas, after Marjama got banged up a bit himself, so additional depth that offers more than Tuffy makes plenty of sense.
Seattle could have a very potent lineup when Cruz, Zunino, and Gamel returns–especially if they recognize that Healy needs AAA seasoning and run with Vogelbach at 1B. They also need Nicasio to find his form (and the missing velocity) and they need Felix to stay focused like he did on opening day.
They’re not in bad shape, but they need a few things to go right.
Well said
I love Vogey but Healy does NOT need seasoning at AAA!
Have you seen his numbers against RHP? Do you realize he missed most of spring?
Healy has a ton of raw power. What he doesn’t have is plate discipline.
Vogelbach has both.
Lineup looks solid so far even though the first base still can’t produce for them. I agree with Felix but with the pitching injuries and being thin already I am hoping someone emerges.
Graterol would probably fit well. Might not hit much but should help the pitchers out
Cano can care all he wants he can’t beat Father Time…..
Cano states that money isn’t everything? He walked away from $175m offer to stay w/Yankees. Total BS!! He had a a shot being in monument park. You can really read btwn the lines that he isn’t happy in Seattle with the direction his team is going
Um how? Haha that doesn’t make any sense.
Yeah, he should of taken a lowball offer and leave $75 million on the table. Not to mention no state income tax coming to Seattle.
What between the lines are you reading? Ignorant Yankee fan.
Sure. Play with a team the balance of his career that will likely not even make the playoffs and WONT win any championships is a great option.
Now that he is on the downside of his career talk about the motivation to stay healthy. His stats have been sliding and his super smooth approach in the field will be appreciated by M’s fans as his defense also slides.
He bought too much of the Jay Z mojo and it is too late. And so much happened with Jay Z’s diversification into sports management that it is deafening.
The offer was not lowball. It was appropriate at the time and today there is not a team in baseball that would give a star THAT age half the contract.
Though we are stuck with the Ellsbury contract it is three years shorter and an outfielder is easier to replace than a second baseman.
So have fun watching the ball going under his glove at a greater rate each month.
In other words, you’re still upset that you didn’t get what you wanted.
The Yankees and Mariners have been to the exact same number of World Series since Cano left.
Wow boys. Sounds like you are upset that the most potent years of his contract are over.
I would have been upset if cano had taken the Yankees up on the “hardship” offer. Second basemen do not age well.
His best years are undisputably when he was wearing a Yankee uniform. You can rationalize all that you want however since his signing it has been down hill for the team (against its lofty expectations) and the team yo-yos that are NO LONGER employed by the M’s.
And as for performance, since cano is gone, how many playoff gawked have the M’s played in?
We on the other hand began shedding obligations and after coming one game from the WS are well positioned and deep to win for the near future.
Do you want to rationalize the holes around Cano?
You apparently want to rationalize that since Cano left, your vaunted Yankees have gone to the same number of World Series as the lowly Mariners.
Cano averaged 5 WAR a year as a Yankee and is averaging 5 WAR a year as a Mariner. Doesn’t sound like his performance has suffered.
Because the Yankees have won so many titles since he left…
Mikeyank. You really think he is going to earn his salary the last 2-3 yrs of that contract? Tell me what late 30 something’s going to be earning his 24m salary? Albatross of a contract and NOT even likely that seattle wins a World Series. So don’t call me an idiot
Lol wrong
Instead of worrying about the Yankees you should be worrying about the Mariners. The Yankees did go through a
successful rebuild. The Mariners on the other hand should have won in the first few years of the contract. They HAVE NOT even been in the playoffs.
You can measure WAR over the length of the contract, however look at his overall stats over the past 5 years and you will see a trend that was anticipated. However it is NOT reversible and WILL ACCELERATE.
With limited resources the contract will further reduce the team’s ability to win.
Agreed. Cano’s numbers would have been much better playing in the AL East with the New York Yankees. It was about money and respect. Two problems he has in Seattle right now; 1) Cano should have moved to 1B as he an overrated defender, 2) Seattle needs another arm, they didn’t get it this offseason. A loaded lineup that can hit with anyone.