PEORIA, Ariz. -- Marco Gonzales has become known as a leader, a mentor, and a bit of a life coach for the rebuilding Mariners. But let's not get lost discussing all the 29-year old's sterling intangibles, the guy can pitch, and he's coming off the best season of his career. Thursday, I sat down with Gonzales to discuss his upside as a pitcher, the strain Kevin Mather placed on their clubhouse and how Marco and his teammates are celebrating how "very boring" he is...
Justus Sheffield experienced a breakthrough season last year. In eight of his final nine starts, he allowed two runs or fewer, going 4-1 over that span (for those few who still put in stock in win-loss records). Bolstered by a wipeout slider and increased confidence, the 24-year old lefthander looks to build onto his 2020 success. On Chuck & Buck, we discussed with Sheffield how best to cope with a rotten Spring Training outing, how often he intends to throw his best pitch this year and what it's like to now be teammates with the guy (James Paxton) the Mariners traded to get him...
Tom Murphy didn't report to camp. The Mariners had to journey deep into the woods to find him and tell him that it's time to play ball. The Seattle backstop missed the entire 2020 season with a lingering foot injury and massive case of frustration. He's finally playing every day as a major leaguer and doesn't want to miss his long-awaited window of opportunity to flourish. On Chuck & Buck, we chatted with Murphy about his Whitewalker blue eyes, his preference to be one with nature and the secrets behind building relationships with each of his pitchers and their wide variety of personalities...
Photo Credit: OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Marco Gonzales #7 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the first inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 27, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)