Mariners notebook: “The Hot Stove” podcast and a new catcher

After three editions of “The Hot Stove” in eight days, we are taking a six-day break. If you missed the show last night, fear not, we have a podcast.

It was great to have Dave Valle along with Rick Rizzs in studio for the two-hour show. Valle brings unique insight having played the game, managed the game and also having a good handle on the national perspective of the game and of the Mariners from working at the MLB Network.

Chris Gwynn kicked off the first hour and gave us the update on a number of Mariners prospects. As we have seen several young relievers traded for big-leaguers in the last two years, I asked how the Mariners were able to develop them and if there was still depth after losing Brandon Maurer and Matt Brazis. He gave a couple of interesting names we could see at the big-league level in the near future.

Taijuan Walker was up next and he informed us that he has already thrown a couple of bullpen sessions. Walker is hoping to pick up where he left off after his September start in Toronto, and to that end, he has been working quite a bit on his changeup.

Rebecca Hale, the Mariners’ director of public information, dropped by for a few minutes and gave us the details on the new LED lights at Safeco Field. If you were at FanFest you probably saw them in action, if not, you should be able to notice the difference both in person and on TV once the season starts.

Angels broadcaster Mark Langston kicked off the second hour and gave his thoughts on the Angels and did a bit of reminiscing with Rizzs and Valle about his days with the Mariners. Ryan Divish from The Seattle Times closed out the show and gave us a look at what it was like for a baseball reporter to cover a Super Bowl and, of course, his thoughts on the 2015 Mariners.

The next edition of “The Hot Stove” will be Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 7-9 p.m. on 710 ESPN Seattle.

Notes

• The Mariners have added a veteran catcher. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that John Baker, who spent last year with the Cubs, has agreed to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. Baker himself Tweeted the news this morning.

Thanks for all the positive vibes being sent my way. Next Chapter begins. @Mariners pic.twitter.com/HBYsaA0aQ3

— John Baker (@manbearwolf) January 28, 2015

Of note: Baker’s Twitter profile reads, “don’t listen to me, I have no idea what I’m talking about. Employed…pending physical”

Love it.

• Do you like projections? PECOTA has the Mariners finishing 87-75, second to Anaheim at 91-71 in the division, fifth in baseball and as the first wild card.

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