Mariners notebook: White/gold or blue/black edition

Yes, there was dress talk and other interesting conversation in the Mariners' clubhouse Friday morning. Plus, pitching notes.

BY SHANNON DRAYER

Feb 27, 2015, 9:20 AM Updated: 11:06 am

Follow on Google News

Even the Mariners clubhouse is trying to figure out which colors this dress really is. (AP)

(AP)

PEORIA, Ariz. – We had some good clubhouse fun this morning. It was blood-work day so maybe guys were a little loopy due to not being able to eat after midnight and then giving blood, which is part of their regular spring physicals. But the clubhouse was a little livelier this morning.

Of course, and unfortunately, there was talk about the white/gold or blue/black dress with Brad Miller showing teammates the picture on his phone and taking the unofficial clubhouse poll.

Mike Zunino was adamant it was blue and black.

“It is clearly white and gold. I don’t think I can trust him anymore,” Miller said, shaking his head.

The debate raged on with Miller and a group of pitchers and catchers throwing out a number of thoughts on the matter, all entertaining.

“What do the lefties see?”

“What do the righties see?”

“What does Rodney see?”

“I see the whole thing purple.”

“Dude, my eyesight is perfect!”

“What people would we see if a woman walked into the clubhouse wearing the dress?”

“We have to get our hands on one of those dresses!”

Dominic Leone saw it in blue and black but doubt has crept into his mind.

“I don’t know what’s right and wrong anymore,” he said. “I am completely lost.”

Someone pointed out that it was a good thing this happened now and not during the season. The last thing they want running through their minds when they take the hill or step into the box is, “Is it blue and black or white and gold?”

I suppose it could make for a good mound discussion but there is probably are rule against it now with pace-of-play concerns.

Shortly after the debate wound down, a familiar face showed up in the clubhouse. Brandon Maurer, wearing a Padres sweatshirt, stopped by to say hi to his former teammates.

“I took a right turn when I should have gone left,” he said with a laugh. It is not the first time a Padre made his way across the parking lot to say hello, but it’s always nice to see a former player comfortable enough to come into the clubhouse.

Other different faces in the clubhouse were the crew from ESPN. Tim Kurkjian, Jerry Crasnick and Aaron Boone are here to cover the Mariners camp today. A number of interviews were done and live shots were taken from the field. Always nice to have a little spotlight.

“A lot of factors” with fifth starter

Lloyd McClendon went a little Marshawn Lynch on us this morning as he answered a number of questions – and to be clear, it was lighthearted – with: “That’s a question for the general manager.” Questions about the fifth starter and what would happen with Erasmo Ramirez started the exchange and a number of topics that followed also got the GM answer. McClendon did talk a little bit about what goes into making the decision on who makes the rotation.

“There are a lot of factors to weigh,” he said. “There are a lot of dynamics that go into trying to pick a rotation that complements each other. It’s not going to be an easy process, at least I hope it’s not easy. It’s a very tough process with a lot of talented young men competing. It won’t be solely based on what you do in the spring.”

One player who doesn’t have to worry about a spot is Hisashi Iwakuma. He will throw a bullpen session today instead of a live batting-practice session. McClendon said this is normal for him and that with the way he works, bullpens are more important than live BPs.

Lighter side with Leone

Every now and then you learn a little something in the clubhouse. I asked Leone if he learned any new pitches off of YouTube, which is how he learned his cutter, and he said no.

“I stayed off the YouTube learning channels this winter,” he said.

That’s not to say there wasn’t learning, however.

“I studied life hacks,” he said, referencing the popular shortcuts that are often shared on Facebook. “Anything that can make my life at home easier.”

He hadn’t tried the make a brownie in a cup in the microwave – which is quite good, by the way, especially with ice cream – but he has tried one of the kitchen hacks.

“I did do the hard-boiled eggs in the muffin pan in the oven,” he said. “That works great. Also, I learned that tinfoil has to be the most useful thing ever.”

“Alum foil is an all-star,” Danny Farquhar interjected as he passed by.

“For sure,” Leone said. “You throw it in the dryer, it helps dry clothes faster. It’s insane! If I get stranded on a deserted island, I am taking aluminum foil.”

I am going to have to guess it is in the bullpen’s rookie backpack as well.

Note

• McClendon is looking for a second lefty but not a lefty specialist. He said this morning that a guy who could go a couple of innings would be ideal for that role.

That’s all for now. Off to watch Iwakuma throw a bullpen and J.A. Happ throw his first live batting practice.