AP Photo

Yep, the one pitcher that Mariners fans seemed to hate the most two seasons ago - well hate equally as much as Horacio Ramirez - is still pitching.

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Jeff Weaver to a minor league deal on Monday. Weaver will get an invite to spring training and compete for a spot in the bullpen.

Weaver didn't pitch in the major leagues last season, splitting time between two different Triple A teams - Buffalo and Nashville.

The last time Weaver pitched in the big leagues was for the Mariners, and well, I won't go there. But the last time he had consistent success it was in 2006 with the Cardinals. So perhaps a return trip to the National League may help him. While it may seem ludicrous to Mariners fans to sign him, it's a low-risk move for the Dodgers.

Photo from nikkansports.com

The USS Mariner was the first to post this news locally, so all credit goes to them, but the Mariners star right fielder Ichiro Suzuki threw a bullpen session during WBC workouts with the Japanese team. Apparently he topped out at 91 miles per hour and can throw a forkball. The original post came from nikkansports.com and since I can't read Japanese (despite having a Japanese mother), I have no idea what the story says.

Here's some more photos from the session.

I e-mailed a couple of the Japanese reporters, who follow the Mariners during season, and Masayoshi Niwa, wrote back saying it was more of a "just in case" situation where Ichiro would be the last option for the manager. Masa also reminded me that Ichiro was a pitcher in his younger days.

From his wikipedia entry ...

Nagoya's Aikodai Meiden Kôkô, where Ichiro was primarily used as pitcher instead of an outfielder, owing to his exceptionally strong arm.

During a Japanese all-star game, Ichiro was brought into a game to pitch against Hideki Matsui, but the opposing manager put in somebody else instead. Here's a video of it.

Ichiro always maintained that he could be a pitcher, he wanted the chance to pitch last season when the Mariners put Jamie Burke on the mound last season.

"Every time I see a catcher's glove I want to pitch," Ichiro said a few days after Burke pitched in the Mariners 2-1 extra inning loss.

Perhaps he will being closing games for the Japanese team.

If only we could check out the blood pressure readings of Jack Zduriencik and other Mariners execs upon hearing this news or seeing this picture.

It's just another indicator of the ridiculous amount of talent Ichiro has. While I think it's pretty cool that he can do that, if I was a Mariners' executive or fan, I don't know that having him pitching is the best idea.

But it does remind me of this ...

Obviously this on the front page of our sports section, which you can check out here.

Alex Rodriguez admitted to ESPN's Peter Gammons (there's video of the interview on the link) that he did indeed take steroids in the year in question.

In the interview, he still manages to deflect some of the responsibility, saying it was part of the culture at that time. He also said he didn't know exactly what he was taking, which is total, well, I can't write what it is. But if you're telling me that someone like A-Rod who is borderline obsessive compulsive about his body and appearance would just inject a random substance into himself without knowing exactly what it will do is ridiculous.

The clock begins ticking today.

New manager Don Wakamatsu and the all-new coaching staff of the Seattle Mariners fly into Arizona today from all points on the compass, and while spring training doesn’t officially begin until their first workout on Saturday, it’s already begun.

“I’ve been pondering this for the last couple of months,” Wakamatsu said. “Everybody comes to camp with an emphasis on fundamentals. For us, there are a few other things to focus on – can we get this team to become one?”

New GM Jack Zduriencik is already in Peoria, and he’s done much toward revamping the roster of a club that lost 101 games in 2008. He’s also rebuilt the franchise front office.

By and large, fans have withheld judgment on all that. Sure, there had to be a new GM, a new manager, a new front office, a new coaching staff. And yes, players had to go – even popular players like J.J. Putz.

Now, most Mariners fans couldn’t name the 25-man roster.

Wakamatsu and his staff today will start spring training in earnest, and before pitchers and catchers report on Friday, there will be an overview in place.

“We’ll formulate a plan for the first week and the sixth,” Wakamatsu said. “One thing we won’t do is limit our coaching to guys who’ll make the club. We want everyone to be on the same page, philosophically and technically.

“One of our biggest jobs as a staff is to get these guys to realize we’re there to help them all develop. One of best ways to develop somebody, is to take them in and tell them all the things they’re accountable for.”

This will be no small effort, turning a franchise around. For months, though, the new GM and his manager have spent few hours in the day not thinking about the next six weeks.

The clock begins ticking today.

It's late Sunday night and I'm still trying to process the appearance of Neil Diamond on the Grammy's and wondering if the show actually carries any weight or relevance anymore.

But while I was watching three-plus hours worth of strange duets and odd combinations of singers (Jonas Brothers and Stevie Wonder?), I also perused about four days worth of baseball news on the internet to get some links up for you.

Obviously, the news about Alex Rodriguez and steroids dominated most of the coverage and with good reason. I've read a few comments in Larry's first post not wanting to hear about this. You have good reasons, but I'm still going to post some links about him - for the moment - for four reasons:

1. He was a former top pick of the Mariners and a celebrated player during his playing days here.

2. Since he left to sign a free agent contract, he's become persona non grata with the bulk of M's fans. And anybody who's heard the booing he's received at Safeco, even last year, will understand.

3. Despite what you think of him - and my opinion is not positive - A-Rod is one of the most visible players in baseball and is on pace to shatter many offensive records in the game.

4. Besides Mariners-related and American League West-related links, I think it's important to offer some other news around baseball to keep everybody informed and offer different perspectives.

But in fairness to those who aren't interested, it's not something to dwell on and I am going to post the A-Rod links at the bottom.

So lets get to the links ...

The P-I reported a few days ago that Scott Boras is pushing the Mariners to take a look at Angels outfielder Garret Anderson.

AP Photo

Um, there's a reason why the Angels aren't hurrying to re-sign the their all-time leader in games played, at-bats, hits, singles, doubles, extra base hits, RBIs, grand slams, total bases and a few other records. He isn't anywhere near the same player that set those records. The Angels are going with younger, cheaper and probably more efficient outfielder in Juan Rivera. Manager Mike Sciscioa told Anderson he might have the a role on the Angels as a utility outfielder. But he wants to play in 145 games this season. It just doesn't seem like a move consistent with what the front office has been doing, unless they know something we don't.

Kirby Arnold of the Everett Herald has this story about how the area around the Peoria Sports Complex has grown and a spring training guide.

We don't usually link to the P-I or Times but since we did already, here's Larry Stone's story on the anniversary of the trade for Erik Bedard, all I can say about it is, "Happy Anniversary." For some, it's kind of like the anniversary of their wisdom teeth extraction.

Recently acquired lefty Garrett Olson talked to the San Luis Obispo Tribune about the trade after pitching a scoreless inning in the Cal Poly-SLO alumni game.

Let's go around baseball ...
George Sherrill avoided arbitration with the Orioles signing a nice one-year deal. Not bad for a guy that used to pitch for the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

One-time Mariner Rich Aurilia (something many fans would like to forget) re-signed with SF Giants as a right-handed option at first base. Aurilia will give the Giants a right-handed bat opposite the two lefties vying for the job - John Bowker and Federal Way standout and former TNT all-area player of the year Travis Ishikawa (pictured right).

Here's some notes from Randy Johnson's first meeting with Bay Area press.

Chico Harlan of the Washington Post has this story about Stephen Strasburg, who the Nats are expected to take with the top pick of this year's draft. M's fans need to get used to the idea that he's out of reach. It may save on pain.

The Philly Inquirer has this big feature story that looks deeper into Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and his life.

The Rangers have signed Andruw Jones to a minor league contract. The hope is that Jones can be something more than the bust he's been the last few seasons and allow the Rangers to move Josh Hamilton to right field to reduce wear and tear on him.

Manny Ramirez talked to LA Times reporter Dylan Fernandez about the on-going negotiations with the Dodgers and his thoughts about free agency.

Times columnist Bill Plaschke offers his thoughts on the situation.

Here's some Sunday columns from national baseball writers ...
People forget that Mike Hampton was once in the Mariners organization. Anyway the oft-injured lefty is the key for the Houston Astros' success, according to Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle.

Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain news doesn't think the Rays can repeat last year's success.

Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo has his Sunday notes

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune has his Sunday column.

WARNING: A-Rod links start here ...

Here's the always entertaining NY tabloids covers ...

If you read just one of these links, read this column by Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post in which he notes that now only Ken Griffey Jr. should be remembered as the greatest slugger of this era, because there was never a question about him using PEDs.

Well you should also read our own John McGrath's take on the news.

AP Photo

The Dallas Morning News' Kevin Sherrington adds A-Rod to the list of players on the 2003 Rangers team now linked to PEDs. The list includes Rafael Palmeiro, Pudge Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez and more.

Here's the story from the NY Times' Tyler Kepner where it leads with A-Rod's obsessive desire to succeed.

Also from the Times, the news of A-Rod brings up more questions about testing procedures. and a column by Jack Curry on the merits of apologizing.

Of course, players and former players all have reactions to the situation. Of course, Curt Schilling, who always seems to have an opinion to share, offered his, saying he wants to see the 103 names on the list of players that failed tests.

Teammates of Rodriguez on that Rangers team offer their thoughts.

Former Mariners pitcher and teammate of A-Rod, Jeff Nelson, who recently signed on with MLB Network offers some thoughts - mainly for A-Rod to keep quiet.

Newsday's Ken Davidoff said A-Rod's rights have been violated.

Sports Illustrated's legal expert Michael McCann offers some thoughts.

Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan believes A-Rod should learn from how Barry Bonds has handled the situation and not make the same mistakes. Someone who knows about Bonds is the SF Chronicle's Ray Ratto, who offers his thoughts.

Finally, here's some the clips of him denying steroids usage on 60 minutes.