Mariners Winter League Report
Franklin Gutierrez is playing for the Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League. (Getty Images)
Here is the latest edition of the Mariners weekly Winter League Report.
It is great to see Franklin Gutierrez back on the field getting work in (and playing well) after being limited to 40 games and 150 at-bats in his injury-riddled 2012 season. Gutierrez is playing for Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League and is batting .297 (11×37) with 6 runs scored, 2 doubles, 1 home run and 3 RBI in 10 games. Guti has hit safely in 4 of his last 5 games, batting .444 (8×18) with 5 runs scored, 2 doubles and 2 walks.
The Winter Meetings
The Major League Baseball Winter Meetings unofficially kicked off tonight in Nashville as a large contingent from each Major League team (and minor league team) arrived at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.
Over the next four days, Nashville will be the center of the baseball world, with lots of rumors on prospective trades, and each team meeting to discuss the upcoming season. The Mariners contingent includes several members of the Baseball Operations staff, led by General Manager Jack Zduriencik. Over the next few days Jack and his group will meet to talk about prospective players they can add to the roster through free agency, trades and the Rule 5 Draft. There are no guarantees that any deals will get done, but there is a ton of work being put in behind the scenes that will leave no rock unturned.
We will try to update you as best as possible in regards to news coming out of Nashville, but we highly recommend you follow the Seattle beat writers that made the trek to Nashville:
- Greg Johns – Mariners.com | Blog | Twitter
- Ryan Divish – Tacoma News Tribune | Blog | Twitter
- Geoff Baker – Seattle Times | Blog | Twitter
You can also follow Mariners-related news through Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
To start the meetings off, Zduriencik will be on the MLB Network at 9:30 am CT (7:30 am Seattle time) and XM Radio at 9:45 Monday morning. We’ll try to post archived video and audio from both interviews.
Here is picture tonight of the Mariners Baseball Operations staff meeting in their “War Room”.
Mariners Winter League Report
Stefen Romero was named to the Topps Double-A All-Star team. (photo by Joseph Pun/Peoria Sports Complex)
The Hot Stove League is heating up, and several Mariners are off playing in various Winter Leagues. You can find all the statistics and player notes in the latest installment of the Mariners Winter League Report.
Of note, in consecutive days, a Mariners prospect has been named to the Topps All-Star Team. Infielder Stefen Romero was selected to the Double-A team yesterday, and catcher John Hicks was selected to the Single-A Team today.
Minor League Awards & Winter Meetings Preview
The Hot Stove League is in full swing with the Winter Meetings being held next week in Nashville. Mariners.com beat writer Greg Johns wrote a feature about what to expect from the Mariners contingent in Nashville.
And we have more good news to pass along about our minor leaguers. The Arizona Fall League recently concluded with the Peoria Javelinas capturing the league championship. Eight Javelinas represented the Mariners organization: Vinnie Catricala, Nick Franklin, Stefen Romero, Mike Zunino, Logan Bawcom, Bobby LaFromboise, James Paxton and Carson Smith.
And here are some interesting notes that have popped up lately on the interent:
- Mike Zunino and Nick Franklin were named to the Arizona Fall League Top Prospect Team. The Mariner were one of seven organizations to boast two representatives on the AFL Prospect list.
- Mike Zunino (#3), Nick Franklin (#10) and James Paxton (#25) were touted by MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo as top Arizona Fall League prospects.
- Stefen Romero was selected to the Topps Double-A® All-Star team.
- Danny Hultzen did a Q&A with David Laurila on FanGraphs.com.
A full Winter League Report will be posted later today with detailed information on Mariners around the Winter Leagues.
Mike Zunino, Nick Franklin and James Paxton were selected to the MLB.com Arizona Fall League Top Prospect Team. (photos by Joseph Pun/City of Peoria)
Mariners Winter League Report
Mike Zunino is interviewed by MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo (@JonathanMayoB3) following the Arizona Fall League Championship.
The Peoria Javelinas were crowned the Arizona Fall League champions after defeating the Salt River Rafters 4-3 Saturday. C Mike Zunino led the Javlinas with 2 RBI, going 3-for-5. He had RBI singles in both the first and second innings to give Peoria 3-0 lead. 2B Nick Franklin (0×5) and RHP Carson Smith (1.0,1,0,1,2) also appeared in the game.
Here is the latest installment of the Mariners Winter League Report.
Mariners Winter League Report
Mariners pitcher Erasmo Ramirez (pictured in his Cardenales de Lara uniform) will pitch for Nicaragua in the upcoming WBC qualifier in Panama City.
Here is the latest installment of the Mariners Winter League Report.
Mariners Winter League Report
Nick Franklin is among the Arizona Fall League leaders with 19 RBI. (Jordan Megenhardt/MLB.com)
Here is the latest edition of the Mariners Winter League Report. You can also track the progress Mariners players in various winter leagues via the stat page at Mariners.com.
Mariners Winter League Report
Stefen Romero has hit safely in 7 of 8 games he has appeared with the Javelinas, batting .375 (12×32) with 4 runs, 1 double, 1 home run and 6 RBI. (Joseph Pun/Peoria Sports Complex)
Here is the latest edition of the Mariners Winter League Report. The Arizona Fall League will announce the rosters for the annual Rising Stars game tomorrow.
Mariners Winter League Report
Here is the latest edition of the Mariners Winter League Report.
Mariners Hire Dave Hansen as Hitting Coach
Dave Hansen was named the Mariners Hitting Coach today.
Today the Mariners hired Dave Hansen as the Major League hitting coach. Dave is a veteran of 15 Major League seasons, including his last two with the Mariners in 2004-05. Considered one of the best pinch-hitter in Major League history, Dave brings a wealth of hitting knowledge to the big league coaching staff.
Here are some articles that ran today on Hansen joining the Mariners coaching staff:
- Mariners.com – Mariners hire Hansen as new hitting coach (Greg Johns)
- Dave Hansen on the Kevin Calabro Show (ESPN 710 Seattle)
- MyNorthwest.com – Mariners Bring Back Familiar Name as Hitting Coach (Shannon Drayer)
- Seattle Times – New M’s Hitting Coach Dave Hansen Eager for Challenge (Larry Stone)
- Tacoma News Tribune – Mariners Hire Dave Hansen as Hitting Coach (Ryan Divish)
- SportsPressNW – Huge Job Ahead for Mariners New Coach (John Hickey)
“I think Dave will be a good addition to our big league staff,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. “He’s had success as both a coach and a player, and has a clear vision of how to help prepare our hitters to be successful.”
Hansen was the Major League hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers from July 20, 2011 through the 2012 season. He joined the Dodgers as their Major League hitting instructor in 2011. Prior to joining the Dodgers, Hansen spent four seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks minor league system. He was the minor league hitting coordinator for three seasons (2008-2010) after beginning his professional coaching career in 2007 as the hitting coach at AA Mobile.
Hansen played 15 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Dodgers (1990-96, 1999-2002), Cubs (1997), Padres (2003, 2004) and Mariners (2004, 2005). He played in a pair of postseasons with the Dodgers in 1995 and 1996. Known as one of baseball’s best pinch-hitters, he set a Major League record with 7 pinch-hit homers in 2000 (later tied). He also holds the Dodgers record for most pinch hits in a season (18 in 1993) and a career (110). He led the Dodgers in pinch hits in six different seasons (1993, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001). In his Major League career overall, he hit .260 (466×1230) with 79 doubles, 6 triples, 35 home runs and 222 RBI in 1,230 games. Dave also played for Hanshin (Japan) in 1998.
