PEORIA
Ken Boyer Jersey , Ariz. (AP) — Every day for several years, Felix Hernandez has walked past large photos of himself and Randy Johnson — the Seattle Mariners‘ only Cy Young Award winners — in the hallway leading to the clubhouse of their spring training complex.King Felix will make those walks for perhaps the last time this year, with a bigger goal as motivation.“I know this is my final year, but I don’t think I am done,” the 33-year-old Hernandez said on Tuesday following Seattle’s first spring training workout. “I think I can do a lot of good things, and it is going to be a push for my Hall of Fame career. It means a lot. Now Edgar (Martinez) is in the Hall of Fame. We’ll see.”Hernandez, who has 168 victories and a career 3.34 ERA, is trying to reverse recent trends entering the final season of a seven-year contract that calls for a $27 million salary.His fastball average velocity dropped to a career-low 90.4 mph last season as calculated by Fangraphs, and his ERA was a career-high 5.55 in 29 outings. He briefly was moved to the bullpen for his lone career relief appearance, a move that did not sit well.But as spring training begins, Hernandez has a spot in the starting rotation, even if it is not as his customary No. 1.“I don’t care what happened last season,” he said. “This is a new year. I came here ready to go. Let’s see what is going to happen.”Yusei Kikuchi, Mike Leake and Marco Gonzales are the top three in the Mariners rotation, and left-hander Wade LeBlanc pitched well last season. Top prospect Justus Sheffield was acquired from the Yankees in the James Paxton deal, although he is likely to start the season in the minors.Hernandez will look to recover from a second half in which he was 0-7 with a 6.44 ERA in his last 10 appearances. His percentage of swinging strikes was at a career low, and opponents’ contact on pitches in the strike zone was a career high.“He’s struggled the last few years. We’ll see what it brings,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “Felix is a competitor. He is a very proud player, like many veteran players are. He wants to get back to doing his thing. We are going to let him.”With a lower velocity has come adjustments. Hernandez began the subtle changes last season
http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-marcell-ozuna-jersey , when threw 27.9 percent curveballs, the highest percentage of curves in his career. The rate was double than it was when he was blowing hitters away with 96-98 mph velocity.“You have to keep adjusting until you are on the top, and certainly Felix has been on top before,” Servais said. “But the game does evolve and change, and you have to be open to it, open to the information, open to game-planning, open to maybe adjusting your repertoire a little bit.”Hernandez has relied on a sinking fastball, and the noticeably higher strike zone in recent seasons could have played into Hernandez’s lack of success, new pitching coach Paul Davis said.“He’s always been more of a sinker guy, and so with the high strike zone, it doesn’t really play to what his strength was and what he was able to use,” Davis said. “And with diminished velocity, it just makes it a little more difficult. It doesn’t mean you can’t be successful.”Hernandez did not get into specifics on any changes he might make, saying, “I just want to do everything to make this ball club better.”Hernandez is one of a few veteran players back from a year ago when Seattle won 89 games. All-Stars Robinson Cano, Jean Segura, Edwin Diaz and Paxton were traded, as was catcher Mike Zunino. Nelson Cruz left as a free agent.“That was a crazy offseason
Whitey Herzog Jersey ,” Hernandez said.It has been called a step-back season for the Mariners, but Hernandez remains upbeat as he enters his 13th season.“I know it is going to be tough, but there is a lot of talent in that clubhouse,” he said. SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Brandon Hyde’s style is totally different from his Baltimore Orioles‘ predecessor.Under Buck Showalter, who had managed the Orioles for more than eight seasons until his dismissal at the end of last year, it was all business during spring training. There are more light moments under Hyde, though he says is focused on teaching and preparing for the season.When players began workouts they heard music blaring on the practice fields. Even beards, which had been long prohibited, are now welcomed.Hyde has run spring training in both the minor and major leagues, most recently with the Chicago Cubs, and he doesn’t want preparation to equal drudgery.“When you’ve been a minor league coach, and you’ve been on Field 76 in the back, and it’s 97 degrees out, and there’s no music, I know what that feels like,” Hyde said.Hyde’s methods have been welcomed by veteran players.“I like what we’re trying to accomplish this year as far as the environment we’re trying to set and the type of play, the way we’re approaching the games,” first baseman Chris Davis said. “We’re aggressive
http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-marcell-ozuna-jersey , we’re going to make teams adjust to us instead of the other way around. I like what I’ve seen so far.”Alex Cobb, the right-handed pitcher who signed late in spring training last year, said the new staff has created a positive atmosphere among players.“They know how to create a relationship that’s going to last throughout a full season,” Cobb said. “They want to play for their skipper. They want to play for their pitching coach because they don’t want to disappoint them.“They feel like they’re going into competition together and they feel like they’re creating a really nice foundation for the new direction of the organization.”Hyde was Joe Maddon’s bench coach with the Cubs last year, and Maddon is known for team-building exercises, and while Hyde hasn’t had his players dress in pajamas or hockey jerseys, he’s made things looser.“I want guys to play free and easy,” Hyde said. “I want guys to showcase their talent. They’re in big league camp, so prove to everybody that you’re a big league player and not feel restricted in any way.”The 45-year-old Hyde was hired by Baltimore’s new general manager, 36-year-old Mike Elias.“I think his personality is great for the managerial role,” Elias said. “It’s great for what we’re embarking on here with the Orioles. I felt a ton of connection with him with him in terms of being able to communicate with him very easily and openly.”Spring training is halfway over, and while Baltimore faces a difficult task in beginning a rebuild after suffering a franchise-record 115 losses last season, Hyde is having a great time.“I’m really enjoying it,” Hyde said. “I’m absolutely loving it. I can’t wait to get to the ballpark every day. I love watching our guys play.”NOTES: Davis was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup with a strained left hip flexor. . OF/DH Mark Trumbo has yet to play after right knee surgery last September, and while he hoped to return on March 12, he says that could be optimistic. “We’re trying to work towards that,” Trumbo said. “I’m not sure if we’re going to make it or not.”
PEORIA Ken Boyer Jersey , Ariz. (AP) — Every day for several years, Felix Hernandez has walked past large photos of himself and Randy Johnson — the Seattle Mariners‘ only Cy Young Award winners — in the hallway leading to the clubhouse of their spring training complex.King Felix will make those walks for perhaps the last time this year, with a bigger goal as motivation.“I know this is my final year, but I don’t think I am done,” the 33-year-old Hernandez said on Tuesday following Seattle’s first spring training workout. “I think I can do a lot of good things, and it is going to be a push for my Hall of Fame career. It means a lot. Now Edgar (Martinez) is in the Hall of Fame. We’ll see.”Hernandez, who has 168 victories and a career 3.34 ERA, is trying to reverse recent trends entering the final season of a seven-year contract that calls for a $27 million salary.His fastball average velocity dropped to a career-low 90.4 mph last season as calculated by Fangraphs, and his ERA was a career-high 5.55 in 29 outings. He briefly was moved to the bullpen for his lone career relief appearance, a move that did not sit well.But as spring training begins, Hernandez has a spot in the starting rotation, even if it is not as his customary No. 1.“I don’t care what happened last season,” he said. “This is a new year. I came here ready to go. Let’s see what is going to happen.”Yusei Kikuchi, Mike Leake and Marco Gonzales are the top three in the Mariners rotation, and left-hander Wade LeBlanc pitched well last season. Top prospect Justus Sheffield was acquired from the Yankees in the James Paxton deal, although he is likely to start the season in the minors.Hernandez will look to recover from a second half in which he was 0-7 with a 6.44 ERA in his last 10 appearances. His percentage of swinging strikes was at a career low, and opponents’ contact on pitches in the strike zone was a career high.“He’s struggled the last few years. We’ll see what it brings,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “Felix is a competitor. He is a very proud player, like many veteran players are. He wants to get back to doing his thing. We are going to let him.”With a lower velocity has come adjustments. Hernandez began the subtle changes last season http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-marcell-ozuna-jersey , when threw 27.9 percent curveballs, the highest percentage of curves in his career. The rate was double than it was when he was blowing hitters away with 96-98 mph velocity.“You have to keep adjusting until you are on the top, and certainly Felix has been on top before,” Servais said. “But the game does evolve and change, and you have to be open to it, open to the information, open to game-planning, open to maybe adjusting your repertoire a little bit.”Hernandez has relied on a sinking fastball, and the noticeably higher strike zone in recent seasons could have played into Hernandez’s lack of success, new pitching coach Paul Davis said.“He’s always been more of a sinker guy, and so with the high strike zone, it doesn’t really play to what his strength was and what he was able to use,” Davis said. “And with diminished velocity, it just makes it a little more difficult. It doesn’t mean you can’t be successful.”Hernandez did not get into specifics on any changes he might make, saying, “I just want to do everything to make this ball club better.”Hernandez is one of a few veteran players back from a year ago when Seattle won 89 games. All-Stars Robinson Cano, Jean Segura, Edwin Diaz and Paxton were traded, as was catcher Mike Zunino. Nelson Cruz left as a free agent.“That was a crazy offseason Whitey Herzog Jersey ,” Hernandez said.It has been called a step-back season for the Mariners, but Hernandez remains upbeat as he enters his 13th season.“I know it is going to be tough, but there is a lot of talent in that clubhouse,” he said. SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Brandon Hyde’s style is totally different from his Baltimore Orioles‘ predecessor.Under Buck Showalter, who had managed the Orioles for more than eight seasons until his dismissal at the end of last year, it was all business during spring training. There are more light moments under Hyde, though he says is focused on teaching and preparing for the season.When players began workouts they heard music blaring on the practice fields. Even beards, which had been long prohibited, are now welcomed.Hyde has run spring training in both the minor and major leagues, most recently with the Chicago Cubs, and he doesn’t want preparation to equal drudgery.“When you’ve been a minor league coach, and you’ve been on Field 76 in the back, and it’s 97 degrees out, and there’s no music, I know what that feels like,” Hyde said.Hyde’s methods have been welcomed by veteran players.“I like what we’re trying to accomplish this year as far as the environment we’re trying to set and the type of play, the way we’re approaching the games,” first baseman Chris Davis said. “We’re aggressive http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-marcell-ozuna-jersey , we’re going to make teams adjust to us instead of the other way around. I like what I’ve seen so far.”Alex Cobb, the right-handed pitcher who signed late in spring training last year, said the new staff has created a positive atmosphere among players.“They know how to create a relationship that’s going to last throughout a full season,” Cobb said. “They want to play for their skipper. They want to play for their pitching coach because they don’t want to disappoint them.“They feel like they’re going into competition together and they feel like they’re creating a really nice foundation for the new direction of the organization.”Hyde was Joe Maddon’s bench coach with the Cubs last year, and Maddon is known for team-building exercises, and while Hyde hasn’t had his players dress in pajamas or hockey jerseys, he’s made things looser.“I want guys to play free and easy,” Hyde said. “I want guys to showcase their talent. They’re in big league camp, so prove to everybody that you’re a big league player and not feel restricted in any way.”The 45-year-old Hyde was hired by Baltimore’s new general manager, 36-year-old Mike Elias.“I think his personality is great for the managerial role,” Elias said. “It’s great for what we’re embarking on here with the Orioles. I felt a ton of connection with him with him in terms of being able to communicate with him very easily and openly.”Spring training is halfway over, and while Baltimore faces a difficult task in beginning a rebuild after suffering a franchise-record 115 losses last season, Hyde is having a great time.“I’m really enjoying it,” Hyde said. “I’m absolutely loving it. I can’t wait to get to the ballpark every day. I love watching our guys play.”NOTES: Davis was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup with a strained left hip flexor. . OF/DH Mark Trumbo has yet to play after right knee surgery last September, and while he hoped to return on March 12, he says that could be optimistic. “We’re trying to work towards that,” Trumbo said. “I’m not sure if we’re going to make it or not.”