November 19, 2025 • 36 mins
JERRY DIPOTO (Mariners President of Baseball Operations) – FULL INTERVIEW AND CUTS ATTACHED - How did the re-signing of Josh Naylor come about? - What is about Naylor that made him a priority? - What is the M’s philosophy on diving into the person, not just the stats? - What’s the plan for spending this offseason? - Do they anticipate having to move money or players around? - How quickly could we see relievers Hoppe and Ortiz? - Which prospects should we be keeping an eye on? - “really looking forward to where we go from here” :30- AL KINISKY (KAN color analyst) joins us from the road after last night’s loss in Detroit. Daccord returned to goal in the loss, but don’t let the 4-2 score fool you, the Kraken were in it all the way to the end. How much of this team’s success will be dependent on the younger guys stepping up? Next up is Chicago, can they slow Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks down? :45- We close out the humpday show with one last thing!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Down the right field line, Naylor makes the catch, doubles
it off, and that's.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
The ball game.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Nine o'clock hour. Here on this Wednesday, Chuck Bow, former
Mariner Bucky Jacobs, and Ashley Ryan with you, and it's
great to have on the program. Haven't chatted with them
in a while. The president of baseball operations for your
Seattle Mariners, Jerry Depoto, joins us here on Chuck and Buck.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Good morning, sir, Good morning guys. How you doing or great?
Speaker 3 (00:36):
We are great.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Thank you very much for being with us, so we
appreciate it. By the way, I just gave your name
just a quick Google and it's still first as American
baseball player. Do you like that or do you want
them to say president?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
You know I am American.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
I guess that it was American or what American was
baseball player?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Right, something like that.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
It's still a Google still recognizing you as ballplayer first
over executive, So very interesting discovery here this morning. Let
me first just say, before we get into anything about
the offseason, congratulations on your twenty twenty five season.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
And I know that you didn't win the Ultimate.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Prize, but I got to believe that you're pretty proud
of your organization, your staff for what was a wonderful
ride in a very successful campaign.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Yeah, you know, I mean just after the season ended,
it was a little tough to digest for all of us.
But now as we step away from it, I think
we have a great appreciation for what we were able
to accomplish. Won a division championship, came within eight outs
of a World Series, and we can all be proud
of that, and it's a starting point for where we
(01:49):
go in twenty six.
Speaker 5 (01:50):
Yeah, it is just the starting point, I agree, And
yet it was it was a tough pill to swallow
for all of us that we're here rooting you guys on.
But to me to some degree, yesterday was kind of
almost the period or the exclamation point on the end
of the season, the signing of Naylor. So congrats on
getting that done and obviously that was priority number one.
How How long were you guys working on this? How
(02:12):
close was it up until we actually got the news
yesterday the day before you.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Know, we we've it's been something on our minds since
before we even acquired Josh. You know, as we were
going through the discussions with Arizona to make that deal
we always talk about, you know, how we can govern
the long term, and this was something we were interested in.
And then you know, lo and behold he played even
better than we could have hoped.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
And you know.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
The rare all star hitter who thrives in our ballpark
and just loves hitting there and and and it shows.
So h you know, shortly after the series ended in Toronto,
we we got together with Josh's representatives and and started
working through the details on a on a contract, made
an offer, got on a plane, went down and visited
(03:02):
with with Josh and his family and walked him through
kind of what we do. You know, he wasn't with
us throughout, you know, like so many of our guys,
you know, Cal Julio, George Logan, et cetera. Josh joined
us in July, so we walked him through what we do,
how we got here. I think he had a pretty
good sense for who we were from the time we
(03:23):
all spent together, and she had a natural comfort and
from there it came together. Kai didn't take two weeks
or thereabout to get from beginning to end, which I
think speaks to first how aggressive we were and how
much he wanted to be here and it was a
pretty good intersection.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Yeah, and a significant salary, a significant length of contract.
I'm not saying you had to convince John Stanton to
make this move or ownership, but if you did, what
how are you selling we have to keep Josh Naylor
to anybody that's.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Uncertain, you know, he does just about everything on the field.
I thought it was pretty telling, you know it just
hopping on the line, that the intro was Josh making
a defensive play down the line and then doubling someone off.
That's that's for a guy who's probably more known for
his bat or his wheels. You know, he does he
does everything. You know, it's a he has a great
(04:21):
instinct on the field. He has a great way of
interacting with his teammates, He has leadership skills, he connects
with fans. He hits, he hits, really he is about
a well balanced A hit or he takes his walk.
He doesn't strike out much. He has power. He's been
a run producer throughout his career, and you know, it's
it's tough to really bang a hole in it. He's
(04:42):
a twenty year old for twenty eight year old free agent,
which is also you know, a pretty rare thing. So
it was very easy conversation to have with with everybody involved,
especially John, because you know, he saw what Josh provided
us in all those areas over the course of the
last half of the season. And and I will say
(05:03):
this about John and our ownership group in general. They
love the team and they love our players, you know.
And and by the end of the season, Josh wasn't
an acquisition at the deadline. He was a Mariner, and
I think that was important for all of us to maintain.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
By the way, I have nicknamed Naylor Thicky Henderson. Uh,
in case you want to run with that around the office.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
I'm gonna keep that one in my dad. I don't,
I don't when you get killed.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Yeah yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:28):
He also busted out yesterday, Jerry the round mound of
the Puget sound.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Yeah yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
I'm like, maybe don't bring that one up at spring training.
I thought that maybe what want to avoid that one?
I like the Jimmy nails. Apparently that's what he gets
a lot of times in the clubhouse.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (05:47):
I mean, when we're we're talking about a guy like this,
I'm curious how you how you find out about a
guy's makeup obvious. You can watch stuff, you have people
that you know in other organizations and and you can
dive into stuff. But to me, the makeup of Naylor
is I've been saying for a couple of years, this
is a guy that I wanted you guys to go
out and get just because I think there's a grit
(06:09):
that he brings to the table. There's there's part of
that comes with a baseball IQ, which he obviously gets
not being very fleet of foot, but sniper in thirty
bags last year. That's something that happens between the years,
even more than with the legs. And so how is
your guys' philosophy in trying to dive into the person
beyond just the stats baseball player the stuff that anybody
(06:31):
can google.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
You know, a lot of what you just said. It's
recon it's picking up the phone. It's calling people who've
played with them that you may have connection to. It's
asking our players what they think. It's it's visiting with
you know, in this case, probably not super helpful, visiting
with the team he's currently playing for, because I don't
know how you know reasonable you're going to get you
(06:53):
a description, But the guys in Arizona. We're of a
particularly close relationship with my Hayzen and Amil Sade and
and you know, Tory Lavulo and his crew are are
good with our people, and they had nothing but great
things to say about Josh and more importantly his time
in Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Uh, he was there a long time.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
You know, we also have good relationships with the people there,
and we're able to kind of get a better look
under the hood at what Josh was about. But even
just on the surface, the things that attracted us to
him in the first place, where is it intensity? The
IQ which if you watch him play, you know, for
any more than a day or two, it just jumps
(07:35):
out at you. And we needed a player who brought
a little edge, and we got so much more than
the edge.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
You know, what he.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
Does in terms of lifting teammates, you know, baseball education
in the clubhouse. It's he eats it and sleeps it
and drinks it and he can talk it. And his
teammates respect him because of what he puts into it
and how much he puts out.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
You know.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
It's the effort level is extreme and he never lets up.
I think the way he would like to be, you know,
classified as a player I think is just as a winner.
And I could not agree more with that description of Josh.
He's he just brings it every day.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
Got great fancy shoes too.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Jerry Depoto, American baseball player, is with us here on
Chuck and Buck in the Morning Sports Radio ninety three
point three kJ R FM.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Well, I know a lot of people think that.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
I mean, you've announced it that our priorities is try
to keep some of the guys that are our own.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
That are entering into free agency.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
I've been operating under the belief that that's probably Naylor
and then Polonco or Sworez, but justin kind of said
yesterday that maybe it's Polanco and Sworez. I mean, what
kind of chance are you going to give us that
all three of those guys.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Will be back in Mariner uniforms next year.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
Well, a lot has to go right, you know, frankly,
for that to happen, and you know, including markets and
trends and forces working in our favor. But we would
love him all to be back. And you know, at
various stages in our season, each one of those guys
you could prop up as as a hero, and you know,
and I do think from beginning to end, Jorge Polanco's
(09:18):
season for us was really super underrated. And you know,
obviously the big hits in the postseason and and you know,
the things that he did in October were notable. But
you know, from from really opening day on, one of
the most consistent offensive players we had all year long.
High contact, didn't punch, it was he provided power. It
(09:40):
was about as well balanced left and right as you
could be. And he proved very good at handling the dhrol,
which isn't something a lot of guys naturally gravitate toward.
And you know, while Gino didn't hit for a high
average after we acquired him at the deadline, we know
what Gino brains, and he did deliver the pop and
more importantly, he delivers lead ship and he brings people together.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
You know.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
But again a lot of things would have to go
right for us to keep the whole band together. But
we're going to do our best to make sure just
to make sure we continue to grow and get better
as a team, regardless of wood blocks in the door.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Next.
Speaker 5 (10:15):
Yeah, well, I mean I think that's that's great to hear.
I think all Mariner fans are wanting you to grow
from where you're at last year, right, not just try
to stand patent. So that kind of brings me to
the idea of like a blueprint as much as you
can share with what it is that you're hoping you're
able to do. I mean, there is no salary cap
in baseball, but we all know that there's budgets that
(10:35):
you were you were kind of told that you got
to have to work with. And so I am curious,
you know, after riding excuse me, the high of what
we all got to ride along with what you guys
did there. I mean, is the is the idea to
continue to move forward in the way of spending or
is it trying to stay the same or is it
(10:55):
trying to be creative and move some things around.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
You know, we've been we've been moving forward for years.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
I think we may not move forward at a pace
that that pleases every fan or listener, but we've grown our.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Payroll and that's impossible season. Yeah, it really is.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
They don't spend enough money.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
I'm guessing we're gonna come just a little shy of
the Dodgers, but you know, we'll continue to grow our payroll.
It's it's what we do and you know we've and
part of that is when you have you know, good
young players who are growing, they're in the arbitration system,
you know, obviously bringing in a free agent of Josh's status,
and we plan on continuing to play in the free
(11:38):
agent market and fill some some voids. But you know,
from a team building perspective, you know, I said at
the end of the season, our starting point for twenty
twenty six is where we finished twenty five, And we
finished twenty five with you know, the highest or second
highest payroll and the history of the franchise, depending on
where you put, uh, you know, the last dollar. It's
(12:00):
it's very close. But we are growing, we are aggressive,
we are looking to get better. We'd like to add
at least another bat to that lineup, and we really
want to beef up the bullpen.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
And add to the middle and even the leverage arm.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
If the possibility exists, and whether that's free agency, trade whatever,
We're just looking to add the best players we can.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Jerry Depoto is with us to isolate to a part
of that question and answer. I mean, you said at
the end of the year that we're probably going to
start next year with a payroll similar to the one
that we ended with, and of course that's not written
in stone. But when you spend eighteen and a half
million on one player, and you're also talking about trying
to keep Polanco and or Swore as as well, boy,
(12:44):
that money that really gets burned up rather quickly. So
I wanted to isolate the part of Bucky's question about
whether or not you feel like you might have to
move some money around, move a salary out in order
to create some of that leverage to add to the team.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
I mean, I guess it depends what we're adding. You know,
we're always open to any type of thought, but you know,
the idea of bringing the team back in some form
to what the twenty five team look like. Moving players
off kind of defeats that purpose. So we're very comfortable
with the level of talent that exists on our team.
I think as we sit here in the middle of November,
(13:26):
I do believe we're one of the most complete or
most talented teams in the American League. So pulling away
from that team would kind of defeat the purpose, which
is why I answered the question as I did, which
you know, market forces will have to get a little
lucky for all of that to work for us. But
you know, we were very comfortable with the depth that
we've created in our starting rotation. We like the way,
(13:49):
you know, our lineup looks. We do want to continue
to provide opportunity for young players. That's a foundational part
of what we do. And we have good young players,
so that balance. Striking that balance is important, you know,
which is why a guy like Korge is such a
pivotal guy in our lineup.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Last year.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
He could do a little third, he could do some second,
and he could d eight. He's even now played some
first base and the switch hitter. That versatility allows us
to continue to develop a team, and you know, going
out and finding players that can do that is paramount
for us, and we'll continue to look whether it's Orge
or somebody else.
Speaker 5 (14:29):
One of the things that I admire about how you
guys are trying to do it with if there is
some sort of a budget while you're increase in the
payroll and yet there's still is a is a threshold
probably that, like you said, you're going to be shy
of the Dodgers, probably the Mets. And yet one of
the things I've admired what you guys did with Julio,
(14:49):
what you've done with Cal, getting these guys to basically
you buy them out of some of their arbitration years
and you get some homegrown talent to stick around. Are
you guys working in that same d with the likes
of Logan Gilbert and George Kirby? Possibly, because you know
they're all both going to be getting pay raises, even
if it's just through arbitration. And yet the sooner you
(15:10):
guys can get them to kind of lock up with
their boy Cal and Julio and now Naylor, the probably
the less expensive they would be versus them waiting until
they become free agents as well, and.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
We're always open to it.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
The beauty of having really good players is that they
are going to get paid and if everything works out,
the team will win. And you know, we've had those
discussions with a variety of our players through the years.
You know, as you mentioned Cal, Julio, JP Crawford and
Andres Munoz, you know now Joss Naylor. We're not shy
about extending the players in our group. Luis Castillo got
(15:46):
a big one a couple of years ago, and it's
part of our roster building plan is to bring players in,
let them experience our market, play in our environment, and
once we get the feel for how they fit into
our baseball group and you know, the twenty five teammates,
the staff. When you get a player like Josh or
(16:08):
Cal or Julio who are fully embraced by the fan
base as well, that's when you know you hit a
homer and you know you do what you can to
get those players extended out for as long as you can,
and we'll continue to make that a part of how
we build our team.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
President of Baseball Operations for the Seattle Mariners, Jerry Depoto,
our guests this morning. We appreciate the time. Certainly, I
do want to ask you because I read the names
Alex Hoppy I think that's how it's pronounced, and Robinson Ortiz.
Those are a couple of other moves that you've made
here in the last week, and I know baseball people
that are paying attention are like, uh oh, Mariners see
(16:43):
something in some relief pitchers. Again, they're probably going to
turn out to be pretty good. So what can you
tell us about Hope and Ortiz and how quickly they
might be Mariners and not just minor leaguers.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Well, I mean both have fished at the upper levels
of the minor leagues. In Robinson's case, he had some
injury issues early on in his baseball life. Last year
was a healthy season for him, and he's got a
fastball that gets up to ninety seven ninety eight as
a lefty, has a three pitch mix, a slider and
a cutter that both look like the same pitch at times.
(17:18):
The power stuff will sit around ninety four and ninety five,
and we feel like as a twenty five year old
with three options, it just gives us roster depth in
an area where we don't have a ton, which is
left hand bullpen. And you know, Alex Happy comes from Boston.
Average velocity of his fastball is near one hundred miles
an hour, you know, sit ninety eight and a half.
(17:39):
He will touch triple digits. He's got a mid nineties cutter.
He's got really I mean, it's nasty stuff. We feel
like we can help him in terms of like honing
in his command, which has been his bugaboo to this
point in his career. But a really stuffy twenty six
year old righty who we feel like has an opportunity
(17:59):
to pitch in the.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
Big league next year.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
And these are like classic, you know, recent vintage Mariner
acquisitions in November, and then some of them turn out
to be Gave Spires and Matte Brass's, you know, and
you know, we're hopeful about the talent that we're getting with.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
These two guys.
Speaker 5 (18:15):
Jerry, I mean to be sitting where you're at, you
had a team that very easily, very well could have
hoisted a World Series trophy this year, and yet the
nice thing is you also still have one of the
best farm systems. Is there anyone in particular, or maybe
a couple guys that Mariner fans should be super excited
about that you're expecting to be contributors in twenty twenty six.
(18:35):
As far as prospects go.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
You know, I think widely regarded as our top prospect
is Colt Emerson and finished last year in Tacoma at
the very end of the season, had a fabulous year.
He's just twenty years old, and I will play virtually
all of next year at twenty. He's a special player
we feel like has a chance to be foundational part
of what we do, and I would expect that whether
(18:59):
it's not opening or at some point next season.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
He is a part of our mix, which is.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
Why you know, you provide opportunity for those young players
or avenues for them to get those opportunities, and you
know Colt will be one of those players. There are
other players I'm excited about who may not show up
in the big leagues but are going to be pretty close.
The guy like Kate Anderson, who was the third pick
in last year's draft. We've not seen him pitch a
(19:25):
professional inning yet, so we're all eagerly anticipating seeing him
in the spring and watching his Mariner debut of sorts.
I would love to see what kind of progress we
get from Jerangelo sanj who ended last year in Double A.
Obviously the switch pitch makes him famous, but what comes
out of his hand, especially as a right hand or,
(19:46):
is pretty special, and I think it's reasonable to believe
that he could show up as a contributor in the
big league next year. Obviously, some guys that touched the
show for us last year, like Cole Young and Ben
Williamson and Logan Evans, we feel like they will continue
to play a role in what we do, and we
do have a fun system to watch. It's whether it's
(20:08):
it's the kids that are going to start in a
ball and Everett were the kids that are going to
start in Tacoma.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
I think no matter what level you go.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
With our system, you're going to find a player who
has a chance to play in All Star Games, which
is exciting.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
All right.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
In our last thirty seconds, I just want to say,
you know, congratulations. I mean, I know that this is
a fan base here in Seattle and the media that
just wants to get to the World Series and maybe
didn't appreciate always exactly what.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
It was that you were building here.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
And then it's nice to see you get some accolades,
get some flowers here this season, and to ride some
positive momentum into the offseason.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
I think it's well overdue, and.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
I think that you've certainly, along with Justin and your
entire staff, have earned a little bit of praise heading
into the offseason. So congratulations on a great year. Let's
just keep moving it forward.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
I appreciate that, guys. Sometimes I guess sometimes development or
evolution isn't linear, and you know, you fall down, you
get back up, you pick yourself up, and we're in
a good place organizationally, and I'm really looking.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Forward to where we go from here. Thank you, Jerry,
appreciate you guys. All right.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Jerry Depoto, president of baseball Operations for the Seattle Mariners,
joining us here this morning for a lengthy conversation about
the MS off season. Coming up next, Al Konski will
be with US Sports Radio ninety three point three KJRFM.
Speaker 6 (21:33):
We can't get enough for the coaches point of view.
As Mike Olgrin joins you in today at two o five,
join their weekly visit on the Seahawks and the NFL,
brought to you by Toyota Kirkland and R and R
Foundation specialist on Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM.
Speaker 3 (21:51):
This report is sponsored by Staples.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
Heavy Slowing in Seattle, North and I five from mid
Bowing Fields at the Convention Center, which back. Oh, it's
time to chat with Al Kanisky, color analyst for your
Seattle Crack and coming off a loss last night to
the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit. Four to two is
(22:16):
the final score. His segment brought to you by Queen
Anne beer Hall, home of the legendary smash Burger and
your pre post and away game headquarters for Crack and Hockey.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Al Kanisky joins us right here on Chuck and Buck.
Good morning, sir, Good morning.
Speaker 7 (22:32):
How about you, Chuck.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
We're great, We are great.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
You know, before we talk about a loss to the
Red Wings, I got to find out what life has
been like in Detroit with the family fits you.
Speaker 7 (22:44):
Yes, I got to push my way into some fits
Hu family time with an extra day in Detroit, and
we had a good time. We had some Southern food
and a nice little restaurant called Fixens, and I ate
more than my fair share of fried chicken.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
Nice up taking you to Tommy's barn Grill by chance,
he did not.
Speaker 7 (23:05):
I don't know if that's a secret place he's keeping
to himself or what's going on there.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Fail.
Speaker 3 (23:11):
Now that's our place. That's Bucky and Ice.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Please, okay, okay.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
We were in Detroit for three days not long ago,
and we spent pretty much every waking hour there. All right, Well,
let's dive into this cracking team. I mean they had
been riding high for a couple of games. Offensively, you
get Joey to cordback last night, you feel like all's
right with the world, and then you lose to Detroit
by a final score of four to two. In al
(23:36):
Kiniski's mind, what went wrong?
Speaker 7 (23:39):
Well, I mean, you know, the team got off to
the right start, Jordan Neverly getting the first goal of
the game. They've had the first goal of the game
four of the last five, so check there on that box.
It's one nothing after the first period. But it was
the second period that got away from Seattle. The first
goal that Detroit scored, it was on a bit of
a bad change and probably a shot that Joey to
Cord would like to have back. Then they get a
(24:01):
double deflection goal off one shin pad off of skating
in and that's always frustrated. And then the period ends
with Detroit, who's got a fantastic power play, getting a
power play goal. So after two it was three to one.
They had Seattle on the ropes a little bit, and
I got to give the guys credit. They battled hard.
Ryker Evans did get a goal as well to cut
up to the lead in half, and up until the
(24:23):
last minute of the game, it was a three to
two hockey game, which we've seen so many times this
season over nineteen games. Sometimes it's Seattle on the three sides.
Sometimes it's the other team and they're in these games.
So don't let the four confuse you. That was an
empty net goal at the very end. This team was
in it until the end, but I think that a
couple of mistakes along the way put them in a
position where they were trying to dig out of the
(24:45):
lead that Detroit had.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
Well, I mean just kind of going a little deeper
with Decord. I mean, it's good to see him back,
and boy right off the bat that game. I mean,
I don't know how many it was six or seven
shots in the first couple minutes.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
I mean, he looked good for the part.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
I agree.
Speaker 5 (25:00):
I think there was one that he probably wishes he
had back that he would just expect himself to make
a say. But I mean, overall the way that you
saw him, did he look rusty or is it just
one of those you know, he didn't win, but not
necessarily because of him.
Speaker 7 (25:15):
Yeah, I know, you're right, Bucket that first ten to
fifteen minutes of the first period, and it continued in
the second, but it was a crazy pace and you know,
we talked to Ray Cravens between periods and you know,
he admitted that they didn't want to get into a
track race, if you will, with this team, because they
they're gonna they're gonna win there, You've got to slow
them down physically, and it just I think it took
(25:37):
a little.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
Too long to get that going.
Speaker 7 (25:39):
But that first half of the game it was back
and forth, and it wasn't just Detroit, it was Seattle
keeping up as well. But that's not the style of hockey.
This team has success with it. They they thrive on
clogging up the neutrals all and on defending well, on
breaking you know, not giving up odd man rushes or
even even attempts off the rush, and I think Detroit
(26:01):
was getting too many of those kinds of opportunities, especially
in the first half of the first period.
Speaker 1 (26:06):
Yeah, I asked a similar question of this of Everett yesterday,
but I'll spin it differently to you. I mean, right now,
our three leading goal scorers this year are Everly, Schwartz
and Stevenson. All of that's a little longer in the tooth.
I mean, how much of this season is it going
to be key that young players like Benier's right nieman,
(26:28):
maybe even Catton, are guys that are just scoring more frequently.
How much of this team's ultimate success being able to
move this season forward could come down to those guys
being better, more effective, efficient scorers.
Speaker 7 (26:43):
Yeah, I think it's going to continue to get better.
And I'm not saying that Jordan Eberland, jud and Schwartz are.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Going to go away.
Speaker 7 (26:48):
They're going to be near the top at the top
through most of the season. But you're going to see
Maddy Veneers continued to be in that mix, Shane right
in that mix. We thought Bertie Catten had his first
goal last night in the building as his goal, but
it never changed on the official score sheets, and it
turned out it was going to go to Ryker Evans,
So he's getting closer, even as young as he is.
(27:10):
So you're going to see those guys move up. But
you also are going to remember this team, they get
almost thirty percent of their points from their blue line
from the defenseman, so it's not just the young forwards
you got to look to as well. Vince Dunn is
fifth on the team and points at twelve, and there
are others as well, But that's a big part of
(27:31):
where this scoring comes from the team. So you got
the elderly gentleman, as you say, and the youngsters coming up,
but also that blue line as well. That's a big,
big piece of it.
Speaker 5 (27:40):
Tomorrow they go against Chicago the Blackhawks Conrad Dard. I mean,
how are they going to slow this guy down? Because
the Blackhawks are hot right now?
Speaker 7 (27:49):
Yeah, they're absolutely hot, and Connor Benard is coming into
his own right now. He leads the team with twenty
nine points. He's I think fifth in the league overall
in points. You've got it absolutely key on him. But
let's not forget that. You know, we saw this black
Hawk team a little over two weeks ago in Seattle
beat him three to one, and it was actually Andre
(28:09):
Brukowski with the only goal in the game. So the
Kraken knew how to shut down Connor Bdard in that
game there. But they're absolutely gonna have to do it
again here tomorrow night.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Another pre pubescent hockey star. I mean he looks four four,
not fourteen, al Connor Bdard looks four years old.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
He can't rent the car yet.
Speaker 3 (28:28):
Yeah, well, I forget that. I don't even think I
think it.
Speaker 1 (28:32):
Get kicked out of a junior prom, Like, what are
you doing here? I still have a passifier in your mouth?
What is the deal with and not just young, but
just babyfaced, I mean Badard just I mean it looks
like he's in the third trimester, that's how young he looks.
Speaker 7 (28:50):
No, it's it's it's very unique to have somebody of
that caliber at that age on your team. And I
think they make they make some humor about it often,
whether it's renting a car, checking into a hotel room,
or making sure he's in bed at night. But he's
definitely got the skills to lead this Blackhawks team, not
just this year, but for many years to come.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
All Right, al we'll enjoy your time in Chicago, and
we will talk to you again next week.
Speaker 7 (29:16):
All right, time to get a steak, see you guys.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
All right, go get a steak al kinisky with us
right here on Chuck and Buck cracking back in action
tonight in the Midwest. They'll be in Chicago, another great
American Midwest city to take on the Red Hawk Blackhawks,
as Bucky mentioned, and it's new young star hunter Bodard. Meanwhile,
you can just watch.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
It from home, you know, watch a little crack and
hockey from home. It's as cozy as a cozy season
in Twoloton. If you ask me. We'll cose out the
show with one last thing.
Speaker 1 (29:45):
Next Sports Radio ninety three point three KJRFM, All right,
final segment on this Wednesday edition. If chucking back in
the morning, so we always do one last thing.
Speaker 3 (30:00):
What do you got? Buck eight?
Speaker 5 (30:02):
I just want to say, I guess goodbye to Tyler Sasato.
Speaker 3 (30:09):
He end up getting DFAD for the move, that hoppy.
Speaker 5 (30:13):
Kid that they picked up from the Red Sox, and
so it's a bummer. I know from experience the day
that you end up getting the phone call, Hey, I'm
DFA designating first time taking off the forty man by
your hometown team, by the team that you grew up
cheering for. It's it's harder than just kind of losing
the job elsewhere. And so keep your head on. You
(30:36):
had some good times here in the merry uniform. He
up wins some ball games. Last year was not his
best year, and and so I understand the move, why
they're making the move. But keep your head up and
get to work because you still got a long big
league career that you could have. Don't let this thing
keep you down.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
Yeah, I mean helps be lefty and have a little
bit of a proven proving ground in your back. I
don't No, I don't know if it's a given that
he'll walk up somewhere else, but I would imagine he's
got one or two more chances that he has to
stick in the major leagues. But even if he doesn't,
I mean, he got to play for his hometown team
(31:14):
and some pretty exciting seasons with his hometown team. And
I think that that's more than young Taylor Sausato ever
thought that he was going to experience.
Speaker 5 (31:24):
For sure, I would almost guarantee it, and I remember
that feeling, yeah, vividly. The idea of making to the
big leagues is one thing. To get there and play
for the team you grew up cheering for. Yeah, that's
a whole different ball game, And yet it also makes
it sting more when a day like yesterday comes around.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
Ashually, what's your one last thing?
Speaker 8 (31:42):
I just want to say, I hate technology. I know
Napoleon Dynamite loves it. Or no, actually it's not Napoleon,
it's his brother Kip.
Speaker 3 (31:50):
Yeah, he loves technology.
Speaker 8 (31:51):
I don't Today was an f for technology, but an
a for effort from us.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
That's all technology?
Speaker 8 (32:00):
Yeah, I see it? Really mean that song is gonna
be in the head all the ology.
Speaker 3 (32:08):
You don't have to dance me, you're singing to the choir.
F technology it. Yeah, okay, but now that's it. I
just needed to then I need to get that out.
You got it, Thank you.
Speaker 8 (32:16):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (32:18):
I mean we're gonna have more time.
Speaker 1 (32:19):
We'll replace some of Jerry tomorrow on the show, maybe
even some clips as well.
Speaker 3 (32:24):
We had Jerry Depoto on at nine.
Speaker 1 (32:25):
If you don't know what I'm talking about, uh, but uh,
I just feel kind of compelled for the end of
the show, just kind of highlight exactly what it is
that he told us. And there's some reading into this
as well, but you know, correct me if you didn't
hear the same things. I don't know if he's felt
or sounded as confident that it will be Naylor, Polanco
(32:49):
and Suarez, but it does sound like he was there.
Speaker 3 (32:52):
They're certainly trying to bring back one of them.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
Sounded alike that they're in the market for a little
more proven of a relief pitch then the two guys
they just picked up this last couple of weeks. Somebody
that provides some stability.
Speaker 3 (33:06):
In the bullpen.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
Doesn't sound like Luis Castillo's going anywhere to create that
financial space. And I really was intrigued by who he
admitted could be contributors this upcoming season, Colt Emerson from
their prospects, Jorangelosangi even brought up Kate Anderson's name in
that conversation, as well as guys that could end up
(33:28):
contributing this year. I didn't get the impression that you're
going to do that much else beyond what we just outlined.
And yet I think he did kind of leave a
caveat out there of you don't rule out a surprise
either from us. I'm I'm pretty sure he's not gonna
show all of his cards, even as guarded as they
(33:49):
might be, to us here on a radio station interview.
Speaker 3 (33:53):
But that's kind of the impression that I came away with. Yeah,
I got the same thing.
Speaker 5 (33:58):
I mean, the idea of he basically was saying, you know,
a lot of things would have to go right in
order for a lot of things that are out of
his control. So the decisions of the players, how hard
what kind of hardball him and them and their teams
are going to play, what the bidding wars are for
you know, a Polonko and Suarez, so the idea of
(34:19):
getting both of them. Him saying a lot of things
would have to go right is not a very intriguing sign.
But I like the fact that he didn't say, no,
we're not interested in keeping both of them. Yeah, I
wasn't closing the door on it. And and yet he
did say, and we're still going to play in the
free agent market.
Speaker 3 (34:38):
Okay.
Speaker 5 (34:39):
Again, I wouldn't expect him to say, yeah, we're done.
We're done with that, right.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
I do wonder where you're coming up with the money.
If you're telling us that we're going to have this payroll,
you've already said it, and you've already committed to Naylor
and you want to commit to at least one of
the two, Polanco or Suarez.
Speaker 3 (34:57):
Where's that money coming from?
Speaker 2 (34:58):
Then?
Speaker 1 (34:59):
Where are you go to generate money to spend on
the free agent market. I get it if you could
pull off a trade with your prospects that you have
for you know, you go to Minnesota or Tampa or Sacramento,
and they usually try to get rid of guys before
they start making good money.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
That maybe you pull off a trade for something like that.
But it's hard. I mean, what player are you getting
if you're just trying to spend three or four million
in free agency, probably not much.
Speaker 5 (35:27):
Yeah, well, I mean I didn't hear a hard line
of where they're going to stop, right. I think what
I heard was we're going to start where we ended
last season, which was the highest or second highest payroll
in the history. Now, obviously dollars change over the course
of you know, years and decades and whatnot, and so
(35:48):
I am curious to see how they're going to do
it because they have some sort of budget they're running
on and I just don't know how far above where
they ended last year where that budget is.
Speaker 1 (35:56):
Well, we'll have that posted at ninety three three kjar
dot com. Be on our podcast as well. We'll replace
some of it for you tomorrow, probably even spend another
segment replaying a few clips and reacting to them as well.
But good to have him on. I know a lot
of people are invested in where the Mariners go from
here this off season. Also, tomorrow, twelve man rounds able
(36:18):
from eight to nine. Now, that'll do it for us
today though. Coming up next it's Mark James and Christopher
Kidd on Sports Radio ninety three point three KJRFM.
Speaker 6 (36:26):
P you can't miss a thing from today's show because
we're on demand. Their podcast will be up right after
the show.
Speaker 9 (36:32):
Just click on demand on our website at ninety three
three kjr dot com and click on Chucking Bug podcast
to replay anytime anywhere from Sports Radio ninety three point
three kjr FL This we Bore
Down the right field line, Naylor makes the catch, doubles
it off, and that's.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
The ball game.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Nine o'clock hour. Here on this Wednesday, Chuck Bow, former
Mariner Bucky Jacobs, and Ashley Ryan with you, and it's
great to have on the program. Haven't chatted with them
in a while. The president of baseball operations for your
Seattle Mariners, Jerry Depoto, joins us here on Chuck and Buck.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Good morning, sir, Good morning guys. How you doing or great?
Speaker 3 (00:36):
We are great.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Thank you very much for being with us, so we
appreciate it. By the way, I just gave your name
just a quick Google and it's still first as American
baseball player. Do you like that or do you want
them to say president?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
You know I am American.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
I guess that it was American or what American was
baseball player?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Right, something like that.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
It's still a Google still recognizing you as ballplayer first
over executive, So very interesting discovery here this morning. Let
me first just say, before we get into anything about
the offseason, congratulations on your twenty twenty five season.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
And I know that you didn't win the Ultimate.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Prize, but I got to believe that you're pretty proud
of your organization, your staff for what was a wonderful
ride in a very successful campaign.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Yeah, you know, I mean just after the season ended,
it was a little tough to digest for all of us.
But now as we step away from it, I think
we have a great appreciation for what we were able
to accomplish. Won a division championship, came within eight outs
of a World Series, and we can all be proud
of that, and it's a starting point for where we
(01:49):
go in twenty six.
Speaker 5 (01:50):
Yeah, it is just the starting point, I agree, And
yet it was it was a tough pill to swallow
for all of us that we're here rooting you guys on.
But to me to some degree, yesterday was kind of
almost the period or the exclamation point on the end
of the season, the signing of Naylor. So congrats on
getting that done and obviously that was priority number one.
How How long were you guys working on this? How
(02:12):
close was it up until we actually got the news
yesterday the day before you.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Know, we we've it's been something on our minds since
before we even acquired Josh. You know, as we were
going through the discussions with Arizona to make that deal
we always talk about, you know, how we can govern
the long term, and this was something we were interested in.
And then you know, lo and behold he played even
better than we could have hoped.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
And you know.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
The rare all star hitter who thrives in our ballpark
and just loves hitting there and and and it shows.
So h you know, shortly after the series ended in Toronto,
we we got together with Josh's representatives and and started
working through the details on a on a contract, made
an offer, got on a plane, went down and visited
(03:02):
with with Josh and his family and walked him through
kind of what we do. You know, he wasn't with
us throughout, you know, like so many of our guys,
you know, Cal Julio, George Logan, et cetera. Josh joined
us in July, so we walked him through what we do,
how we got here. I think he had a pretty
good sense for who we were from the time we
(03:23):
all spent together, and she had a natural comfort and
from there it came together. Kai didn't take two weeks
or thereabout to get from beginning to end, which I
think speaks to first how aggressive we were and how
much he wanted to be here and it was a
pretty good intersection.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Yeah, and a significant salary, a significant length of contract.
I'm not saying you had to convince John Stanton to
make this move or ownership, but if you did, what
how are you selling we have to keep Josh Naylor
to anybody that's.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Uncertain, you know, he does just about everything on the field.
I thought it was pretty telling, you know it just
hopping on the line, that the intro was Josh making
a defensive play down the line and then doubling someone off.
That's that's for a guy who's probably more known for
his bat or his wheels. You know, he does he
does everything. You know, it's a he has a great
(04:21):
instinct on the field. He has a great way of
interacting with his teammates, He has leadership skills, he connects
with fans. He hits, he hits, really he is about
a well balanced A hit or he takes his walk.
He doesn't strike out much. He has power. He's been
a run producer throughout his career, and you know, it's
it's tough to really bang a hole in it. He's
(04:42):
a twenty year old for twenty eight year old free agent,
which is also you know, a pretty rare thing. So
it was very easy conversation to have with with everybody involved,
especially John, because you know, he saw what Josh provided
us in all those areas over the course of the
last half of the season. And and I will say
(05:03):
this about John and our ownership group in general. They
love the team and they love our players, you know.
And and by the end of the season, Josh wasn't
an acquisition at the deadline. He was a Mariner, and
I think that was important for all of us to maintain.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
By the way, I have nicknamed Naylor Thicky Henderson. Uh,
in case you want to run with that around the office.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
I'm gonna keep that one in my dad. I don't,
I don't when you get killed.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Yeah yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:28):
He also busted out yesterday, Jerry the round mound of
the Puget sound.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Yeah yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
I'm like, maybe don't bring that one up at spring training.
I thought that maybe what want to avoid that one?
I like the Jimmy nails. Apparently that's what he gets
a lot of times in the clubhouse.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (05:47):
I mean, when we're we're talking about a guy like this,
I'm curious how you how you find out about a
guy's makeup obvious. You can watch stuff, you have people
that you know in other organizations and and you can
dive into stuff. But to me, the makeup of Naylor
is I've been saying for a couple of years, this
is a guy that I wanted you guys to go
out and get just because I think there's a grit
(06:09):
that he brings to the table. There's there's part of
that comes with a baseball IQ, which he obviously gets
not being very fleet of foot, but sniper in thirty
bags last year. That's something that happens between the years,
even more than with the legs. And so how is
your guys' philosophy in trying to dive into the person
beyond just the stats baseball player the stuff that anybody
(06:31):
can google.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
You know, a lot of what you just said. It's
recon it's picking up the phone. It's calling people who've
played with them that you may have connection to. It's
asking our players what they think. It's it's visiting with
you know, in this case, probably not super helpful, visiting
with the team he's currently playing for, because I don't
know how you know reasonable you're going to get you
(06:53):
a description, But the guys in Arizona. We're of a
particularly close relationship with my Hayzen and Amil Sade and
and you know, Tory Lavulo and his crew are are
good with our people, and they had nothing but great
things to say about Josh and more importantly his time
in Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Uh, he was there a long time.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
You know, we also have good relationships with the people there,
and we're able to kind of get a better look
under the hood at what Josh was about. But even
just on the surface, the things that attracted us to
him in the first place, where is it intensity? The
IQ which if you watch him play, you know, for
any more than a day or two, it just jumps
(07:35):
out at you. And we needed a player who brought
a little edge, and we got so much more than
the edge.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
You know, what he.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
Does in terms of lifting teammates, you know, baseball education
in the clubhouse. It's he eats it and sleeps it
and drinks it and he can talk it. And his
teammates respect him because of what he puts into it
and how much he puts out.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
You know.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
It's the effort level is extreme and he never lets up.
I think the way he would like to be, you know,
classified as a player I think is just as a winner.
And I could not agree more with that description of Josh.
He's he just brings it every day.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
Got great fancy shoes too.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Jerry Depoto, American baseball player, is with us here on
Chuck and Buck in the Morning Sports Radio ninety three
point three kJ R FM.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Well, I know a lot of people think that.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
I mean, you've announced it that our priorities is try
to keep some of the guys that are our own.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
That are entering into free agency.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
I've been operating under the belief that that's probably Naylor
and then Polonco or Sworez, but justin kind of said
yesterday that maybe it's Polanco and Sworez. I mean, what
kind of chance are you going to give us that
all three of those guys.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Will be back in Mariner uniforms next year.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
Well, a lot has to go right, you know, frankly,
for that to happen, and you know, including markets and
trends and forces working in our favor. But we would
love him all to be back. And you know, at
various stages in our season, each one of those guys
you could prop up as as a hero, and you know,
and I do think from beginning to end, Jorge Polanco's
(09:18):
season for us was really super underrated. And you know,
obviously the big hits in the postseason and and you know,
the things that he did in October were notable. But
you know, from from really opening day on, one of
the most consistent offensive players we had all year long.
High contact, didn't punch, it was he provided power. It
(09:40):
was about as well balanced left and right as you
could be. And he proved very good at handling the dhrol,
which isn't something a lot of guys naturally gravitate toward.
And you know, while Gino didn't hit for a high
average after we acquired him at the deadline, we know
what Gino brains, and he did deliver the pop and
more importantly, he delivers lead ship and he brings people together.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
You know.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
But again a lot of things would have to go
right for us to keep the whole band together. But
we're going to do our best to make sure just
to make sure we continue to grow and get better
as a team, regardless of wood blocks in the door.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Next.
Speaker 5 (10:15):
Yeah, well, I mean I think that's that's great to hear.
I think all Mariner fans are wanting you to grow
from where you're at last year, right, not just try
to stand patent. So that kind of brings me to
the idea of like a blueprint as much as you
can share with what it is that you're hoping you're
able to do. I mean, there is no salary cap
in baseball, but we all know that there's budgets that
(10:35):
you were you were kind of told that you got
to have to work with. And so I am curious,
you know, after riding excuse me, the high of what
we all got to ride along with what you guys
did there. I mean, is the is the idea to
continue to move forward in the way of spending or
is it trying to stay the same or is it
(10:55):
trying to be creative and move some things around.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
You know, we've been we've been moving forward for years.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
I think we may not move forward at a pace
that that pleases every fan or listener, but we've grown our.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Payroll and that's impossible season. Yeah, it really is.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
They don't spend enough money.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
I'm guessing we're gonna come just a little shy of
the Dodgers, but you know, we'll continue to grow our payroll.
It's it's what we do and you know we've and
part of that is when you have you know, good
young players who are growing, they're in the arbitration system,
you know, obviously bringing in a free agent of Josh's status,
and we plan on continuing to play in the free
(11:38):
agent market and fill some some voids. But you know,
from a team building perspective, you know, I said at
the end of the season, our starting point for twenty
twenty six is where we finished twenty five, And we
finished twenty five with you know, the highest or second
highest payroll and the history of the franchise, depending on
where you put, uh, you know, the last dollar. It's
(12:00):
it's very close. But we are growing, we are aggressive,
we are looking to get better. We'd like to add
at least another bat to that lineup, and we really
want to beef up the bullpen.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
And add to the middle and even the leverage arm.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
If the possibility exists, and whether that's free agency, trade whatever,
We're just looking to add the best players we can.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Jerry Depoto is with us to isolate to a part
of that question and answer. I mean, you said at
the end of the year that we're probably going to
start next year with a payroll similar to the one
that we ended with, and of course that's not written
in stone. But when you spend eighteen and a half
million on one player, and you're also talking about trying
to keep Polanco and or Swore as as well, boy,
(12:44):
that money that really gets burned up rather quickly. So
I wanted to isolate the part of Bucky's question about
whether or not you feel like you might have to
move some money around, move a salary out in order
to create some of that leverage to add to the team.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
I mean, I guess it depends what we're adding. You know,
we're always open to any type of thought, but you know,
the idea of bringing the team back in some form
to what the twenty five team look like. Moving players
off kind of defeats that purpose. So we're very comfortable
with the level of talent that exists on our team.
I think as we sit here in the middle of November,
(13:26):
I do believe we're one of the most complete or
most talented teams in the American League. So pulling away
from that team would kind of defeat the purpose, which
is why I answered the question as I did, which
you know, market forces will have to get a little
lucky for all of that to work for us. But
you know, we were very comfortable with the depth that
we've created in our starting rotation. We like the way,
(13:49):
you know, our lineup looks. We do want to continue
to provide opportunity for young players. That's a foundational part
of what we do. And we have good young players,
so that balance. Striking that balance is important, you know,
which is why a guy like Korge is such a
pivotal guy in our lineup.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Last year.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
He could do a little third, he could do some second,
and he could d eight. He's even now played some
first base and the switch hitter. That versatility allows us
to continue to develop a team, and you know, going
out and finding players that can do that is paramount
for us, and we'll continue to look whether it's Orge
or somebody else.
Speaker 5 (14:29):
One of the things that I admire about how you
guys are trying to do it with if there is
some sort of a budget while you're increase in the
payroll and yet there's still is a is a threshold
probably that, like you said, you're going to be shy
of the Dodgers, probably the Mets. And yet one of
the things I've admired what you guys did with Julio,
(14:49):
what you've done with Cal, getting these guys to basically
you buy them out of some of their arbitration years
and you get some homegrown talent to stick around. Are
you guys working in that same d with the likes
of Logan Gilbert and George Kirby? Possibly, because you know
they're all both going to be getting pay raises, even
if it's just through arbitration. And yet the sooner you
(15:10):
guys can get them to kind of lock up with
their boy Cal and Julio and now Naylor, the probably
the less expensive they would be versus them waiting until
they become free agents as well, and.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
We're always open to it.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
The beauty of having really good players is that they
are going to get paid and if everything works out,
the team will win. And you know, we've had those
discussions with a variety of our players through the years.
You know, as you mentioned Cal, Julio, JP Crawford and
Andres Munoz, you know now Joss Naylor. We're not shy
about extending the players in our group. Luis Castillo got
(15:46):
a big one a couple of years ago, and it's
part of our roster building plan is to bring players in,
let them experience our market, play in our environment, and
once we get the feel for how they fit into
our baseball group and you know, the twenty five teammates,
the staff. When you get a player like Josh or
(16:08):
Cal or Julio who are fully embraced by the fan
base as well, that's when you know you hit a
homer and you know you do what you can to
get those players extended out for as long as you can,
and we'll continue to make that a part of how
we build our team.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
President of Baseball Operations for the Seattle Mariners, Jerry Depoto,
our guests this morning. We appreciate the time. Certainly, I
do want to ask you because I read the names
Alex Hoppy I think that's how it's pronounced, and Robinson Ortiz.
Those are a couple of other moves that you've made
here in the last week, and I know baseball people
that are paying attention are like, uh oh, Mariners see
(16:43):
something in some relief pitchers. Again, they're probably going to
turn out to be pretty good. So what can you
tell us about Hope and Ortiz and how quickly they
might be Mariners and not just minor leaguers.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Well, I mean both have fished at the upper levels
of the minor leagues. In Robinson's case, he had some
injury issues early on in his baseball life. Last year
was a healthy season for him, and he's got a
fastball that gets up to ninety seven ninety eight as
a lefty, has a three pitch mix, a slider and
a cutter that both look like the same pitch at times.
(17:18):
The power stuff will sit around ninety four and ninety five,
and we feel like as a twenty five year old
with three options, it just gives us roster depth in
an area where we don't have a ton, which is
left hand bullpen. And you know, Alex Happy comes from Boston.
Average velocity of his fastball is near one hundred miles
an hour, you know, sit ninety eight and a half.
(17:39):
He will touch triple digits. He's got a mid nineties cutter.
He's got really I mean, it's nasty stuff. We feel
like we can help him in terms of like honing
in his command, which has been his bugaboo to this
point in his career. But a really stuffy twenty six
year old righty who we feel like has an opportunity
(17:59):
to pitch in the.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
Big league next year.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
And these are like classic, you know, recent vintage Mariner
acquisitions in November, and then some of them turn out
to be Gave Spires and Matte Brass's, you know, and
you know, we're hopeful about the talent that we're getting with.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
These two guys.
Speaker 5 (18:15):
Jerry, I mean to be sitting where you're at, you
had a team that very easily, very well could have
hoisted a World Series trophy this year, and yet the
nice thing is you also still have one of the
best farm systems. Is there anyone in particular, or maybe
a couple guys that Mariner fans should be super excited
about that you're expecting to be contributors in twenty twenty six.
(18:35):
As far as prospects go.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
You know, I think widely regarded as our top prospect
is Colt Emerson and finished last year in Tacoma at
the very end of the season, had a fabulous year.
He's just twenty years old, and I will play virtually
all of next year at twenty. He's a special player
we feel like has a chance to be foundational part
of what we do, and I would expect that whether
(18:59):
it's not opening or at some point next season.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
He is a part of our mix, which is.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
Why you know, you provide opportunity for those young players
or avenues for them to get those opportunities, and you
know Colt will be one of those players. There are
other players I'm excited about who may not show up
in the big leagues but are going to be pretty close.
The guy like Kate Anderson, who was the third pick
in last year's draft. We've not seen him pitch a
(19:25):
professional inning yet, so we're all eagerly anticipating seeing him
in the spring and watching his Mariner debut of sorts.
I would love to see what kind of progress we
get from Jerangelo sanj who ended last year in Double A.
Obviously the switch pitch makes him famous, but what comes
out of his hand, especially as a right hand or,
(19:46):
is pretty special, and I think it's reasonable to believe
that he could show up as a contributor in the
big league next year. Obviously, some guys that touched the
show for us last year, like Cole Young and Ben
Williamson and Logan Evans, we feel like they will continue
to play a role in what we do, and we
do have a fun system to watch. It's whether it's
(20:08):
it's the kids that are going to start in a
ball and Everett were the kids that are going to
start in Tacoma.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
I think no matter what level you go.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
With our system, you're going to find a player who
has a chance to play in All Star Games, which
is exciting.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
All right.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
In our last thirty seconds, I just want to say,
you know, congratulations. I mean, I know that this is
a fan base here in Seattle and the media that
just wants to get to the World Series and maybe
didn't appreciate always exactly what.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
It was that you were building here.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
And then it's nice to see you get some accolades,
get some flowers here this season, and to ride some
positive momentum into the offseason.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
I think it's well overdue, and.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
I think that you've certainly, along with Justin and your
entire staff, have earned a little bit of praise heading
into the offseason. So congratulations on a great year. Let's
just keep moving it forward.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
I appreciate that, guys. Sometimes I guess sometimes development or
evolution isn't linear, and you know, you fall down, you
get back up, you pick yourself up, and we're in
a good place organizationally, and I'm really looking.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Forward to where we go from here. Thank you, Jerry,
appreciate you guys. All right.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Jerry Depoto, president of baseball Operations for the Seattle Mariners,
joining us here this morning for a lengthy conversation about
the MS off season. Coming up next, Al Konski will
be with US Sports Radio ninety three point three KJRFM.
Speaker 6 (21:33):
We can't get enough for the coaches point of view.
As Mike Olgrin joins you in today at two o five,
join their weekly visit on the Seahawks and the NFL,
brought to you by Toyota Kirkland and R and R
Foundation specialist on Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM.
Speaker 3 (21:51):
This report is sponsored by Staples.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
Heavy Slowing in Seattle, North and I five from mid
Bowing Fields at the Convention Center, which back. Oh, it's
time to chat with Al Kanisky, color analyst for your
Seattle Crack and coming off a loss last night to
the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit. Four to two is
(22:16):
the final score. His segment brought to you by Queen
Anne beer Hall, home of the legendary smash Burger and
your pre post and away game headquarters for Crack and Hockey.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Al Kanisky joins us right here on Chuck and Buck.
Good morning, sir, Good morning.
Speaker 7 (22:32):
How about you, Chuck.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
We're great, We are great.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
You know, before we talk about a loss to the
Red Wings, I got to find out what life has
been like in Detroit with the family fits you.
Speaker 7 (22:44):
Yes, I got to push my way into some fits
Hu family time with an extra day in Detroit, and
we had a good time. We had some Southern food
and a nice little restaurant called Fixens, and I ate
more than my fair share of fried chicken.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
Nice up taking you to Tommy's barn Grill by chance,
he did not.
Speaker 7 (23:05):
I don't know if that's a secret place he's keeping
to himself or what's going on there.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Fail.
Speaker 3 (23:11):
Now that's our place. That's Bucky and Ice.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Please, okay, okay.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
We were in Detroit for three days not long ago,
and we spent pretty much every waking hour there. All right, Well,
let's dive into this cracking team. I mean they had
been riding high for a couple of games. Offensively, you
get Joey to cordback last night, you feel like all's
right with the world, and then you lose to Detroit
by a final score of four to two. In al
(23:36):
Kiniski's mind, what went wrong?
Speaker 7 (23:39):
Well, I mean, you know, the team got off to
the right start, Jordan Neverly getting the first goal of
the game. They've had the first goal of the game
four of the last five, so check there on that box.
It's one nothing after the first period. But it was
the second period that got away from Seattle. The first
goal that Detroit scored, it was on a bit of
a bad change and probably a shot that Joey to
Cord would like to have back. Then they get a
(24:01):
double deflection goal off one shin pad off of skating
in and that's always frustrated. And then the period ends
with Detroit, who's got a fantastic power play, getting a
power play goal. So after two it was three to one.
They had Seattle on the ropes a little bit, and
I got to give the guys credit. They battled hard.
Ryker Evans did get a goal as well to cut
up to the lead in half, and up until the
(24:23):
last minute of the game, it was a three to
two hockey game, which we've seen so many times this
season over nineteen games. Sometimes it's Seattle on the three sides.
Sometimes it's the other team and they're in these games.
So don't let the four confuse you. That was an
empty net goal at the very end. This team was
in it until the end, but I think that a
couple of mistakes along the way put them in a
position where they were trying to dig out of the
(24:45):
lead that Detroit had.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
Well, I mean just kind of going a little deeper
with Decord. I mean, it's good to see him back,
and boy right off the bat that game. I mean,
I don't know how many it was six or seven
shots in the first couple minutes.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
I mean, he looked good for the part.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
I agree.
Speaker 5 (25:00):
I think there was one that he probably wishes he
had back that he would just expect himself to make
a say. But I mean, overall the way that you
saw him, did he look rusty or is it just
one of those you know, he didn't win, but not
necessarily because of him.
Speaker 7 (25:15):
Yeah, I know, you're right, Bucket that first ten to
fifteen minutes of the first period, and it continued in
the second, but it was a crazy pace and you know,
we talked to Ray Cravens between periods and you know,
he admitted that they didn't want to get into a
track race, if you will, with this team, because they
they're gonna they're gonna win there, You've got to slow
them down physically, and it just I think it took
(25:37):
a little.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
Too long to get that going.
Speaker 7 (25:39):
But that first half of the game it was back
and forth, and it wasn't just Detroit, it was Seattle
keeping up as well. But that's not the style of hockey.
This team has success with it. They they thrive on
clogging up the neutrals all and on defending well, on
breaking you know, not giving up odd man rushes or
even even attempts off the rush, and I think Detroit
(26:01):
was getting too many of those kinds of opportunities, especially
in the first half of the first period.
Speaker 1 (26:06):
Yeah, I asked a similar question of this of Everett yesterday,
but I'll spin it differently to you. I mean, right now,
our three leading goal scorers this year are Everly, Schwartz
and Stevenson. All of that's a little longer in the tooth.
I mean, how much of this season is it going
to be key that young players like Benier's right nieman,
(26:28):
maybe even Catton, are guys that are just scoring more frequently.
How much of this team's ultimate success being able to
move this season forward could come down to those guys
being better, more effective, efficient scorers.
Speaker 7 (26:43):
Yeah, I think it's going to continue to get better.
And I'm not saying that Jordan Eberland, jud and Schwartz are.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Going to go away.
Speaker 7 (26:48):
They're going to be near the top at the top
through most of the season. But you're going to see
Maddy Veneers continued to be in that mix, Shane right
in that mix. We thought Bertie Catten had his first
goal last night in the building as his goal, but
it never changed on the official score sheets, and it
turned out it was going to go to Ryker Evans,
So he's getting closer, even as young as he is.
(27:10):
So you're going to see those guys move up. But
you also are going to remember this team, they get
almost thirty percent of their points from their blue line
from the defenseman, so it's not just the young forwards
you got to look to as well. Vince Dunn is
fifth on the team and points at twelve, and there
are others as well, But that's a big part of
(27:31):
where this scoring comes from the team. So you got
the elderly gentleman, as you say, and the youngsters coming up,
but also that blue line as well. That's a big,
big piece of it.
Speaker 5 (27:40):
Tomorrow they go against Chicago the Blackhawks Conrad Dard. I mean,
how are they going to slow this guy down? Because
the Blackhawks are hot right now?
Speaker 7 (27:49):
Yeah, they're absolutely hot, and Connor Benard is coming into
his own right now. He leads the team with twenty
nine points. He's I think fifth in the league overall
in points. You've got it absolutely key on him. But
let's not forget that. You know, we saw this black
Hawk team a little over two weeks ago in Seattle
beat him three to one, and it was actually Andre
(28:09):
Brukowski with the only goal in the game. So the
Kraken knew how to shut down Connor Bdard in that
game there. But they're absolutely gonna have to do it
again here tomorrow night.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Another pre pubescent hockey star. I mean he looks four four,
not fourteen, al Connor Bdard looks four years old.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
He can't rent the car yet.
Speaker 3 (28:28):
Yeah, well, I forget that. I don't even think I
think it.
Speaker 1 (28:32):
Get kicked out of a junior prom, Like, what are
you doing here? I still have a passifier in your mouth?
What is the deal with and not just young, but
just babyfaced, I mean Badard just I mean it looks
like he's in the third trimester, that's how young he looks.
Speaker 7 (28:50):
No, it's it's it's very unique to have somebody of
that caliber at that age on your team. And I
think they make they make some humor about it often,
whether it's renting a car, checking into a hotel room,
or making sure he's in bed at night. But he's
definitely got the skills to lead this Blackhawks team, not
just this year, but for many years to come.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
All Right, al we'll enjoy your time in Chicago, and
we will talk to you again next week.
Speaker 7 (29:16):
All right, time to get a steak, see you guys.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
All right, go get a steak al kinisky with us
right here on Chuck and Buck cracking back in action
tonight in the Midwest. They'll be in Chicago, another great
American Midwest city to take on the Red Hawk Blackhawks,
as Bucky mentioned, and it's new young star hunter Bodard. Meanwhile,
you can just watch.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
It from home, you know, watch a little crack and
hockey from home. It's as cozy as a cozy season
in Twoloton. If you ask me. We'll cose out the
show with one last thing.
Speaker 1 (29:45):
Next Sports Radio ninety three point three KJRFM, All right,
final segment on this Wednesday edition. If chucking back in
the morning, so we always do one last thing.
Speaker 3 (30:00):
What do you got? Buck eight?
Speaker 5 (30:02):
I just want to say, I guess goodbye to Tyler Sasato.
Speaker 3 (30:09):
He end up getting DFAD for the move, that hoppy.
Speaker 5 (30:13):
Kid that they picked up from the Red Sox, and
so it's a bummer. I know from experience the day
that you end up getting the phone call, Hey, I'm
DFA designating first time taking off the forty man by
your hometown team, by the team that you grew up
cheering for. It's it's harder than just kind of losing
the job elsewhere. And so keep your head on. You
(30:36):
had some good times here in the merry uniform. He
up wins some ball games. Last year was not his
best year, and and so I understand the move, why
they're making the move. But keep your head up and
get to work because you still got a long big
league career that you could have. Don't let this thing
keep you down.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
Yeah, I mean helps be lefty and have a little
bit of a proven proving ground in your back. I
don't No, I don't know if it's a given that
he'll walk up somewhere else, but I would imagine he's
got one or two more chances that he has to
stick in the major leagues. But even if he doesn't,
I mean, he got to play for his hometown team
(31:14):
and some pretty exciting seasons with his hometown team. And
I think that that's more than young Taylor Sausato ever
thought that he was going to experience.
Speaker 5 (31:24):
For sure, I would almost guarantee it, and I remember
that feeling, yeah, vividly. The idea of making to the
big leagues is one thing. To get there and play
for the team you grew up cheering for. Yeah, that's
a whole different ball game, And yet it also makes
it sting more when a day like yesterday comes around.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
Ashually, what's your one last thing?
Speaker 8 (31:42):
I just want to say, I hate technology. I know
Napoleon Dynamite loves it. Or no, actually it's not Napoleon,
it's his brother Kip.
Speaker 3 (31:50):
Yeah, he loves technology.
Speaker 8 (31:51):
I don't Today was an f for technology, but an
a for effort from us.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
That's all technology?
Speaker 8 (32:00):
Yeah, I see it? Really mean that song is gonna
be in the head all the ology.
Speaker 3 (32:08):
You don't have to dance me, you're singing to the choir.
F technology it. Yeah, okay, but now that's it. I
just needed to then I need to get that out.
You got it, Thank you.
Speaker 8 (32:16):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (32:18):
I mean we're gonna have more time.
Speaker 1 (32:19):
We'll replace some of Jerry tomorrow on the show, maybe
even some clips as well.
Speaker 3 (32:24):
We had Jerry Depoto on at nine.
Speaker 1 (32:25):
If you don't know what I'm talking about, uh, but uh,
I just feel kind of compelled for the end of
the show, just kind of highlight exactly what it is
that he told us. And there's some reading into this
as well, but you know, correct me if you didn't
hear the same things. I don't know if he's felt
or sounded as confident that it will be Naylor, Polanco
(32:49):
and Suarez, but it does sound like he was there.
Speaker 3 (32:52):
They're certainly trying to bring back one of them.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
Sounded alike that they're in the market for a little
more proven of a relief pitch then the two guys
they just picked up this last couple of weeks. Somebody
that provides some stability.
Speaker 3 (33:06):
In the bullpen.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
Doesn't sound like Luis Castillo's going anywhere to create that
financial space. And I really was intrigued by who he
admitted could be contributors this upcoming season, Colt Emerson from
their prospects, Jorangelosangi even brought up Kate Anderson's name in
that conversation, as well as guys that could end up
(33:28):
contributing this year. I didn't get the impression that you're
going to do that much else beyond what we just outlined.
And yet I think he did kind of leave a
caveat out there of you don't rule out a surprise
either from us. I'm I'm pretty sure he's not gonna
show all of his cards, even as guarded as they
(33:49):
might be, to us here on a radio station interview.
Speaker 3 (33:53):
But that's kind of the impression that I came away with. Yeah,
I got the same thing.
Speaker 5 (33:58):
I mean, the idea of he basically was saying, you know,
a lot of things would have to go right in
order for a lot of things that are out of
his control. So the decisions of the players, how hard
what kind of hardball him and them and their teams
are going to play, what the bidding wars are for
you know, a Polonko and Suarez, so the idea of
(34:19):
getting both of them. Him saying a lot of things
would have to go right is not a very intriguing sign.
But I like the fact that he didn't say, no,
we're not interested in keeping both of them. Yeah, I
wasn't closing the door on it. And and yet he
did say, and we're still going to play in the
free agent market.
Speaker 3 (34:38):
Okay.
Speaker 5 (34:39):
Again, I wouldn't expect him to say, yeah, we're done.
We're done with that, right.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
I do wonder where you're coming up with the money.
If you're telling us that we're going to have this payroll,
you've already said it, and you've already committed to Naylor
and you want to commit to at least one of
the two, Polanco or Suarez.
Speaker 3 (34:57):
Where's that money coming from?
Speaker 2 (34:58):
Then?
Speaker 1 (34:59):
Where are you go to generate money to spend on
the free agent market. I get it if you could
pull off a trade with your prospects that you have
for you know, you go to Minnesota or Tampa or Sacramento,
and they usually try to get rid of guys before
they start making good money.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
That maybe you pull off a trade for something like that.
But it's hard. I mean, what player are you getting
if you're just trying to spend three or four million
in free agency, probably not much.
Speaker 5 (35:27):
Yeah, well, I mean I didn't hear a hard line
of where they're going to stop, right. I think what
I heard was we're going to start where we ended
last season, which was the highest or second highest payroll
in the history. Now, obviously dollars change over the course
of you know, years and decades and whatnot, and so
(35:48):
I am curious to see how they're going to do
it because they have some sort of budget they're running
on and I just don't know how far above where
they ended last year where that budget is.
Speaker 1 (35:56):
Well, we'll have that posted at ninety three three kjar
dot com. Be on our podcast as well. We'll replace
some of it for you tomorrow, probably even spend another
segment replaying a few clips and reacting to them as well.
But good to have him on. I know a lot
of people are invested in where the Mariners go from
here this off season. Also, tomorrow, twelve man rounds able
(36:18):
from eight to nine. Now, that'll do it for us
today though. Coming up next it's Mark James and Christopher
Kidd on Sports Radio ninety three point three KJRFM.
Speaker 6 (36:26):
P you can't miss a thing from today's show because
we're on demand. Their podcast will be up right after
the show.
Speaker 9 (36:32):
Just click on demand on our website at ninety three
three kjr dot com and click on Chucking Bug podcast
to replay anytime anywhere from Sports Radio ninety three point
three kjr FL This we Bore
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com