Ryan Blake
@swingsandtakes.com
I write about the Mariners for https://lookoutlanding.bsky.social/
(Former barn https://swingsandtakes.com)
(Former barn https://swingsandtakes.com)
Julio started covering middle-middle again in 2025
February 2, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Julio started covering middle-middle again in 2025
And well there it is
February 2, 2026 at 6:29 PM
And well there it is
Mark McLemore AND Mike Cameron, to be clear
"Commemorating the Mariners 116 win team and honoring the 25th anniversary of the tragic events on September 11th"
"Commemorating the Mariners 116 win team and honoring the 25th anniversary of the tragic events on September 11th"
February 1, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Mark McLemore AND Mike Cameron, to be clear
"Commemorating the Mariners 116 win team and honoring the 25th anniversary of the tragic events on September 11th"
"Commemorating the Mariners 116 win team and honoring the 25th anniversary of the tragic events on September 11th"
Actually Kraken vs. California begins tonight
Hey Anaheim
Hey Anaheim
January 24, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Actually Kraken vs. California begins tonight
Hey Anaheim
Hey Anaheim
First nine batters: .529 OPS (sixth in MLB)
Next nine batters: 1.022 OPS (last in MLB)
tOPS+ of 37 is top 20 all time
With just one look, Evans goes from an elite contact suppressor to the most hittable pitcher in baseball.
Next nine batters: 1.022 OPS (last in MLB)
tOPS+ of 37 is top 20 all time
With just one look, Evans goes from an elite contact suppressor to the most hittable pitcher in baseball.
January 21, 2026 at 9:13 PM
First nine batters: .529 OPS (sixth in MLB)
Next nine batters: 1.022 OPS (last in MLB)
tOPS+ of 37 is top 20 all time
With just one look, Evans goes from an elite contact suppressor to the most hittable pitcher in baseball.
Next nine batters: 1.022 OPS (last in MLB)
tOPS+ of 37 is top 20 all time
With just one look, Evans goes from an elite contact suppressor to the most hittable pitcher in baseball.
Trenchant analysis as always
January 18, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Trenchant analysis as always
WA SAO released its 2024 financial report for BPFD (the entity that oversees T-Mobile Park). The report shows revenue BPFD collected from the state admissions tax and from its revenue sharing agreement with the team. This allows an estimate for ticket sales.
In 2024: $161M total for T-Mobile Park.
In 2024: $161M total for T-Mobile Park.
January 16, 2026 at 4:45 PM
WA SAO released its 2024 financial report for BPFD (the entity that oversees T-Mobile Park). The report shows revenue BPFD collected from the state admissions tax and from its revenue sharing agreement with the team. This allows an estimate for ticket sales.
In 2024: $161M total for T-Mobile Park.
In 2024: $161M total for T-Mobile Park.
J.P. Crawford's career 146 wRC+ in high leverage situation is ninth -- NINTH! -- all time on Fangraphs' leaderboards. Here's his performance by leverage since 2021:
January 12, 2026 at 10:32 PM
J.P. Crawford's career 146 wRC+ in high leverage situation is ninth -- NINTH! -- all time on Fangraphs' leaderboards. Here's his performance by leverage since 2021:
Obviously a lot of value tied up in a thing he won't be able to do much longer, but he's keeping pace with the late bloomers.
January 12, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Obviously a lot of value tied up in a thing he won't be able to do much longer, but he's keeping pace with the late bloomers.
Christmas gifts to myself this year were annual memberships for Baseball Prospectus and Fangraphs and also this mug
December 27, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Christmas gifts to myself this year were annual memberships for Baseball Prospectus and Fangraphs and also this mug
Christmas
Christmas
Christmas
Oh Christmas
You Christmas you
Christmas
Christmas
Christmas
Christmas
Oh Christmas
You Christmas you
Christmas
Christmas
December 25, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Christmas
Christmas
Christmas
Oh Christmas
You Christmas you
Christmas
Christmas
Christmas
Christmas
Oh Christmas
You Christmas you
Christmas
Christmas
Black asterisk is at $148M, so about $20M up since the offseason began but still $40M short of the 2025 year-end payroll, $100M short of the luxury tax.
December 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Black asterisk is at $148M, so about $20M up since the offseason began but still $40M short of the 2025 year-end payroll, $100M short of the luxury tax.
Jorge Polanco stood left-on-left for the first time in his career in 2025!
December 16, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Jorge Polanco stood left-on-left for the first time in his career in 2025!
The story of that season was, of course, was an underperforming offense, which eventually led to several firings. Once Edgar joined the team, the quotes from players really emphasized a simplified approach from top to bottom.
This was my take after the season.
swingsandtakes.com/241007-edgar...
This was my take after the season.
swingsandtakes.com/241007-edgar...
December 11, 2025 at 10:14 PM
The story of that season was, of course, was an underperforming offense, which eventually led to several firings. Once Edgar joined the team, the quotes from players really emphasized a simplified approach from top to bottom.
This was my take after the season.
swingsandtakes.com/241007-edgar...
This was my take after the season.
swingsandtakes.com/241007-edgar...
This made me think of Brant Brown, who filled this role for the Mariners to begin 2024. I liked much of what he said, but it always seemed like too much info or maybe just not the right voice.
I think Goldsmith had the best summary of the philosophy.
sports.mynorthwest.com/brock-and-sa...
I think Goldsmith had the best summary of the philosophy.
sports.mynorthwest.com/brock-and-sa...
December 11, 2025 at 10:05 PM
This made me think of Brant Brown, who filled this role for the Mariners to begin 2024. I liked much of what he said, but it always seemed like too much info or maybe just not the right voice.
I think Goldsmith had the best summary of the philosophy.
sports.mynorthwest.com/brock-and-sa...
I think Goldsmith had the best summary of the philosophy.
sports.mynorthwest.com/brock-and-sa...
I expect the Mariners will begin 2026 with their best projection ever, but much in the same way they began 2025 with their best projection ever.
December 10, 2025 at 10:04 PM
I expect the Mariners will begin 2026 with their best projection ever, but much in the same way they began 2025 with their best projection ever.
The Mariners projections are already in line with their Opening Day projections from the last 3-4 years. They are good enough to win the AL West or miss the playoffs.
Another $30 million (and roughly 4 fWAR) would be an aberration, but it would solidify them as one of MLB's best teams on paper.
Another $30 million (and roughly 4 fWAR) would be an aberration, but it would solidify them as one of MLB's best teams on paper.
November 17, 2025 at 6:21 PM
The Mariners projections are already in line with their Opening Day projections from the last 3-4 years. They are good enough to win the AL West or miss the playoffs.
Another $30 million (and roughly 4 fWAR) would be an aberration, but it would solidify them as one of MLB's best teams on paper.
Another $30 million (and roughly 4 fWAR) would be an aberration, but it would solidify them as one of MLB's best teams on paper.
Dipoto's latest comments suggest 2026 payroll will return to 2025 levels, which hit about $184M in Sept.
Payroll dropped to $124M at the beginning of the offseason. After Naylor (and a few minor moves) it's now up to about $154M, according to the payroll sheet from @goose1701.com
Payroll dropped to $124M at the beginning of the offseason. After Naylor (and a few minor moves) it's now up to about $154M, according to the payroll sheet from @goose1701.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Dipoto's latest comments suggest 2026 payroll will return to 2025 levels, which hit about $184M in Sept.
Payroll dropped to $124M at the beginning of the offseason. After Naylor (and a few minor moves) it's now up to about $154M, according to the payroll sheet from @goose1701.com
Payroll dropped to $124M at the beginning of the offseason. After Naylor (and a few minor moves) it's now up to about $154M, according to the payroll sheet from @goose1701.com
A rough snapshot of the Mariners' depth chart.
Mariners batters rank third by projected fWAR; pitchers rank 11th.
It's already one of the best top of rosters in MLB. The task this offseason, before Naylor and now after, is filling out the rest.
Mariners batters rank third by projected fWAR; pitchers rank 11th.
It's already one of the best top of rosters in MLB. The task this offseason, before Naylor and now after, is filling out the rest.
November 17, 2025 at 6:10 PM
A rough snapshot of the Mariners' depth chart.
Mariners batters rank third by projected fWAR; pitchers rank 11th.
It's already one of the best top of rosters in MLB. The task this offseason, before Naylor and now after, is filling out the rest.
Mariners batters rank third by projected fWAR; pitchers rank 11th.
It's already one of the best top of rosters in MLB. The task this offseason, before Naylor and now after, is filling out the rest.
The Mariners, by a decimal, are now the second best projected team in MLB by Steamer. They began the offseason just below the Blue Jays and leapt to second with the signing of Naylor.
Steamer projects 140 fWAR still in FA -- lots will change.
Steamer projects 140 fWAR still in FA -- lots will change.
November 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
The Mariners, by a decimal, are now the second best projected team in MLB by Steamer. They began the offseason just below the Blue Jays and leapt to second with the signing of Naylor.
Steamer projects 140 fWAR still in FA -- lots will change.
Steamer projects 140 fWAR still in FA -- lots will change.
OK let's try something new
Hitting + Base running + Fielding (no adjustments)
On a rate basis for most player-seasons this century
Distributions split by position
Hitting + Base running + Fielding (no adjustments)
On a rate basis for most player-seasons this century
Distributions split by position
November 14, 2025 at 9:17 PM
OK let's try something new
Hitting + Base running + Fielding (no adjustments)
On a rate basis for most player-seasons this century
Distributions split by position
Hitting + Base running + Fielding (no adjustments)
On a rate basis for most player-seasons this century
Distributions split by position