Good morning everyone and happy Valentines Day! A quick reminder that if you’re in the Seattle area, Kate is hosting a Heated Rivalry watch party/trivia night today at Kate’s Pub in Wallingford (now known as The Rebel) at 5pm. If you don’t have any plans today, go join some friends to enjoy drinks and good times!
Now, onto the baseball news.
In Mariners news…
- Bryan Woo revealed that he was offered a spot on the Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic but turned it down so he can prepare for the 2026 season, with a goal of surpassing 200 innings pitched this year. Only three pitchers reached that mark in 2025.
Around the league…
- Right-handed starter Zac Gallen is returning to the Diamondbacks on a one-year, $22.05M deal, which is the exact value of the qualifying offer that Gallen declined earlier this offseason.
- Righty pitcher Shelby Miller signed a two-year, $2.5M contract with the Cubs.
- Longtime Mariners opp Luis Rengifo signed a minor league deal with the Brewers.
- The Astros pulled a classic Jerry Dipoto, re-acquiring outfielder Joey Loperfido from the Blue Jays for outfielder Jesús Sánchez.
- Rangers right-hander Nabil Crismatt will undergo UCL surgery, which is expected to cost him the entirety of the 2026 season.
- Rockies outfielder Zac Veen opened up about his recent experience with substance abuse and how he got back on his feet.
- Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia broke his silence four months after the death of his newborn daughter (which happened during the team’s World Series run), saying he is thankful for the outpouring of support he and his wife have recieved.
- Even with the ABS being implemented in MLB games this year, Braves left-hander Chris Sale says he will “never” challenge a pitch call.
- Ben Clemens at Fangraphs recapped the total overhaul of the Red Sox roster this winter.
- Colin Evans at The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on MLB’s RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) initiative, talking about how the program is not currently supporting those who need it most in Philadelphia.
Anders’ picks…
- In a heartbreaking Winter Olympics result, superstar male figure skater Ilia Malinin — who has spent the last four years transforming the sport and had not lost an individual competition since 2023 — collapsed under the pressure during yesterday’s free skate performance and ultimately placed 8th.