The Hot Stove

Rick, Aaron and Shannon talk to Mariners IF/OF Shawn O'Malley who talks about the team speed the team has and the benefit of versitility. He also shares a story about trying to get a lineup card signed by the team. Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times talks about some of the stories in camp and talks about the mythical Scott Servais Twitter account. Servais is trying to get him working out with "Iron Glenn".

In the inaugural 2017 Cactus League Report, Rick Rizzs, Aaron Goldsmith and Shannon Drayer talk to Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto who made a trade minutes before the show acquiring starting pitcher Chris De Jong from the Dodgers for SS Drew Jackson and P Aneurys Zabala. He's projected to start the season in Tacoma, but they see him as a possibility to join the team sometime this season. He also says the OF defense should save 40 runs more than last season. Mariners pitcher James Paxton talks about his improvements last season and striking out Mike Trout four times in a game. Plus 3rd base coach Manny Acta talk about the use of analytics the team has adopted and waving home more runs thanks to the team speed.

Aaron, Mike and Gary Hill talk about the value of Kyle Seager in the Mariners lineup and how the next step in his progression could be as a .300 hitter. The guys talk about Mike Zunino and what he needs to do to take a step forward and nail down the starting job. It's a weak time in the game for catchers, so any improvement he makes could put him in an elite group. Mariners beat reporter Greg Johns of mlb.com talks about looking forward to seeing how the speed plays in the Mariners lineup. Also, can this starting rotation with five pitchers all with big league experience under their belt be one of the more dominant in the league? Plus, the bullpen appears to have much more depth than last season.

Aaron Goldsmith and Mike Blowers talk about the early reports out of spring with Felix and his conditioning this offseason. Shannon Drayer joins the show and talks about his work with "Iron Glenn" to build up leg strength. She also talks about the early emphasis not being on base stealing, but base running which was troublesome in 2016. New Mariners assistant hitting coach Scott Brosius talks about his role compiling information for hitters based on pitchers they will be facing. He talks about how he was able to help lead his Linfield College team to a national championship in his years years as head coach. Mariners pitching hopeful Nick Hagadone talks about his hopes to get back on a big league roster after elbow surgery kept him out all 2016. Previously with Cleveland, Hagadone went to Sumner High School and the University of Washington.

Rick and Blow talk to former Mariners rookie pitcher of the year Mark Langston who talks about how good the Mariners farm system was in the early 80s when he came up. Langston is a current Angels broadcaster and gives us his take on the 2017 Angels and his thoughts on the AL West race this year. Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times talks about what he likes most about the early parts of spring training. He talks about how just 3 moves have turned the Mariners into a dangerous offense. He also thinks the bullpen is in much better shape than it was last season.

Rick Rizzs and Mike Blowers host as we listen in to Felix Hernandez who spoke with the media earlier today about his offseason. Mariners trainer Rick Griffin talks about his very first spring training with the Mariners in 1983, where he was hired just four days before spring. He talks about what he does at this point of the spring and the player who he worked on the most over the years. Mariners bench coach Tim Bogar talks about what his expectations are for this season after a 10-win improvement last year. He talks about what he does in-game where they bounce strategic ideas off each other and communicating well with the players.

Aaron, Shannon and Mike talk about the value or lack thereof power as there may have been in the past as guys like Mike Napoli and Chris Carter just recently signed low money deals. Superintendent of the Peoria Sports Complex Blake Englert talks about some of the new additions to the complex including the biggest video board in all Spring Training facilities and a new children's play area called Peoria Cove inside of a ship. Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated talks with Aaron about the Cubs winning the World Series and the use of the bullpens in the postseason. He gives his thoughts on the best way to build a pitching staff. Plus today was Moving Day at Safeco Field as the big truck heads down to Arizona and Gary Hill tells us what gets moved.

Aaron Goldsmith, Shannon Drayer and Mike Blowers talk about some proposed changes to the strike zone and how the World Baseball Classic could make that a tough transition. New Mariners OF Mitch Haniger joins the show and talks about getting to meet Mariners fans for the first time at Fanfest. He talks about how a change in his hitting mechanics have led to better success and how beneficial it was to get his feet wet in the majors last season. Mariners manager Scott Servais talks about his first year as a manager and also how superstitious he is. He also talks about his working relationship with GM Jerry Dipoto and what the addition of Scott Brosius means to the coaching staff. Plus, the Oakland A's name the Coliseum after Rickey Henderson.

Rick, Shannon and Dave talk a little about Edgar Martinez as Dave shares a funny story from Edgar's final season. Mariners Director of Marketing Kevin Martinez talks about this being the 40th anniversary of the Mariners franchise and talks about some of the special appearances and giveaways from the upcoming season. The pride of Longview, WA Jim Caple of ESPN.com joins the show and tells us why Edgar Martinez is getting more support from writers in Hall of Fame voting this year. He also shares his thoughts on the World Baseball Classic and how he thinks it's a great thing to showcase the game and wishes American players would take it more seriously. He also talks about facing Bert Blyleven in a fantasy camp.

Rick Rizzs, Shannon Drayer and Dave Valle host. They recap the Fanfest weekend and talk about the young guys they expect to see help the big club. Mariners catcher Mike Zunino joins the show to talk about what he's working on to improve his hitting and how he's getting to know the new pitchers the team has acquired. Mariners Director of Player Development Andy McKay talks about how he was able to help leading every single level of the M's system to the playoffs. He says his belief is that practice needs to be done at "game speed".