The Mariners have settled down a bit from their spring training rampage, letting the rest of the Cactus League catch up with a four game losing streak. Today, they’ll try to repair their reputation against the Kansas City Royals, with Hisashi Iwakuma on the mound against Ervin Santana.

…a great blogger. You’ll be missed, Jeff.

Lookout Landed — Jeff Sullivan, founder of Lookout Landing and baseball blogger extraordinaire, is retiring from Baseball Nation. His entertaining, engaging coverage of the Seattle Mariners, his ability to make even the most mundane moves intriguing, and his dedication to the Mariners community will be dearly missed. You can find his current and upcoming work at FanGraphs and U.S.S. Mariner.

Spring Synopsis: Mariners to win 111 games — In yet another spring training analysis, Matthias Kullowatz separates the meaningful spring training stats from the misleading ones. Will the dinger-crushing Mariners of the Cactus League usher in the AL West-leading Mariners of the regular season? Well, that’s a little bit harder to predict.

Finding Jon Garland — Jon Garland’s return to form this spring looks promising, but is it enough to help a rotation that is already stretched thin this year? Michael Barr examines Garland’s career, his pitch offerings, and the way he might fit with the staff come Opening Day.

Kinney Likely to miss rest of Spring Training — RHP Josh Kinney will be out for several weeks with a stress reaction in his left shoulder. Although he appears confident in a quick and complete recovery, the Mariners won’t be rushing the right-handed reliever’s return anytime soon.

Mariners turned a profit of just under $5.9 million last season — 2012 marked the fourth consecutive year that the Mariners have turned a profit after a disastrous, 101-loss season in 2008. Geoff Baker breaks down the numbers, revealing why Seattle has remained so successful at filling seats while offering underwhelming performances on the field.

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

The Mariners’ 2013 25-man roster is far from finalized, but the media is already starting to buzz with possible starters for the season. Here’s the latest:

• Yesterday, Larry Stone revealed the 16 players he believes are locked into starting positions come April. Those who fall into the “probable, but not guaranteed” category are denoted with asterisks.

Catchers: Jesus Montero, Kelly Shoppach*

First basemen: Justin Smoak, Kendrys Morales

Second baseman: Dustin Ackley

Shortstop: Brendan Ryan

Third baseman: Kyle Seager

Utility infielder: Robert Andino

Outfielders: Michael Morse, Michael Saunders, Franklin Gutierrez, Raul Ibanez

Starting rotation: Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, Joe Saunders

Bullpen: Tom Wilhelmsen, Charlie Furbush, Oliver Perez*, Josh Kinney*

• As for the Big Four, they are still four question marks in the rotation. Stone thinks that Taijuan Walker is the furthest from claiming a spot, while Danny Hultzen has shown the most promise so far. Currently, Hultzen is sidelined with a minor hip strain, but is expected to bounce back within the week.
• Shannon Drayer reports that Michael Morse may see more time in right field than originally expected: “Despite saying that Morse would play mostly left this winter Wedge has had him in mostly right. He has been about what I think most of us expected out there.”
• Wedge has also been tinkering with the leadoff spot, slotting Franklin Gutierrez at the top of the lineup three times this week. “We have been messing around with him up top a bit and we will see how it plays out,” Wedge told Drayer on Saturday.

I really hate pushing the news of an imminent(?) Felix extension down by one post, and feel more than welcome to completely skip this and scroll down a bit, but there was another little tidbit of information passed on by one Ken Rosenthal today via Twitter, who tweeted that the “Mariners are in agreement with [Joe] Saunders on one-year contract, pending a physical.”

Many Mariners fans were pleading for the club to add to the pitching rotation before Spring Training got under way, and though nothing is official yet, it looks as if Jack Z. will do just that by bringing in Joe Saunders. Before I proceed, remember that Saunders was the main piece the Anaheim Angels sent to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Dan Haren, so Saunders must be pretty awesome.

Just kidding. He’s not awesome, but I wouldn’t call him atrocious. Saunders should basically fill the void created in the rotation when Jason Vargas was traded for Kendrys Morales. Matthew over at Lookout Landing wrote a great piece about the similiarities between Jason Vargas and Joe Saunders. He’s a lefty who throws mostly fastballs and changeups and who will probably pitch 180+ not-horrible innings. I would imagine Eric Wedge will slot him into the #3 spot in the rotation behind Hisashi Iwakuma and the probably RECENTLY EXTENDED KING FELIX HERNANDEZ! YEAH!

Sorry.

But the best thing about the possibility of bringing in Joe Saunders: he’s not Hector Noesi. Noesi WAS atrocious last year, and it looked as if he was going to see some time in the rotation this season short of one of the three heads of Cerberus breaking camp with the big club. With Saunders in the fold, the rotation might look like this:

Felix, Iwakuma, Saunders, Ramirez, Beavan

That rotation is probably lacking a legitimate #2 starter that pushes one of Beavan or Ramirez out, but it would look a whole lot worse with Noesi anywhere near it. It lacks something, but also leaves room for growth, which could be another signing, a trade, or one of Danny Hultzen, Taijuan Walker, or James Paxton proving they’re ready.

No, Joe Saunders on a one-year deal certainly shouldn’t hurt.*

*Edit: Especially at the reported $6.5MM price tag. Apparently incentives can make it $7.5MM, but that’s still pretty darn cheap. I like this move.

Merry Christmas, Mariner fans.

Yesterday, Jack Zduriencik made his first trade of the offseason, swapping No. 2 starter Jason Vargas for the Angels’ first baseman and designated hitter Kendrys Morales.

Over 33 starts in 2012, Jason maintained a 3.85 ERA over 217.1 IP, his lowest since 2010. Vargas struggled to keep the ball in Safeco Field, accounting for 35 home runs in what was once a pitcher’s park. When he was good, he was very good, finishing the season with a sparkling seven inning performance against Oakland, granting the soon-to-be playoff contenders five hits, a run, and seven strikeouts. When he was bad, things got ugly—for instance, his season-low performance in Arizona, where he sent the Mariners spiraling after giving up nine hits, ten runs, five home runs, and two walks in just 4.1 IP.

In Kendrys Morales, the Mariners find the missing middle-of-the-order hitter they had hoped to secure with the Michael Pineda-Jesus Montero trade last winter. Morales has somewhat successfully bounced back from two injury-laden seasons, caused in part by his new home team.

“That injury occurred when he landed awkwardly while jumping into a group of teammates at home plate after hitting a walk-off grand slam off Mariners closer Brandon League in Anaheim on May 29, 2010.” — Greg Johns, Mariners.com

Last season, Kendrys batted .273/.320/.467 in 522 PA with 22 home runs and a .339 wOBA. Morales peaked in 2009, with a .306 average, 4.0 bWAR, and fifth place in the MVP award voting. According to Greg Johns’ wrap-up, the 29-year-old has fared well in Seattle so far, managing seven home runs, a .292 average, and .904 OPS over 34 games. One can only hope that the shortened fences will work in his favor, while Jason finds the spacious dimensions of Angel Stadium more to his liking.

By this time next year, both Vargas and Morales will be free agents. Last season, Vargas fed on a $4.85M contract, while Morales topped out at $2.98M.

With a potential power hitter gracing the Mariners’ lineup, the team turns to its rotation once again. Rumors cropped up early in the offseason, hinting that Jack Z put another starter on his Christmas wish list. Today, it is a pressing need, lest we see Eric Wedge throw Hector Noesi back in the mix. Although much remains to be tested and proven in the months to come, Jack and Wedge are looking at a rotation captained by King Felix and followed by a combination of Hisashi Iwakuma, Erasmo Ramirez, Danny Hultzen, Taijuan Walker, James Paxton, or Brandon Maurer.

Jack may still have a few more surprises up his sleeve this winter, but at least through the holiday weekend, Mariner fans can finally sleep peacefully.

This week, the Mariners take a look at some catching depth, Brendan Ryan is awarded another defensive title, and the Javelinas make a push for the playoffs.

• Hardball Talk reports that Hisashi Iwakuma will not represent Japan in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Instead, he intends to focus on the upcoming 2013 season in Seattle.
• From Jon Heyman’s Twitter account: “#mariners have reached out to russell martin & mike napoli. also looking at corner OF bats.” The Yankees and Red Sox have expressed interest in Napoli, while the Red Sox and Rangers are currently linked to Martin.
• John Dewan of the Fielding Bible named Brendan Ryan and Dustin Ackley the Best Double Play Combo in 2012, with a combined 38 DRS. Close on their heels were Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro with 31 DRS.
• With three games remaining before the AFL Championship on Saturday, the Peoria Javelinas are clinging to a half-game lead over their division rivals, the Surprise Saguaros. They are coming off of a three-game losing streak, punctuated by Carson Smith’s loss and Logan Bawcom’s blown save. The singular highlight of the Mariners’ performance was a banner day from Vinnie Catricala, who went 2-for-4 against the Mesa Solar Sox with an RBI double, single, and walk.

This week, the baseball blogosphere is brimming with minor league moves and projected 2013 lineups. Whether you’re eying Billy Hamilton, Zack Greinke, or Mike Napoli, there are rumors to satisfy your wildest dreams for the 2013 Mariners.

Minor League Free Agents 2012 — Baseball America’s Matt Eddy recently released the complete list of MiLB free agents this offseason. Check back here often as the Hot Stove heats up.

Seattle Mariners trade scenario: Chase Headley — This week’s trade proposition is brought to you by Jonathan Irwin of NW Sports Beat, who suggests a simple three-step plan to refining Seattle’s infield.

What You Didn’t Know About Hisashi Iwakuma — Whether the Hisashi Iwakuma re-signing has you upset, excited, or just confused, Jeff Sullivan is here to break down Iwakuma’s 2012 performance.

The Problem With Trades — Not to kill your hopes for an exciting offseason, but Dave Cameron narrows the pool of potential trade partners to a handful of teams, and explains why the Mariners may not be in a rush to move pieces of their own.

Offseason Target: Zack Greinke — As we wait for the first Mariners trade rumor to surface (besides the tired idea that Felix Hernandez is headed to New York), Prospect Insider is busy evaluating each worthy trade target. This week, Adam Wong examines the pros and cons of signing Zack Greinke.

A Brief History Of Seattle Mariners Position Players Pitching — Finally, some fun stuff. Unfortunately, none of these players touch Scott Savastano’s 1-2-3 inning and subsequent walk-off home run or the fleeting joy of watching Miguel Olivo warm up.

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

The Mariners have made their first offseason selection outside of the team. Fortunately for San Francisco, this particular outfielder is now as far as possible from making a return to AT&T Park.

• Mariners claimed outfielder Scott Cousins off waivers this afternoon, increasing their outfield depth to eight players on the 40-man roster. Cousins was previously claimed and released by the Blue Jays this October, following a three-year MLB career with the Miami Marlins. In 2012, he batted .163/.200/.267 in 53 games for the Marlins and .296/.364/.459 in 61 games for the AAA New Orleans Zephyrs. (via Sosnick Cobbe Sports)
• In an interview with the press, Hisashi Iwakuma revealed that much of his decision to re-sign with Seattle was based on family reasons. (via Greg Johns/Mariners.com)
• Nick Franklin and Vinnie Catricala both put up impressive performances as the Peoria Javelinas inch towards the end of the 2012 AFL season. In a 13-6 drubbing of the Phoenix Desert Dogs, Franklin went 5-for-4 with a pair of doubles and singles, driving in six runs and accounting for one. Catricala went 3-for-5 with a double, two base hits, and two runs—easily his most impressive performance in offseason play to date.

With the biggest piece of the team still waiting on an extension, the Mariners have begun to form their 2013 squad, starting with the remaining members of their pitching staff.

• As detailed by Greg Johns, Hisashi Iwakuma reached an agreement with the Mariners prior to the Saturday deadline, signing a two-year extension for $13M. Additionally, he has a $7M option for 2015.
• Following news of Iwakuma’s extension, the Mariners re-signed southpaw Oliver Perez to a one-year, $1.5M contract. According to Jon Heyman, Perez is sitting on a potential $600,000 in performance bonuses.
• In the AFL Rising Stars game this Saturday, the Mariners participants went 1-for-5 in a 9-4 loss by the AFL West Division. Mike Zunino subbed for Tampa Bay shortstop Hak-Ju Lee and stranded two baserunners. Nick Franklin started at second base and picked up one base hit. James Paxton followed Minnesota starter Kyle Gibson, logging two hits, a walk, and two strikeouts in an inning of relief.
• This weekend, Edgar Martinez’s wife Holli re-routed her plan to run the NYC marathon, which was cancelled by Hurricane Sandy. In its place, she and Edgar are hosting a marathon of their own on Sunday and donating all the proceeds to the relief efforts of New York Cares.

The Mariners are about to enter into a crucial off-season in which the front office has made clear that it will be active. There will be moves made to improve this team for 2013 and beyond, whether it be solely through free agency or with the acquisition of players via trade. One question, however, has been eating at me these past few days. If the 2012 Mariners were foods, which would they be?

John Jaso – Pumpkin. Pumpkin is probably one of my favorite flavors but, because the higher-ups in the world have decided that it doesn’t match up well with the other seasons, we are only allowed to enjoy it for a small portion of the year. I can’t think of a flavor that is more underutilized than pumpkin.

Brendan Ryan – Spinach. I used to hate spinach. Hate it. I think I mostly hated it, though, because I was told to hate it. Spinach has the unfortunate fate of being labeled as unappetizing by many. As I’ve grown older and wiser, however, I’ve learned to like spinach. A lot. Sure, I wouldn’t want to eat spinach for every meal, but it’s a solid side dish.

Dustin Ackley – Mixed Drink. Except the drink wasn’t mixed properly. In the first sip, we got all of the sugary mixer. It was delicious. We thought the whole drink was going to be amazing. Well, guess what we’re left with now? Straight vodka. I don’t know about you, but that wasn’t what I was expecting. And, frankly, this drink sucks now.

Chone Figgins – A Half Pint Of Milk. That expired three years ago. Why is this still in the fridge? Why hasn’t anybody thrown this away yet?

Justin Smoak – Homemade red wine. We invested a lot to make this red wine. We gave up a lot of time and resources making this wine. It’s wine, so it has to be good, right? Nope. It’s cool that we made it though, right? No, because it’s terrible. But it will get better with age, right? Probably not. Couldn’t get much worse though!

Jason Vargas – Bubble Gum. With bubble gum, you know what you’re going to get. Sure, some may be sweeter than others, but you can’t really be too surprised with gum. Sometimes, though when you try to blow a bubble, it will blow up and you’ll be left with a real mess. All over your face.

Hisashi Iwakuma – Ramune. If you don’t know what Ramune is, welcome to my life three years ago. They started selling it in my dorm though, and I bought it. It was some kind of Japanese soda and I really had no idea what to expect. After I finished my first, I realized that I actually really liked it. A lot. Over the next few months. I had a lot of ramune. I hope to have a lot more in the future too.

Blake Beavan – Triscuits. Has anybody ever been really excited because somebody had Triscuits at a party? Not that I know of. Does it get more bland? I don’t think so. Sometimes, though, you’re hungry. Starving. All you have are Triscuits. Will they get you full? Technically, yes. Will you enjoy it? Not a chance.

Franklin Gutierrez – A bunch of grapes. Oh look! This looks good! Nevermind, it’s squished. Here’s one! Ewww… rotten. How about this one? A bug ate half of it. Why do I even bother trying?

Jesus Montero – Strawberries. In May. These things are going to be so good soon. You can see it. If we eat them right now, though, we’ll be disappointed. Don’t expect much for a few more months. They’re going to be so sweet eventually.

Carter Capps and Stephen Pryor – Sprinkles. Everybody likes sprinkles. They’re sweet, but you only get a few at a time. They’re pointless if you don’t have a cake to put them on though.

Felix Hernandez – Pizza. Ask 50% of adults and 100% of kids what their favorite food is. Pizza. Pizza has a little bit of everything – vegetables, proteins, breads, even fruit sometimes. Pizza can do it all and it does a pretty damn good job. In one word, it’s perfect.

Miguel Olivo – Durian. Definitions of durian from across the internet: “evokes intense disgust.” “Described variously as rotten onions and gym socks.” “If the smell doesn’t kill you, the taste will.”

Munenori Kawasaki – Pop Rocks. What are Pop Rocks, anyway? What’s the point? Why do they do what they do? How do they do what they do? Nobody mistakes Pop Rocks for real food, but they sure are fun. And completely ridiculous.

Final score: Mariners 6, Angels 1

Unlike the stone-faced foes of the Doctor, these Angels are not liable to kill more than the Mariners’ chances of winning a baseball game. Tonight, however, they were powerless—not, as one might expect, against King Felix, but against Hisashi Iwakuma.

For his third consecutive win, and ninth on the season, Iwakuma allowed six hits and a walk. He struck out seven batters, retiring Mike Trout on four pitches and sending Albert Pujols down swinging three times. In sixteen starts, this marked Iwakuma’s fifth outing with at least six strikeouts. Prior to tonight, his most recent attempt was another 7-strikeout effort against the Angels on September 2.

On the heels of the Mariners’ announcement to restructure the fences, every ball hit in the direction of an outfield wall was imagined in its 2013 resting place. Kyle Seager cleared the fences with a moon shot to right field, while Casper Wells and Michael Saunders smacked several pitches to the warning track.

In a pre-2013 Safeco Field, Saunders, John Jaso, and Jesus Montero followed Seager’s home run with a no-doubt double and a pair of base hits. Not to be excluded, Mark Trumbo ensured at least two RBIs with a handful of throwing errors. Overly grateful, the Mariners returned the favor in the 9th, botching a shutout on a ground ball that tripped Tom Wilhelmsen and popped off Saunders’ glove.

Tomorrow, the Mariners return to Safeco Field for the series finale and their last game of the season. Fighting to skew the series split in their favor will be Blake Beavan and RHP Jered Weaver.

Last game: vs. Angels | October 3 | 3:40pm