Beavan doing work for Mariners

Blake Beavan went 11-11 last season with a 4.43 ERA and 67 strikeouts. This offseason he gave University of Texas pitching coach Skip Johnson a call to work on his throwing angle and take advantage of his 6'7" frame.

And at least for now (He's throwing in spring training and some of  these players will literally be bagging groceries in a few weeks), it looks like he's improved.

Beavan made his spring debut on Saturday against San Diego, tossing two scoreless innings and generating numerous ground balls. One of the first people he phoned after the game was Johnson.

Mariners pitching coach Carl Willis feels Beavan's new throwing angle and ability to repeat his mechanics helped him "hide" the ball from hitters longer in Saturday's game.

"It looked like the ball was getting on the hitter a little quicker," Willis said. "They were having a tougher time getting started than in the past."

Willis cautioned that it's still early spring and pitchers are mostly ahead of hitters. But he says Beavan is now repeating his delivery not only on fastballs, but also on breaking balls as well.

"It's so huge that he's staying in his (arm) slot," Willis said. "Because last year, with breaking pitches, he was a little inconsistent and I think it sometimes tipped off the hitters. Now, everything looks like a fastball until the ball leaves his hands."

Good, now it may not be just Felix out there throwing well.

(To get your Blake Beavan gear, go here.)

Mariners Commercial: Impressions

I'm glad Ichiro could clear things up...

Mariners already off to good start to the season

Milton Bradley already making Mariner fans feel great about 2011...

LOS ANGELES -- Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley was arrested Tuesday by the Los Angeles Police Department's West Valley branch.

Bradley was booked on a felony charge of uttering criminal threats.

A woman contacted police in the Van Nuys district of Los Angeles about 8:50 a.m. saying a man had threatened her. Bradley was arrested at a residence in Encino, CA.

A criminal threat under California law is a threat of immediate harm made to another person when the defendant intends to, and does, cause fear in the person threatened. The punishment for criminal threats in California is up to three years in state prison. Criminal threats are also considered a strike under the state's three strikes law.

Bradley was released Tuesday afternoon after posting $50,000 bail. He has a court hearing on February 8.

Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik released this statement on Tuesday night:
"After reaching Milton Bradley's representatives tonight I was able to confirm that Milton had been arrested, and subsequently released, in Los Angeles. While we do not yet have full details on what occurred, we are aware of the situation and take it very seriously. We are in the process of determining the full circumstances of what occurred today. Until we have more information, we will not be able to comment further."

Yet another home run in free agency for the Seattle Mariners...

Griffey refuses to suck

We've been talking about how they should bench Junior for a more productive batter and then he goes and does this...

Griffey hits game-winning hit (and drives in Milton Bradley of all people)

I smell winning streak... okay I don't smell winning streak. Sadly this probably garuntees Griffey's spot in the lineup for at least two more months.

MLB lets up on Cliff Lee

Cause this helps so much since Lee has been out with an abdominal strain. Thanks MLB Baseball!

SEATTLE (AP)—Major League Baseball dropped its five-game suspension of Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee(notes), who could be healthy enough to make his Seattle debut by the end of this month.

The 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner threw 70 pain-free pitches in a simulated game Tuesday and was asked how anxious he is to finally pitch for his new team in a game that means something.

“I don’t know if it can get any higher,” Lee said. “For me, it’s the start of the season. I’ve got to get back and help these guys win. … I’m excited.”

While the Mariners have looked better as of late, will Cliff Lee be the catalyst that gets things cooking?

Red Sox get Mike Cameron

Hey remember this guy from Seattle? Well now he's going to be roaming the outfield for my beloved Boston Red Sox. I'm not sure what I think about this...

If the Red Sox are successful in signing Cameron, it further cements a development that has become all but certain in recent days -- Jason Bay will not be returning.

Cameron, a right-handed hitter, could split time with lefty Jeremy Hermida in left. In fact, Cameron would likely serve as an all-purpose backup, allowing center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and right fielder J.D. Drew to get their share of rest.

Cameron, who will turn 37 in January, spent the past two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2009, he hit .250 with 24 homers and 70 RBIs.

A center fielder for most of his career, Cameron has always been a highly regarded defender. He is a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, most recently in 2006.

The problem is, the Sox need so serious juice (pun intended) in the lineup and I'm not sure Cameron provides that. Sure he has a good glove, but he's getting up there in age and will probably only decline at this point.

Reasons why you're still single... Friday Night Baseball

(1) You stay up watching the Seattle Mariners - San Francisco Giants game which went 12 innings and was quite entertained by Dave Sims fake-Griffey grand slam call.

"THERE IS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Going back, back, back, back and it's caught a few feet before the warning track"

The story of Griffey's comeback to Seattle.

(2) You and your buddy try and take the Pittsburgh Pirates to the World Series on MLB 2K8 but realize you can't beat the stinkin' Cincinnati Reds on Rookie mode.