June 1, 2026 • 20 mins
Former Mariners pitcher and analyst Bill Krueger joins Dave Softy Mahler to talk about the M’s going on a six-game winning streak right now, the change to a six-man starting pitching rotation, how the team handled the rotation changes with Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller’s role, the backup catcher spot when Cal Raleigh returns, and the down AL West.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is Duke of Duke Seafood. Lady, you know that
this hour of Softy in Dick on your home for
the Huskies and Kraken is probably brought to you by
Duke Seafood. Why not make it a Duke's night tonight.
Reserve your table today at Dukeseafood dot com. On Sports
Radio ninety three point three KJARFM, It's.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Time for our weekly conversation with Bill Krueger, brought to
you by the brand new Occidental Hall next to Lumenfield
on Occidental, Seattle's newest hot spot for sports fans with
massive HD screens and a menu backed with Seattle's best
smash burger wings and the best local craft beers in town.
Now with Bill Krueger, here's Safti and Dick.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
All right, boys and girls, we are back on a
busy Monday from Jimmy's on First getting ready for the
Mariners and the Mets. Softy Dick Jackson with you, Dick out.
He's back tomorrow. Jackson back in the studio. But big
thanks to our friends at the Occidental Hall right down
the street for sponsoring this little shin dig. With our
next guest, Bill Krueger with us every Monday at five
right here one KJIRFM.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Billy, how are you, man, I'm really good. Thanks, Thanks Dave.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Well, let's talk about this red hot baseball team, Buddy.
We can get into some details, talk about some players
coming back, the plans for the pitching staff in a minute.
But they've won six in a row. They've opened up
a little bit of a lead on the A's. What's
your take on this team to view from forty thousand
feet as we sit here on the first of June.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Man, Well, I think everybody's been waiting for this club
to kind of catch fire and win some games in
a row. And they kind of found their footing down
in Sacramento and really took the Eights who were ahead
of them in the standings behind the woodshed. And suddenly
the Mariners, even though one hunderd five and were in
first place. But that was a whoopin scored twenty two runs,
(01:44):
allowed the A's, it was supposed to be rigging offensive team,
to score four. The hit left handed pitching destroyed two
starters down there, and the A's kind of showed their
true colors. They don't have a lot of pitching, their
defensive forest and the marriage took advantage, and then they
came home and played a good diamond different style, kind
of a ham and egg hitting team, yep, and they
(02:04):
kept them from scoring a lot of guys on base,
but not a run scored. Elite starting pitching stopped their offense,
and the Marriers did some long ball hitting, which is
really their calling card to sweep that one.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Yeah, and obviously now the story is the rotation and
what's going to happen there. We've been talking about this
all year long. Now we feel like we're kind of
into phase two. I think in some ways build with
this rotation because phase one was the piggyback and now
phase two is the six man rotation.
Speaker 4 (02:34):
So why don't you just.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
First of all give us your thoughts on what you
saw the last three outings with Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo,
and your thoughts on now moving at least temporarily build
to a six man rotation.
Speaker 4 (02:49):
Well, I think you saw the best of both these
pitchers because they both went out fighting for their jobs.
Now granted they've they've reached it to a place now
where all all six are going to pitch. So both
these guys are going to pitch in a rotation, which
is great, great for them, it's not necessarily great in
my estimation. I don't think six man's a way to go.
But this is the excess of riches that the Mariners have.
(03:13):
Bryce Miller I thought was exemplary. I mean, he said
three turns. His control has been dynamite. He's been overwhelming.
First time out was the big, big, big fastball, and
then he saw the touch on his breaking stuff against Oakland,
and then this last game was kind of a combination
of all of it. He had touch on everything, he
had fastball with giddy up on it, and dominated the
(03:36):
Arizona Diamondbacks. I think the only thing that was tantalizing
about him is he left us wanting more. He almost threw.
He had no hear going the first start he had,
the second start he got nicked up a little bit
by the Ads. But the third start, you know, when
you have seventy pitches and he's got a one hit
shutout going, and he's got to come out of the
game because we're all taking turns. So hopefully now both
(03:59):
these guys can take off. I think with Castile, it's
pushed him, it's pushed him to say I'm putting all
of the struggles behind me. I'm fighting for my career
right now, and I'm going to go out and I'm
going to show you that I'm still around. And I
think he did, particularly this last time, where I think
what they did behind closed doors is they made some
(04:19):
pretty hard, strong promises to this guy, these guys, because
when you watch how this thing played out, to chop
off a guy that's got a one hit shut out
after five and then to commit to a guy in
a one run game where it was a little bit like, hey,
we've got some matchup guys in the bullpen to help
us win this ball game, because we do it all
the time, because that's how we play baseball at today's age.
(04:40):
And yet they forego all of that, and he gets
to the finish line, he gets five innings, they win,
it's a feather in his cap. Everybody's happy. It couldn't
have turned out any better. But it could have turned
out differently now, could have per almost line drive, could
have nicked out the top of Cole Young's glove, and
then we got a whole nother kettle of fish to
talk about. But now that's all in the past. Yeah,
(05:02):
both these guys look great to resume their starting careers,
and we could talk about the merits and the pluses
and minuses of the six man rotation if like.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Yeah, let's do that in a minute, because I want
to go back to what you think they talked about
behind closed doors. I mean, nobody knows for certain, but
you would be able to surmise and maybe speculate, maybe
with more of an educated eye than I would, because
you've been in meetings like that. You've been behind the
scenes before Bill and Bill Krueger with us on the
radio show from Jimmy's on a Monday night. But what
(05:31):
do you think they told these guys? I mean, is it, Hey,
you know what, if you both pitched well during this
little stretch of eighteen games and twenty days, then we
might stick with a six man rotation all year long.
If you both pitch well, then I'm sorry, one of
you with a you know, in the end is going
to have to go to the bullpen. I mean, what
do you think those conversations were like, because I guess
I guess my thought, Bill, is this the six men
(05:54):
rotation for Luis and Bryce is great, but it's not
great for Hancocks. Not great for Brian Wugan Gilbert or
George Kirby. That's just one less day, one less turn
for those guys, one more day they have to wait
to get out there, and they're getting out of their rhythm,
which they've been in their entire major league career for
crying out loud. So what do you think those conversations were, Like,
(06:15):
what do you think they said to Luis and Brice.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
I think they said that we're going to divide this
game in half, and we're really going to give the
back end of this to the uise and really gave
him a chance to get the finish line. I mean
they they didn't even budge in the bullpen the whole
time he was out there. And it was a close game,
and you got your full compliment of guys out there
to put out fires and to pitch in leverage situations
(06:40):
because that's how baseball's played, right. So I don't know
if there was a veiled thread of maybe one of
you is going to go to the bullpen. Yeah, I
don't really think that was on the table.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
I'm talking moving forward now. I'm talking moving forward now,
bill More with the six man rotation, so like, honestly,
do you think they would potentially stick with this six
man rotation all year long? Or is this is this
a battle between Bryce and Louise and one's got to go.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
No, I think they're going to make a commitment to
six man. You've got a lot of money you owe
Luis Castillo, and he's proven that he deserves to pitch
in the rotation and that's what he's done its whole career. Now,
whether or not, as this thing moves along, there could
be an opportunity. Let's say Louise continues to pitch well,
everybody's healthy in the rotation, that there's an opportunity to
(07:29):
move Louis to a team where they could pick up
a contract probably that would be heavy, and give them
a place to put him on the field, the right
handed bat. I mean, I think that's something that they
would have to take a good look at, right right,
whether it's a leverage reliever. Since they didn't move Bryce
Miller to the bullpen, they stuck with him in the rotation,
(07:51):
and you know, I'm you know, I made the argument
that it would be great to put Miller out there,
and and I didn't mean to shortchange Miller's ability as
a start, because he's clearly an elite starter. I was
just trying to think of how could they best serve
the team, because you're right, six man is not the
way to go. Five man is the way to go. Now,
who does it help? It probably helps the club and
(08:14):
probably without Brian, who really wanting to admit it, it
helps him stay healthy, gives them a little bit more rest.
He's had a couple of TJ's, he's gotten hurt, even
though he's so consistent and probably tells the world that
he wants to pitch to Ornatis, but they're not going
to let him do that. Now they're for sure not
going to have him do that. It helps him, it
(08:34):
helps who else? It helps Logan Gilbert because we've seen
Logan when he gets the nextra day of rest, he's
better because he's a tough guy. When he's got two
more clicks on his fastball, he's better because he wants
to show you a big below and pitch with his
assortment of tricks, all his breaking stuff. That's how he
wants to pitch. So it's less about touch with him
(08:55):
and more about health and strength. Who does it hurt?
It hurts George Kirby's strike thrower, and he needs to
pitch every five days. He's caring operated but what's how's
he pitched the last couple of times. Not as good?
Not as good. He's going to have to find ways
to keep his touch. And the same goes for Emerson.
Hancock's similar picture. Not a stuffed guy, really, He's becoming
(09:15):
more of a strike thrower with purpose, and it hurts him.
He's young, he needs to pitch a little bit more often.
He's healthy, So it's a mixed bag, right, And as
far as Bryce Millers go, I think it could help
Bryce because Bryce seems to be better when he's got
a little le extra rest. He's been hurt the last
year and a half and I think, you know, the
jury's out on whether or not he could stay healthy,
(09:38):
So hey, it probably helps him. And as far as
Luis is concerned, he's got so much experience, I don't
think it really makes a big difference with him. But
like anyone that's used to pitching on five days, it
probably doesn't help him a whole lot. But you know,
he's in a position where he's got to just hold
on to his spot in the rotation and see what happens.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Yeah, well that's I think that extra reliever you're talking
about Bill should be Luis Castile. I think we've learned
that he can pitch in that role. He can go
to the bullpen. You know, there was a kind of
a question mark before this piggyback thing started, Billy, how
would he respond to the bullpen? And he's responded magnificently.
So that's what I would do. If I were in
charge of the world, I'd go with a six man
(10:20):
rotation for the next couple of weeks, get through this stretch,
and then I want my best guys going every fifth day.
And I think Luis Castillo could be a massive weapon
for these guys in the bullpen and give you a
great option for a spot starter if you need one.
If somebody goes down.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Well he's not going to go for that. And sometimes
he can't get your way in life, I know. And
the other thing is is that he's doing band work,
he's doing all this stuff. He knows exactly when he's
going to come in the game. Right. That's not going
to be the case for you're the long man, yeh yeh,
or you're covering the middle of the game, and that
we don't know how well he will do with that.
He'll do what he has to do to be the
(10:56):
elite pitcher that he is. But you know, this, this
is this is difficult stuff. They had this big power
about this. They had to some find some some middle
ground with these two guys to keep them going and
not let this thing unravel on them. Yeah, right, right,
as much as Luise and Luis has been an exemplary teammate,
an exemplary teammate, always there for the other pitchers, positive
(11:18):
happy guy you know, never says Boo, you know plays
for the team. So he's earned the opportunity to pitch
as a starter, in my opinion, and they also want
to make market for him, right right, there's a lot
of pieces to this puzzle.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
Well, here's the problem. They've all earned it, I mean,
all the all, all six of these guys have earned it.
Like nobody's done anything to get demoted to anybody or anything.
So I mean, in the end, like you said, it's
a phenomenal problem to have, but at some point you've
got to figure it out and let it all sort
out and kind of stick with a plan here. But
Luke Luke Railey has been crushing the baseball bill. He's
(11:54):
got a nine to thirty two OPS. He's on pace
for thirty five home runs and eighty four RBIs. That
would be career highs by far in both categories. He's
still not really going up against lefties. Maybe that will
change at some point, But are you buying that this
power surge from Luke Rayley is going to continue and
we're going to see a thirty home run guy.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
By the end of the year. Well, I think every
time you double the numbers, you have to be careful
because you hit the streaks. He's going to streak just
like anybody else. And they want to continue to keep
him as much against right handed pitching as possible. They
did hit him last yesterday against the left handed pitcher.
There was some extenuating circumstances, Yeah, because the Diamondbacks only
(12:37):
had one left handed reliever and with two lefties coming
up behind him, they let him go ahead and get
hit against Garcia. It ended up working like a term
because Robaz ends up coming in as a pinch runner,
ends up being the guy that gets the chance to
hit the ball in the tenth inning and wins the game.
I mean, it couldn't have been more beautifully sewn together,
with lots and lots and lots of questions that are riffed,
(12:57):
but it all worked. But I do I think, right,
he's gonna hit thirty. I think he's capable. I think
he's going to hit twenty five. I think he's going
to add a year. But I wouldn't jump to conclusions
that he can be a platoon player and hit thirty
home runs. That's a that's a feat, right, because you're
not getting as many as baths as the other guys.
I want to bring up one o the things because
I now make this quick. I made this whole commentary
(13:21):
around Bryce Miller in the bullpen, and I look wrong
because he's been so brilliant as a starter, like brilliant, right,
And I felt it was in the best inch of
the team. And have Castillo is the sixth starter and
pitch five innings blah blah blah, and then you have
this weapon down there. Well, here's the other side of it.
You know, who knows what Bryce Miller might be if
he went down there and turned the lights out like
(13:42):
he does, and he's a better pitcher in short burst,
I think I don't know if he's going to be
a great six or seventy in pitcher. That remains to
be seen. He might be the next great Elgue closer
in waiting, just leaving it out there. Our closer is
not pitching real good right now, and I worry about hisself.
So that's kind of where I was thinking ahead about
Bryce Miller, and not to take anything away from Andres Muniers.
(14:03):
Has he been great? Yes, he's one of our most
important pictures. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying down
the road. That's how I was thinking about it. Plus,
it loads the box and gives us a stronger bullpen.
So I just wanted to leave that out there that yes,
you could say that I'm wrong, because Miller's been brilliant
as a starter, and he's already been bringing at the
starter and he's capable of being a one or two.
(14:26):
You're right, he can't be.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
I'm glad that we cleared that up. Bill Bill Krueger, No,
you're good. Bill Krueger with us on the radio show.
I want to ask you about Cal Roley. He met
with the media I think over the weekend and said, hey,
we should know more of a timeline on Mike kind
of return with the oblique injury that did the side
injury or whatever the hell it is, maybe midpoint this week.
(14:49):
But when he comes back, obviously Garver, Paraeda, somebody eventually
is going to have to go. And there seems to
be this little bit of a drum beat that maybe
it's ti to keep Johnny Pareda and let Mitch Garver walk.
I mean, his salary is way more manageable this year
than it was a year ago. Can you see any
scenario where they choose Johnny Parreeda over Mitch Garb when
(15:12):
cal Raley returns.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
Well, the thing about Pareda is he has I believe
he has options, and so they have that in their
back pocket. Parada is playing like it's you know, he
needs a chance to stick on a team because you know,
he's got an elite throwing arm, and he's got a
short swing. I like him. He's puts the ball in
play and he hits the ball hard. Now, he doesn't
have the home run power that Garb does, nor the experience.
(15:37):
He's getting a little bit better on the the ABS
system I'm calling, you know, challenging pitches. He's getting a
little better at that at first he was lost and
now he's getting much better at it and receiving wise.
You know, Garber can't play every day, and so Parada
is a little bit more able to play more sticularly
(15:57):
if they're going to be h Rawley a little bit
and try to protect him. So, very interesting topic. Garver's
a favorite of the staff. I guarantee you that they
all comfort, a lot of them comfortable throwing to him,
like the way he calls the game. And then Prede
has got so much more offensive ability. He's got a
better throwing arm. He's better equipped, I think as a
catcher than Garb. Garver's just smart. Garb is a very
(16:20):
smart catcher, but not a great catcher, and he's got
a little bit of pop, but he's not nearly puts
the ball in play as hard as Parade does. So
very interesting thing. The easy thing, which is probably where
they go is that Parade is that eye the option right,
That's the easy place to go. And then if Garber
continues to slip and not hit and they start seeing that,
(16:42):
you know, Roley needs to DH more and play less
than Predeo'll probably come back up and then they'll make
a move with Garb.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Yeah right, don't make a decision until you have to.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
Man right now, you've got to art the pitching things.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Yeah right, yeah, exactly. Well, you know what, look, I mean,
it just shows you that there's teams deep, they've got
talent on him, and I think, personally, I think they're
about to run away with the West. And in my opinion,
maybe I'm being a homer, maybe I'm just being you know,
a little bit too optimistic and maybe a prisoner of
the moment bill, but I see a baseball team that's
got a plus thirty run differential in front of a
(17:15):
team that's got a minus thirty four run to differential.
This likely will be a chase between the Mariners and
Rangers when it's all said and done. But just real quick,
in the final minute, are you are you sharing that
optimism that the Mariners have grabbed first place and they're
they're not going to give it up the rest of
the year.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
I believe you're right, notwithstanding things that can happen that
that we can't foresee. I mean, I'm kind of betting
on the com that both the Donovan and Raleigh return
and play, you know, close to their abilities, and I
think the only thing they could stand their way is
(17:55):
you know, they they get their bullpen gets taxed, and
they're not one to let those starters pitch because they
can't have more refs. You got to see those starters
try to carry the seventh inning a little bit more,
get into the seventh inning, carry the seventh inning, push
him a little bit more because they got extra refs.
Because you're a little bear out there when it comes
to covering, even in behind games. So that's the concern.
(18:17):
You're a little concerned about chemistry when Donovan comes back,
a little concerned. So there's some stuff there that they
have to work their way through, manage. I mean, if
anybody can do it as Dan Wilson, because he's just
so diplomatic, he's so positive, and I think they respect
him so much that I think they'll figure out away.
Dan is probably a great intermediary because a lot of
(18:38):
the stuff's coming down from the top question managing this.
He's massaging it, trying to think about the player and
trying to be mindful of what the club wants. But
there couldn't be a better guy than Dan, because Dan's
just such a great person, right right, So yeah, I
think there's some stuff, but I agree. I think this
team is going to stay there. I don't think they're
(18:58):
going to get moved out of there. Yeah, they're gonna
have some ups and downs. You know. They got to
continue to remember, hey, this is how we play right,
we play cleaner baseball, and we have to get more
comfortable with how we, you know, deplay our players and
continue to understand better what works. So all that stuff
has to come together if they're going to continue to win.
(19:18):
But I believe they're going to be a first player.
Speaker 3 (19:21):
You're so right about Dan and the manager. He's almost
there just to kind of be an intermediary between the
players and the front office and represent those guys right
and have their back because he's with them every single
day for a buck sixty two. And he does not
strike me as the kind of guy that would look
at a player and say, shut the hell up, do
what you're told. This is what Jerry wants.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
Right.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
That doesn't sound at all like something Dan Wilson would say.
All right, Billy, you're the man. Great stuff. Hey, real
quick before you take off. What's going on today on
the golf course by the way.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Yeah, So I am involved with the Madrone School, which
is a school for kids with autism at Redmond, kids
that can't make it in regular school A five to eighteen.
And we're just getting into our brand new location in Redmond,
very excited about having our second annual golf tournament to
raise money. We're up at the golf club. It's called
me Ridge. The day is perfect. We are excited to
(20:13):
bring our field almost a full field up here of
people that are getting to know the Madron School and
hoping to have a fun day and hopefully we raise
some box.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
I love it. Hey, great stuff, great cause you're a
good egg and we're talking a week man. Appreciate this, buddy.
Speaker 4 (20:28):
My pleasure today.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Thank you all right, Bill Cruder with us on the
radio show again, big thanks to our friends at the
Accidental Hall. Great spot before and after every Mariner game
and Sea Ok game right there across from the Northwest
entrance to Luman Field.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
We're going to break up.
This is Duke of Duke Seafood. Lady, you know that
this hour of Softy in Dick on your home for
the Huskies and Kraken is probably brought to you by
Duke Seafood. Why not make it a Duke's night tonight.
Reserve your table today at Dukeseafood dot com. On Sports
Radio ninety three point three KJARFM, It's.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Time for our weekly conversation with Bill Krueger, brought to
you by the brand new Occidental Hall next to Lumenfield
on Occidental, Seattle's newest hot spot for sports fans with
massive HD screens and a menu backed with Seattle's best
smash burger wings and the best local craft beers in town.
Now with Bill Krueger, here's Safti and Dick.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
All right, boys and girls, we are back on a
busy Monday from Jimmy's on First getting ready for the
Mariners and the Mets. Softy Dick Jackson with you, Dick out.
He's back tomorrow. Jackson back in the studio. But big
thanks to our friends at the Occidental Hall right down
the street for sponsoring this little shin dig. With our
next guest, Bill Krueger with us every Monday at five
right here one KJIRFM.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Billy, how are you, man, I'm really good. Thanks, Thanks Dave.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Well, let's talk about this red hot baseball team, Buddy.
We can get into some details, talk about some players
coming back, the plans for the pitching staff in a minute.
But they've won six in a row. They've opened up
a little bit of a lead on the A's. What's
your take on this team to view from forty thousand
feet as we sit here on the first of June.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Man, Well, I think everybody's been waiting for this club
to kind of catch fire and win some games in
a row. And they kind of found their footing down
in Sacramento and really took the Eights who were ahead
of them in the standings behind the woodshed. And suddenly
the Mariners, even though one hunderd five and were in
first place. But that was a whoopin scored twenty two runs,
(01:44):
allowed the A's, it was supposed to be rigging offensive team,
to score four. The hit left handed pitching destroyed two
starters down there, and the A's kind of showed their
true colors. They don't have a lot of pitching, their
defensive forest and the marriage took advantage, and then they
came home and played a good diamond different style, kind
of a ham and egg hitting team, yep, and they
(02:04):
kept them from scoring a lot of guys on base,
but not a run scored. Elite starting pitching stopped their offense,
and the Marriers did some long ball hitting, which is
really their calling card to sweep that one.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Yeah, and obviously now the story is the rotation and
what's going to happen there. We've been talking about this
all year long. Now we feel like we're kind of
into phase two. I think in some ways build with
this rotation because phase one was the piggyback and now
phase two is the six man rotation.
Speaker 4 (02:34):
So why don't you just.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
First of all give us your thoughts on what you
saw the last three outings with Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo,
and your thoughts on now moving at least temporarily build
to a six man rotation.
Speaker 4 (02:49):
Well, I think you saw the best of both these
pitchers because they both went out fighting for their jobs.
Now granted they've they've reached it to a place now
where all all six are going to pitch. So both
these guys are going to pitch in a rotation, which
is great, great for them, it's not necessarily great in
my estimation. I don't think six man's a way to go.
But this is the excess of riches that the Mariners have.
(03:13):
Bryce Miller I thought was exemplary. I mean, he said
three turns. His control has been dynamite. He's been overwhelming.
First time out was the big, big, big fastball, and
then he saw the touch on his breaking stuff against Oakland,
and then this last game was kind of a combination
of all of it. He had touch on everything, he
had fastball with giddy up on it, and dominated the
(03:36):
Arizona Diamondbacks. I think the only thing that was tantalizing
about him is he left us wanting more. He almost threw.
He had no hear going the first start he had,
the second start he got nicked up a little bit
by the Ads. But the third start, you know, when
you have seventy pitches and he's got a one hit
shutout going, and he's got to come out of the
game because we're all taking turns. So hopefully now both
(03:59):
these guys can take off. I think with Castile, it's
pushed him, it's pushed him to say I'm putting all
of the struggles behind me. I'm fighting for my career
right now, and I'm going to go out and I'm
going to show you that I'm still around. And I
think he did, particularly this last time, where I think
what they did behind closed doors is they made some
(04:19):
pretty hard, strong promises to this guy, these guys, because
when you watch how this thing played out, to chop
off a guy that's got a one hit shut out
after five and then to commit to a guy in
a one run game where it was a little bit like, hey,
we've got some matchup guys in the bullpen to help
us win this ball game, because we do it all
the time, because that's how we play baseball at today's age.
(04:40):
And yet they forego all of that, and he gets
to the finish line, he gets five innings, they win,
it's a feather in his cap. Everybody's happy. It couldn't
have turned out any better. But it could have turned
out differently now, could have per almost line drive, could
have nicked out the top of Cole Young's glove, and
then we got a whole nother kettle of fish to
talk about. But now that's all in the past. Yeah,
(05:02):
both these guys look great to resume their starting careers,
and we could talk about the merits and the pluses
and minuses of the six man rotation if like.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Yeah, let's do that in a minute, because I want
to go back to what you think they talked about
behind closed doors. I mean, nobody knows for certain, but
you would be able to surmise and maybe speculate, maybe
with more of an educated eye than I would, because
you've been in meetings like that. You've been behind the
scenes before Bill and Bill Krueger with us on the
radio show from Jimmy's on a Monday night. But what
(05:31):
do you think they told these guys? I mean, is it, Hey,
you know what, if you both pitched well during this
little stretch of eighteen games and twenty days, then we
might stick with a six man rotation all year long.
If you both pitch well, then I'm sorry, one of
you with a you know, in the end is going
to have to go to the bullpen. I mean, what
do you think those conversations were like, because I guess
I guess my thought, Bill, is this the six men
(05:54):
rotation for Luis and Bryce is great, but it's not
great for Hancocks. Not great for Brian Wugan Gilbert or
George Kirby. That's just one less day, one less turn
for those guys, one more day they have to wait
to get out there, and they're getting out of their rhythm,
which they've been in their entire major league career for
crying out loud. So what do you think those conversations were, Like,
(06:15):
what do you think they said to Luis and Brice.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
I think they said that we're going to divide this
game in half, and we're really going to give the
back end of this to the uise and really gave
him a chance to get the finish line. I mean
they they didn't even budge in the bullpen the whole
time he was out there. And it was a close game,
and you got your full compliment of guys out there
to put out fires and to pitch in leverage situations
(06:40):
because that's how baseball's played, right. So I don't know
if there was a veiled thread of maybe one of
you is going to go to the bullpen. Yeah, I
don't really think that was on the table.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
I'm talking moving forward now. I'm talking moving forward now,
bill More with the six man rotation, so like, honestly,
do you think they would potentially stick with this six
man rotation all year long? Or is this is this
a battle between Bryce and Louise and one's got to go.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
No, I think they're going to make a commitment to
six man. You've got a lot of money you owe
Luis Castillo, and he's proven that he deserves to pitch
in the rotation and that's what he's done its whole career. Now,
whether or not, as this thing moves along, there could
be an opportunity. Let's say Louise continues to pitch well,
everybody's healthy in the rotation, that there's an opportunity to
(07:29):
move Louis to a team where they could pick up
a contract probably that would be heavy, and give them
a place to put him on the field, the right
handed bat. I mean, I think that's something that they
would have to take a good look at, right right,
whether it's a leverage reliever. Since they didn't move Bryce
Miller to the bullpen, they stuck with him in the rotation,
(07:51):
and you know, I'm you know, I made the argument
that it would be great to put Miller out there,
and and I didn't mean to shortchange Miller's ability as
a start, because he's clearly an elite starter. I was
just trying to think of how could they best serve
the team, because you're right, six man is not the
way to go. Five man is the way to go. Now,
who does it help? It probably helps the club and
(08:14):
probably without Brian, who really wanting to admit it, it
helps him stay healthy, gives them a little bit more rest.
He's had a couple of TJ's, he's gotten hurt, even
though he's so consistent and probably tells the world that
he wants to pitch to Ornatis, but they're not going
to let him do that. Now they're for sure not
going to have him do that. It helps him, it
(08:34):
helps who else? It helps Logan Gilbert because we've seen
Logan when he gets the nextra day of rest, he's
better because he's a tough guy. When he's got two
more clicks on his fastball, he's better because he wants
to show you a big below and pitch with his
assortment of tricks, all his breaking stuff. That's how he
wants to pitch. So it's less about touch with him
(08:55):
and more about health and strength. Who does it hurt?
It hurts George Kirby's strike thrower, and he needs to
pitch every five days. He's caring operated but what's how's
he pitched the last couple of times. Not as good?
Not as good. He's going to have to find ways
to keep his touch. And the same goes for Emerson.
Hancock's similar picture. Not a stuffed guy, really, He's becoming
(09:15):
more of a strike thrower with purpose, and it hurts him.
He's young, he needs to pitch a little bit more often.
He's healthy, So it's a mixed bag, right, And as
far as Bryce Millers go, I think it could help
Bryce because Bryce seems to be better when he's got
a little le extra rest. He's been hurt the last
year and a half and I think, you know, the
jury's out on whether or not he could stay healthy,
(09:38):
So hey, it probably helps him. And as far as
Luis is concerned, he's got so much experience, I don't
think it really makes a big difference with him. But
like anyone that's used to pitching on five days, it
probably doesn't help him a whole lot. But you know,
he's in a position where he's got to just hold
on to his spot in the rotation and see what happens.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Yeah, well that's I think that extra reliever you're talking
about Bill should be Luis Castile. I think we've learned
that he can pitch in that role. He can go
to the bullpen. You know, there was a kind of
a question mark before this piggyback thing started, Billy, how
would he respond to the bullpen? And he's responded magnificently.
So that's what I would do. If I were in
charge of the world, I'd go with a six man
(10:20):
rotation for the next couple of weeks, get through this stretch,
and then I want my best guys going every fifth day.
And I think Luis Castillo could be a massive weapon
for these guys in the bullpen and give you a
great option for a spot starter if you need one.
If somebody goes down.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Well he's not going to go for that. And sometimes
he can't get your way in life, I know. And
the other thing is is that he's doing band work,
he's doing all this stuff. He knows exactly when he's
going to come in the game. Right. That's not going
to be the case for you're the long man, yeh yeh,
or you're covering the middle of the game, and that
we don't know how well he will do with that.
He'll do what he has to do to be the
(10:56):
elite pitcher that he is. But you know, this, this
is this is difficult stuff. They had this big power
about this. They had to some find some some middle
ground with these two guys to keep them going and
not let this thing unravel on them. Yeah, right, right,
as much as Luise and Luis has been an exemplary teammate,
an exemplary teammate, always there for the other pitchers, positive
(11:18):
happy guy you know, never says Boo, you know plays
for the team. So he's earned the opportunity to pitch
as a starter, in my opinion, and they also want
to make market for him, right right, there's a lot
of pieces to this puzzle.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
Well, here's the problem. They've all earned it, I mean,
all the all, all six of these guys have earned it.
Like nobody's done anything to get demoted to anybody or anything.
So I mean, in the end, like you said, it's
a phenomenal problem to have, but at some point you've
got to figure it out and let it all sort
out and kind of stick with a plan here. But
Luke Luke Railey has been crushing the baseball bill. He's
(11:54):
got a nine to thirty two OPS. He's on pace
for thirty five home runs and eighty four RBIs. That
would be career highs by far in both categories. He's
still not really going up against lefties. Maybe that will
change at some point, But are you buying that this
power surge from Luke Rayley is going to continue and
we're going to see a thirty home run guy.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
By the end of the year. Well, I think every
time you double the numbers, you have to be careful
because you hit the streaks. He's going to streak just
like anybody else. And they want to continue to keep
him as much against right handed pitching as possible. They
did hit him last yesterday against the left handed pitcher.
There was some extenuating circumstances, Yeah, because the Diamondbacks only
(12:37):
had one left handed reliever and with two lefties coming
up behind him, they let him go ahead and get
hit against Garcia. It ended up working like a term
because Robaz ends up coming in as a pinch runner,
ends up being the guy that gets the chance to
hit the ball in the tenth inning and wins the game.
I mean, it couldn't have been more beautifully sewn together,
with lots and lots and lots of questions that are riffed,
(12:57):
but it all worked. But I do I think, right,
he's gonna hit thirty. I think he's capable. I think
he's going to hit twenty five. I think he's going
to add a year. But I wouldn't jump to conclusions
that he can be a platoon player and hit thirty
home runs. That's a that's a feat, right, because you're
not getting as many as baths as the other guys.
I want to bring up one o the things because
I now make this quick. I made this whole commentary
(13:21):
around Bryce Miller in the bullpen, and I look wrong
because he's been so brilliant as a starter, like brilliant, right,
And I felt it was in the best inch of
the team. And have Castillo is the sixth starter and
pitch five innings blah blah blah, and then you have
this weapon down there. Well, here's the other side of it.
You know, who knows what Bryce Miller might be if
he went down there and turned the lights out like
(13:42):
he does, and he's a better pitcher in short burst,
I think I don't know if he's going to be
a great six or seventy in pitcher. That remains to
be seen. He might be the next great Elgue closer
in waiting, just leaving it out there. Our closer is
not pitching real good right now, and I worry about hisself.
So that's kind of where I was thinking ahead about
Bryce Miller, and not to take anything away from Andres Muniers.
(14:03):
Has he been great? Yes, he's one of our most
important pictures. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying down
the road. That's how I was thinking about it. Plus,
it loads the box and gives us a stronger bullpen.
So I just wanted to leave that out there that yes,
you could say that I'm wrong, because Miller's been brilliant
as a starter, and he's already been bringing at the
starter and he's capable of being a one or two.
(14:26):
You're right, he can't be.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
I'm glad that we cleared that up. Bill Bill Krueger, No,
you're good. Bill Krueger with us on the radio show.
I want to ask you about Cal Roley. He met
with the media I think over the weekend and said, hey,
we should know more of a timeline on Mike kind
of return with the oblique injury that did the side
injury or whatever the hell it is, maybe midpoint this week.
(14:49):
But when he comes back, obviously Garver, Paraeda, somebody eventually
is going to have to go. And there seems to
be this little bit of a drum beat that maybe
it's ti to keep Johnny Pareda and let Mitch Garver walk.
I mean, his salary is way more manageable this year
than it was a year ago. Can you see any
scenario where they choose Johnny Parreeda over Mitch Garb when
(15:12):
cal Raley returns.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
Well, the thing about Pareda is he has I believe
he has options, and so they have that in their
back pocket. Parada is playing like it's you know, he
needs a chance to stick on a team because you know,
he's got an elite throwing arm, and he's got a
short swing. I like him. He's puts the ball in
play and he hits the ball hard. Now, he doesn't
have the home run power that Garb does, nor the experience.
(15:37):
He's getting a little bit better on the the ABS
system I'm calling, you know, challenging pitches. He's getting a
little better at that at first he was lost and
now he's getting much better at it and receiving wise.
You know, Garber can't play every day, and so Parada
is a little bit more able to play more sticularly
(15:57):
if they're going to be h Rawley a little bit
and try to protect him. So, very interesting topic. Garver's
a favorite of the staff. I guarantee you that they
all comfort, a lot of them comfortable throwing to him,
like the way he calls the game. And then Prede
has got so much more offensive ability. He's got a
better throwing arm. He's better equipped, I think as a
catcher than Garb. Garver's just smart. Garb is a very
(16:20):
smart catcher, but not a great catcher, and he's got
a little bit of pop, but he's not nearly puts
the ball in play as hard as Parade does. So
very interesting thing. The easy thing, which is probably where
they go is that Parade is that eye the option right,
That's the easy place to go. And then if Garber
continues to slip and not hit and they start seeing that,
(16:42):
you know, Roley needs to DH more and play less
than Predeo'll probably come back up and then they'll make
a move with Garb.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Yeah right, don't make a decision until you have to.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
Man right now, you've got to art the pitching things.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Yeah right, yeah, exactly. Well, you know what, look, I mean,
it just shows you that there's teams deep, they've got
talent on him, and I think, personally, I think they're
about to run away with the West. And in my opinion,
maybe I'm being a homer, maybe I'm just being you know,
a little bit too optimistic and maybe a prisoner of
the moment bill, but I see a baseball team that's
got a plus thirty run differential in front of a
(17:15):
team that's got a minus thirty four run to differential.
This likely will be a chase between the Mariners and
Rangers when it's all said and done. But just real quick,
in the final minute, are you are you sharing that
optimism that the Mariners have grabbed first place and they're
they're not going to give it up the rest of
the year.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
I believe you're right, notwithstanding things that can happen that
that we can't foresee. I mean, I'm kind of betting
on the com that both the Donovan and Raleigh return
and play, you know, close to their abilities, and I
think the only thing they could stand their way is
(17:55):
you know, they they get their bullpen gets taxed, and
they're not one to let those starters pitch because they
can't have more refs. You got to see those starters
try to carry the seventh inning a little bit more,
get into the seventh inning, carry the seventh inning, push
him a little bit more because they got extra refs.
Because you're a little bear out there when it comes
to covering, even in behind games. So that's the concern.
(18:17):
You're a little concerned about chemistry when Donovan comes back,
a little concerned. So there's some stuff there that they
have to work their way through, manage. I mean, if
anybody can do it as Dan Wilson, because he's just
so diplomatic, he's so positive, and I think they respect
him so much that I think they'll figure out away.
Dan is probably a great intermediary because a lot of
(18:38):
the stuff's coming down from the top question managing this.
He's massaging it, trying to think about the player and
trying to be mindful of what the club wants. But
there couldn't be a better guy than Dan, because Dan's
just such a great person, right right, So yeah, I
think there's some stuff, but I agree. I think this
team is going to stay there. I don't think they're
(18:58):
going to get moved out of there. Yeah, they're gonna
have some ups and downs. You know. They got to
continue to remember, hey, this is how we play right,
we play cleaner baseball, and we have to get more
comfortable with how we, you know, deplay our players and
continue to understand better what works. So all that stuff
has to come together if they're going to continue to win.
(19:18):
But I believe they're going to be a first player.
Speaker 3 (19:21):
You're so right about Dan and the manager. He's almost
there just to kind of be an intermediary between the
players and the front office and represent those guys right
and have their back because he's with them every single
day for a buck sixty two. And he does not
strike me as the kind of guy that would look
at a player and say, shut the hell up, do
what you're told. This is what Jerry wants.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
Right.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
That doesn't sound at all like something Dan Wilson would say.
All right, Billy, you're the man. Great stuff. Hey, real
quick before you take off. What's going on today on
the golf course by the way.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Yeah, So I am involved with the Madrone School, which
is a school for kids with autism at Redmond, kids
that can't make it in regular school A five to eighteen.
And we're just getting into our brand new location in Redmond,
very excited about having our second annual golf tournament to
raise money. We're up at the golf club. It's called
me Ridge. The day is perfect. We are excited to
(20:13):
bring our field almost a full field up here of
people that are getting to know the Madron School and
hoping to have a fun day and hopefully we raise
some box.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
I love it. Hey, great stuff, great cause you're a
good egg and we're talking a week man. Appreciate this, buddy.
Speaker 4 (20:28):
My pleasure today.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Thank you all right, Bill Cruder with us on the
radio show again, big thanks to our friends at the
Accidental Hall. Great spot before and after every Mariner game
and Sea Ok game right there across from the Northwest
entrance to Luman Field.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
We're going to break up.
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