Last night, Shannon Drayer, Matt Pitman, and the crew of the 710 ESPN Radio network broadcast a live Hot Stove League Show from the Alderwood Mall.

Their first two guests, Jack Zduriencik and Eric Wedge, were none too forthcoming about the Mariners’ hand in free agent dealings, but spoke candidly about their hopes for the team in the coming season. Wedge, who prank texted the GM during his segment, let slip that Brendan Ryan was not to so much as touch a bat during the offseason—a rule, he guessed, had been broken once or twice already.

Future live tapings of the Hot Stove League Show will resume on January 8, 2013. You can find Shannon’s rundown of the show on MyNorthwest.com, and upcoming events listed in the sidebar. On to today’s links!

Josh Hamilton Still Available, Mariners Still Looking — For you Hamilton hopefuls out there, here’s a whole lot of non-news. However, one remark Jack made during yesterday’s show is that players like to get deals made before the holidays. True, it’s a cryptic and meaningless comment, but read into it as much as you like.

Should M’s Make a Play for R.A. Dickey? — In the likely event that Texas manages to wrangle Hamilton from the Mariners’ shiny five-year offer (because really, how else would they lure him?), Dave Cameron suggests a non-detestable, quite affordable Plan B: R.A. Dickey.

Potential new developments — In light of the recent Indians-Reds-Diamondbacks blockbuster, Jason Churchill examines the remaining free agents and selects those that would fit well with Seattle. Here’s a hint: Josh Hamilton, Nick Swisher, and Justin Upton aren’t on that list.

Greinke signing highlights Mariners’ dilemma with Felix Hernandez — The asking price for starting pitchers, especially those of King Felix’s caliber, is going way, way up. Larry Stone looks at the recent extensions for top tier pitchers and imagines how the Mariners will need to handle Felix’s upcoming contract renewal.

We’ve officially entered a baseball age of prospect overdose — Geoff Baker ruminates on the perceived value of prospects, and how they affect the mentality of GMs when it comes to building toward a great future or preparing to win in the present.

What have you read this week? Share it with us on Twitter or in the comments below!

As the major-league Mariners take a much-needed vacation this offseason, we turn our attention to the prospects and minor leaguers making headway—and headlines—in the 2012 Arizona Fall League.

Of the Peoria Javelinas, an affiliate team shared by the Mariners, Reds, Twins, Phillies, and Padres, Seattle has eight representatives:

• RHP Logan Bawcom
• RHP Carson Smith
• LHP James Paxton
• LHP Bobby LaFromboise
• C Mike Zunino
• SS Nick Franklin
• 3B Vinnie Catricala
• 3B Stefen Romero

In their first game, a match-up against division rivals Surprise Saguaros, the Javelinas notched a 5-2 win.

Nick Franklin, batting 9th, playing SS: 1-for-4 with a single
James Paxton, SP: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 SO
Carson Smith, WP: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO
Bobby LaFromboise, RP: 1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO
Logan Bawcom, RP: 1.0 IP, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SO

For up-to-date rosters, news, and recaps, check out the official website of the Arizona Fall League.

Credit: camknows/Flickr

Happy One-Week-Till-Opening-Day Day! To celebrate, here is a whole list of articles on everything from injury updates to obscure catchers and interesting facts about the Mariners’ owner.

More Roster Moves — Shannon Drayer explains recent roster moves, from the reason why Robinson was not slated as a replacement for Gutierrez, to the difference between being optioned vs. re-assigned to the minors.

Hong-Chih Kuo Released — Speaking of roster moves, here’s what an extra spot on the 40-man means for all the pitchers who weren’t released this week.

Will Mariners’ majority owner Hiroshi Yamauchi finally watch his team play? — Fun fact of the day, courtesy of Larry Stone: Mariners’ owner Hiroshi Yamauchi has never seen them play. I don’t know if that means he never sat in the stands in Seattle, or if he never bothered turning on his TV. (That’s a lie; I read the article, so I do know, and I’m not telling you to pique your interest.)

The Mariners Catching Situation — Bryant Bartlett is here to educate the masses on a whole lot of catchers whose names I don’t ever recall hearing. That’s probably why this is a ‘situation.’

Today’s lineup and an Adam Moore update — Remember Adam Moore? The backup catcher who hurt his wrist, or his hand, in a game against the Reds? Greg Johns has the latest on his recovery. Also, it should be noted that the lineup mentioned is not today’s lineup, so check back on Needle Ball for current game information. Or don’t; I’m sure the lineup will be fairly similar.

Gutierrez swinging, not yet ready to throw — Geoff Baker brings us a brief update on Franklin Gutierrez.

Mariners’ foundation starts with man in charge — Peter Gammons takes us behind the scenes to look at the man in charge of your favorite Seattle prospect’s future career: Eric Wedge.

What have you read this week? Share it with us in the comments!

Final Score: Mariners – 8, Reds – 1

Two of the starters competing for spots in the starting rotation both pitched against the Cincinnati Reds today and the results couldn’t have been much better from either of them. Prior to Spring Training it was almost assumed that Hisashi Iwakuma and Kevin Millwood would be slotted among the starters, but mediocre (even poor) Spring Training performances have put some doubt in the minds of Mariners fans and, presumably, Eric Wedge. Today, however, both pitchers threw and both pitchers impressed.

Millwood lasted five innings, giving up his only run in the bottom of the fourth. He struck out five batters, including two each in the second and third innings. Iwakuma took over in the sixth and pitched for three innings, giving up no runs. Although he did get hit around a bit (he gave up five), he was able to get out of jams. Of course, he did put himself in those jams in the first place, but it was a good outing. Lucas Luetge took over in the bottom of the ninth and continued his impressive spring training, finishing out the game with two strikeouts and a groundout.

As has been the case throughout the past month, the Mariners’ bats were alive and well against the Reds. Carlos Peguero was the star of the day, hitting 2-5 with a 2-run home run and bases-loaded single that drove in two. Kyle Seager had another strong day, going 3-5 with three doubles and two runs scored. Even Munenori Kawasaki got in on the action with three hits of his own.

Casper Wells continued to struggle, going 0-3 with two strikeouts. With the successful spring campaign Peguero is putting together, it is going to be interesting to see who ends up landing on the 25-man roster as a fourth outfielder or if the team is content to stick with Carp, Saunders, Ichiro and Figgins.

Jesus Montero had a mixed day, going 1-4 with two runs scored and two strikeouts. He did throw out Brandon Phillips in a steal attempt in the bottom of the first, which was good to see.

The Mariners play the Chicago White Sox tomorrow at 1:05 and look to finish the first part of their Spring Training schedule off with a win. They will then depart to Japan and play the Hanshin Tigers on Saturday and the Yomiuri Giants on Saturday and Monday in exhibition games. Believe it or not, the first game of the season is in seven days and eleven hours.

Japan is only two days away! Actually, it’s more like four days, since the Mariners don’t have their first exhibition game until Saturday.

Still, we’ve almost made it through Spring Training! I mean, if you don’t count the Cactus League games after the Japan series. You get the point.

Yesterday, the Mariners announced that the Opening Series against the A’s is completely sold out. If you’re still planning a trip to Tokyo, try for one of the exhibition games.

Finally, today’s lineups:

Seattle: SS Kawasaki, 2B Rodriguez, LF Carp, C Montero, 3B Seager, 1B Liddi, DH Catricala, RF Peguero, CF Wells, RHP Millwood.

Cincinnati: 2B Brandon Phillips, SS Zack Cozart, 1B Joey Votto, 3B Scott Rolen, RF Jay Bruce, LF Ryan Ludwick, CF Drew Stubbs, C Ryan Hanigan, LHP Jeff Francis.

You can listen to the game online at Mariners.com and again on 710 ESPN Seattle at 7pm.

I bet you weren’t expecting Jason Vargas to hand over 7 runs to the Cubs in the 1st inning. I bet you weren’t expecting Ichiro to flatten Travis Wood’s fastball for his first Cactus League home run. I bet you weren’t expecting Jesus Montero and Kyle Seager to smash back-to-back homers.

Unfortunately, you probably were expecting that this unexpected run support would run out. And you were right. Steve Delabar put the Mariners through a rough inning in the 8th, allowing Chicago to take a 4-run lead on four hits and a walk. By the 9th, that lead sprouted to five runs, and try as they might, the only retaliation the M’s mustered up were a pair of walks.

Sure, it’s just Spring Training. One poor outing doesn’t spell disaster for Jason Vargas—or, I hope, Steve Delabar. This is the time of the year when we see things we normally wouldn’t see, like home runs from Ichiro and 1st inning blowouts by the Cubs. That being said, I feel like Seattle might have a surprise or two in store for us this season.

Tomorrow, the Mariners play their last away game before the trip to Japan. They will play without LHP Hong-Chih Kuo, who was released this morning after putting up a 17.55 ERA over 6 appearances.

Next game: @ Reds | March 20 | 1:05pm

HoHoKam Stadium currently houses the Chicago Cubs, but will accommodate the Athletics as soon as 2015. (Credit: Chuck Reynolds/Flickr)

Today, the Mariners play overlapping away games against the Rockies and Cubs. The B squad faced Colorado at Salt River Fields at 10am, while a different squad of Mariners will take on the Cubs in HoHoKam Stadium at 12:05pm.

The lineups:

Mariners @ Rockies (B Game)

Seattle: SS Miller, 1B Jaso, 3B Catricala, C Sucre, CF Robinson, DH Jimenez, RF Chavez, LF Chiang, 2B Romero, RHP Noesi.

Colorado: 2B Eric Young Jr., RF Brendan Harris, 3B Brandon Wood, 1B Chad Tracy, DH Ben Paulsen, LF Andrew Brown, SS DJ LeMahieu, CF Jamie Hoffman, C Lars Davis, RHP Rob Scahill.

Mariners @ Cubs

Seattle: 2B Ackley, CF Saunders, DH Montero, 1B Smoak, 3B Seager, C Olivo, RF Peguero, LF Wells, SS Kawasaki, RHP Kevin Millwood.

Chicago: RF David DeJesus, CF Marlon Byrd, SS Starlin Castro, 3B Ian Stewart, LF Alfonso Soriano, 1B Anthony Rizzo, 2B Jeff Baker, DH Reed Johnson, C Welington Castillo, RHP Chris Volstad.

This will be Ackley’s second time batting leadoff. He last headed the lineup on March 5 against the Padres, and went 3-for-3 with a single, double, and triple.

In non-game related news, catcher Adam Moore fractured his wrist during the Reds game this Tuesday. Greg Johns has the full injury report here, but it’s safe to say Moore will be in recovery for at least six weeks.

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You can catch the Cubs game on Gameday and MLB.com, although the 710 ESPN broadcast won’t be aired until this evening at 7pm. For B game coverage, make sure to check out the Mariners’ official blog.

That’s right, I just pulled a High School Musical reference on you. Let’s hope there won’t be many more of those coming.

Today, the Mariners got to choose from a platter of walks, singles, and sacrifice flies to score 8 runs. Alex Liddi stole a base. Casper Wells tried to steal a base. Adam Moore had the biggest scoring play with a 2-out double that drove in Liddi and Johermyn Chavez.

Felix delivered three perfect innings in his first Spring Training appearance, throwing 26 strikes in 35 pitches and striking out four batters. Of his following six replacements, Hong-Chih Kuo had the roughest outing, giving up a three-run bomb to pinch-hitter Denis Phipps.

Speaking of mistakes, this also happened:

@gbakermariners Smoak singles to right, Kawasaki held at third. Ichiro doesn’t see stop sign, goes to third as well and gets tagged out in rundown.

Tomorrow, the Mariners pack their bags for the Tempe Diablo Stadium to face the Angels, get a taste of Albert Pujols, and make their first Spring Training appearance on MLB.TV.

Next game: @ Angels | March 7 | 12:05pm

This is where the Mariners played yesterday. This is not where they will be playing today. (Credit: Brian Baute/Flickr)

There has been all kinds of news floating around camp lately. Yesterday, the Mariners and Padres extended their lease to stay in Peoria through 2034. Edgar Martinez has arrived to observe and coach the campers. This morning, Carlos Guillen announced his retirement.

And now, in what seems like less exciting news, today’s lineups:

Seattle: SS Figgins, 2B Kawasaki, RF Ichiro, 1B Smoak, LF Carp, CF Wells, 3B Liddi, DH Chavez, C Moore, RHP Hernandez.

Cincinnati: 2B Kristopher Negron, LF Willie Harris, CF Daryl Jones, DH Ryan Ludwick, RF Chris Heisey, 1B Miguel Cairo, C Ryan Hanigan, 3B Wilson Valdez, SS Paul Janish, RHP Mat Latos.

Felix gets his first Spring Training start today against the newly acquired Mat Latos. This will be the first opportunity for Reds fans to see Latos in action after nabbing him from the Padres this offseason.

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You can follow the game online with the MLB.com broadcast and Gameday play-by-play.

The Mariners did not lose this game. They put up thirteen runs to San Diego’s seven, which is very respectable. I would be thrilled with a regular season game that ended 13-7 in the Mariners’ favor. But for some reason, today’s victory felt a little underwhelming.

Perhaps I am irrationally bummed out because the younger Mariners lost the B Game to the Reds.

Perhaps it’s because of my high(er) expectations for Hisashi Iwakuma, who lasted one inning, striking out one batter and giving up three hits and an unearned run. He threw low-80s splitters and sliders, and two 83 MPH splitters were chopped into singles by Yonder Alonso and Nick Hundley. I know, I know… I can’t be hard to please on the fourth game of Spring Training. I can’t be hard to please on any day of Spring Training, but I’m ready to see something, anything decent from Iwakuma. That strikeout was nice, I guess. (And, if we’re playing the blame game, Oliver Perez gave up four runs during his inning.)

Perhaps it’s because Dustin Ackley allowed that first runner to reach base on a fielding error, then Brendan Ryan put up two errors, then someone I’ve never heard of (Alfredo Morales) allowed Jonathan Galvez to score on another fielding error.

Perhaps—and this would make the most sense—I am just bitter because I couldn’t listen to the game online or get Gameday to work.

Whatever the reason, there were a lot of bright spots to balance out today’s game. Ackley and Ryan kicked off the first inning with back-to-back doubles. Scott Patterson, George Sherrill, and Tom Wilhelmsen threw three perfect innings. Michael Saunders scored on Ryan’s double play. Backup catcher Adam Moore took Cory Burns deep for his first home run. Francisco Martinez, Carlos Peguero, and Luis Rodriguez hit three singles in the 9th to drive in four more runs.

And, of course, the Mariners won 13-7. There’s always that.

Tomorrow, the Mariners kick the Padres out of Peoria to host the Reds. It’s not another B-squad game, which means if Seattle wins, it counts. As much as a Spring Training game can count for anything, that is.

Next game: vs. Reds | March 6 | 12:05pm