Episode 87: Dominic Canzone, And Where Do The Mariners Go From Here

[00:00:00] Welcome to Episode number 87 of the Marine Layer Podcast. We welcome on Mariners Outfielder, Dom Canzone for a discussion.

[00:00:07] We also wrap up our thoughts on the Mitch Garver signing over Christmas. Anything we might have missed there and what's next for the Mariners and who could be out there for the budget they have left.

[00:00:20] Your reminder before we start the show, if you're listening to the podcast, make sure to follow us, download our episodes, leave us that five star review wherever you get your audio pods.

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[00:00:40] Let's get it rolling. And we welcome you to this episode of the Marine Layer Podcast, part of the Just Baseball Podcast Network recording here on Tuesday, December 26th, right around noontime.

[00:01:04] Lyle, we did take some time to record around the holidays, but now that it is post holiday, how are we feeling? Relaxed. I was starting to feel that sense of relief when we got the pass and bomb on Christmas Eve. And now there's just a sense of relaxation.

[00:01:21] I'm not saying I'm happy with the Mariners Outseason as a whole. They still need to do more. They still need to go add, but to just have Garver into the fold to see them make a signing, to see them improve the offense.

[00:01:31] This is a good sign. And I'm feeling good about it.

[00:01:34] I was a little disappointed though in some of the other response. I think we were trying to gauge an early response when we recorded our emergency episode on Christmas Eve about that it didn't seem like it was a consensus like from a lot of Mariners fans and man,

[00:01:49] I'm going to say like that rings true as ever 48 hours later. I don't, I think there is a lot of skepticism in this trade and there's a lot of to go back to a point we made it in the Christmas Eve episode, which is like you guys can't just keep saying if he's healthy.

[00:02:05] You guys can't keep saying that because that's such a hypothetical. And that I mean that's not how you should think you should have, you should be signing a player who's not that you don't have to say if he's healthy.

[00:02:15] Well, I hate to break it to you guys, but we assume every player's production on the roster if they're healthy or not like that's it. Julio if he's healthy is an American League MVP candidate.

[00:02:27] You know what happened in his rookie season? He wasn't an MVP candidate because he was hurt for 30 games. Like that's the point guys.

[00:02:37] Also, I understand Garver has flaws. We understand Garver has flaws. There's a reason he's costing 12 million a year not 30. But let's also give yourself a little bit of a reminder here teach there are people on if you're gauging responses off social media.

[00:02:51] There are people in our comments that said, I don't want Shohei Otani. So of course there's people that say I don't want Mitch Garver.

[00:02:58] And this signing that it has now come to come to light. I mean we envision this when we again recorded that emergency episode but now ringing true more than ever after it's been reported by multiple beat writers talked about on MLB Network etc.

[00:03:14] That Garver the plan for Garver is to DH like that is going to be his role and it is going to be out of almost out of necessity to try and keep him healthy.

[00:03:25] The Ryan Davis I think reported that they're only going to catch him if it's an emergency there's not going to be this scenario where okay Garver is going to be the lefty masher of the catchers and he's going to be behind behind the plate every time there's a lefty on the bump.

[00:03:39] No, no that's not that's not going to be the case Garver is not going to be behind the plate whenever there's a lefty on the bump. I would again I would be pretty shocked at this point after seeing some of the response if Garver is behind the plate more than 15 times that even seems a little high.

[00:03:57] What we learned in the last couple days and what Divas just said on MLB Network today it confirmed for everybody. Sebi Zavala barring injury is going to be on the roster and Mitch Garver is not going to be catching a lot he's going to DH that's pretty set in stone which is okay because you know why Garver's missed a lot of time over his career.

[00:04:14] He does spend a lot of time behind the plate he's never been a full time DH he's been asked to catch if he really only DH is here in Seattle again this is on the idea that he stays healthy but you have to think if he's only going to DH his chances of playing close to a full season go way up.

[00:04:31] It would be kind of skeptical the Mariners if they ever planned on putting him behind the plate because it would be almost too much of a risk to spend $12 million on somebody I mean let me just list some of these injuries forearm surgery inner costal strain which is your ribs.

[00:04:49] He has knee groin and back problems like that's not someone you want back there for I don't know say he's the backup catcher he'd be back there for 50 games in a season do you want him to have 50 games worth of wear and tear on that body.

[00:05:02] No not really you want to get your money's worth with Mitch Garver so that's going to be the case he's going to be in the lineup I would imagine versus both lefties and righties however something we didn't really highlight and again we highlighted back on her offseason season wishlist of what Mitch Garver is.

[00:05:18] Mitch Garver did in 2023 he's a lefty masher he mashes lefties though I will say Lyle when we decided to to re highlight this point it's not that he doesn't hit righties like let me remind people here's here's the two opposites of Mitch Garver's 2023 season against lefties.

[00:05:39] He walked 6% more the time that he struck out and yet on base percentage of 500 against lefties that's pretty bonkers to start with right and you'd be like wow how how could you be better against righties at that point.

[00:05:51] Well he didn't actually hit a single home run against lefties all season long he hit all 19 of his home runs against righties so the power was against righties the on base pedigree was against lefties the WRC plus against lefties was 170 against righties it was 127.

[00:06:08] So pick your poison he's gonna be in the lineup against both.

[00:06:11] Isn't it kind of wild that he didn't hit a single home run against the southpaw this past year but he WRC plus 70% above league average that's pretty wild you don't usually see guys put up numbers like that without home runs.

[00:06:24] No you don't and it was kind of odd because yeah he still struck out a decent amount versus right handers so not seeing the ball quite as well. Meanwhile against lefties this strikeout rate was 14% like 14% that's pretty silly.

[00:06:38] I like that so he's contact against lefties his power against righties pick your like you just said it perfectly pick your poison Mitch Garber is going to bring some element of threat to the plate no matter who's on the mound lefty or righty.

[00:06:51] And again this still leaves the door open for Cal to hit versus both lefties and righties and this brought back up the point where people I think were kind of discounting Cal as a right handed hitter he's like a perfectly fine right handed hitter for a catcher.

[00:07:06] Like the bar for catchers hitting is not that high and I think Cal clears it on both sides of the plate I think we prefer him to hit lefty but if he needs to hit righty that's perfectly acceptable for Cal Raleigh and it doesn't mean the Mariners need to force Mitch Garber.

[00:07:20] Behind the plate just to be like oh he has a 170 WRC plus well you know what given how the Mariners roster is right now he can still DH versus righties and lefties no problem it's not like there's anyone going to take his job.

[00:07:33] We said there was two big things we wanted to rehash here on this show we wanted to talk about Mitch Garber success against lefties and his overall dominance at the plate when he's on the field which we did months ago and we highlighted him.

[00:07:45] But the second point we wanted to bring up which we did not bring up in our reaction show on Saturday is this is the Mariners most expensive position player signing in the Jerry DePoto era they did it they did it they actually have now one up in the past two years.

[00:08:02] AJ Pollock last year the one year for $7 million which was a new high was a new high last year and now they've blown it out of the water with a big bat two year $24 million extension for Mitch Garber that is the most money Jerry DePoto has ever paid a position player since he got to Seattle in free agency.

[00:08:23] Three times as much. Unreal. That is pretty unreal and you know it's only the fourth multi year deal they've ever given out under him the list is pretty sad do you think you could guess the other three.

[00:08:36] I was gonna say I think I can get this so this includes pitchers right yes it does and are we including in house extensions or just free agency just free agents. Okay so we've got Garver we've got Robbie yep we've got. Oh no.

[00:08:50] Yeah it took me a minute to think of these last night they are a little bit under the radar guys you don't expect would garner a multi year deal. Who did they get in 2017 do they bring any free agents around the time am I right around the time.

[00:09:06] No no later. Hmm how am I blanking on this so badly starting pitchers one was a big part of the show hey Ohtani rumors. Oh wait no I was gonna say D Gordon but that was a trade.

[00:09:23] Big part of the show hey rumors he might have rented out a restaurant. Oh OK Kukuchi there we go one more. Hmm is it around the same time period two years later.

[00:09:37] Yeah I was gonna say Kukuchi that is kind of a unique one because that was right in the middle of the rebuild yet they still signed them that was like the first real year of the rebuild. So 2021.

[00:09:47] Hitter pitcher pitcher man I'm struggling with this why am I struggling so badly with this. Do you want me to just tell you yeah go ahead give it to me Chris Flexon.

[00:09:57] Oh yeah yeah OK so I was gonna say those last two were not like snap of the finger I'm going to get it right away maybe I should have gotten Kukuchi but yeah flexing.

[00:10:07] Yeah I had to double check because it was for I'm like so was it flat yeah flexing out a two year deal and to think those are the only four ever in eight years. That they've signed to a multi year deal. It's pretty staggering to look at.

[00:10:21] That is staggering they do not spend a lot of money in free agency that's for sure and again this isn't including the trade for an extending lewis this isn't including Julio but yeah I mean what do they say right draft develop and trade like it or not that is how they operate

[00:10:38] and those four signings highlighted perfectly.

[00:10:41] Before we get to our conversation with Dom can zone Lyle let's take a look at what's coming up next in this Mariners offseason so the budget is sitting right now budget let's say the current payroll sorry the different terminology current payroll sits at about

[00:10:54] $128.5 million dollars they are 11.5 million dollars from where their 2023 payroll finished at $140 million dollars I'm going to guess it when Jerry says they're going to go over that mark let's stretch it to 145 in technical terms so they have about

[00:11:13] that point 17 ish million dollars to spend if my math checks out with that so with 17 million dollars left there's still some options in free agency and there's plenty of options that we have highlighted in trades.

[00:11:28] Let me read you off some names that are within the budget that are still out there and still available per Spotrack. Okay.

[00:11:36] Jack Peterson is projected to make $15 million dollars I honestly have been kind of buying into this a little bit more after taking a peek at his at his fan graph speech.

[00:11:45] Jack Peterson makes a lot of sense that would take up most of the budget but he brings you everything you would need Michael Brantley about $9 million dollars is his projected salary or hey so there I'm still going to put him on there for now because he's still free agent $13 million per season what Mara filled worth is worth about six Adam Duvall five at a rate of $13 million per season.

[00:12:05] So I'm looking at the Rosario six Robbie Grossman seven and then Reese Hoskins on the high end at $21 million which would come probably after a Thai France trade if they felt that was the route they wanted to go and then Tommy Pham would be worth about $5 million dollars.

[00:12:21] Any of those stick out. I like Jack Peterson not for 15 million bucks a year doesn't that feel a little high for a guy that's basically a platoon player and has not really strung together of good full season in a long while now.

[00:12:35] He's pretty good the last two seasons. Okay define define good. Good hitting season in last year he was at 147 WRC plus this year was like a 111 his strikeout rate was down as walk rate was back up.

[00:12:50] Definitely productive bad it would certainly make the Mariners better it'd be better than what they have in the outfield right now. What I'm trying to gauge is would you pay 15 million bucks a year for Jack Peterson.

[00:13:02] If it was the last move of the offseason probably not but again he does he would make him better like they would the lineup would get better flat out.

[00:13:13] They would probably the lineup would probably be as good as it was last year if they signed Jack Peterson right now.

[00:13:19] Oh it makes them better because signing Jack Peterson means one of those utility guys is not playing the outfield every day so of course it makes them better.

[00:13:26] I'm just trying to think about his 15 million bucks a year for him worth the bang for your buck like don't get me.

[00:13:31] There is a reason Jack Peterson is bounced around a little bit from time to time hasn't stuck in one place because people have decided that even though he has flashes and even though when he debuted years ago that he was a top prospect he hasn't really he hasn't lived up to that right like he's had flashes of it he's never lived up to it.

[00:13:49] That's yeah that's fair and the Mariners probably wouldn't sign him to enough years to make the AAV go down but I'm going to say well if that's what they signed Jack Peterson to a short deal that's the actual deal.

[00:14:01] I think they're going to have to give the average their pay because they wouldn't string it out like hey Jack we'll give you six years so the AAV can be like 11 or 12. I think I like the Adam Duvall idea a little bit better than I do Jack.

[00:14:13] I think Adam Duvall might want he's a right handed bat which they need to he's I mean yes they just signed Garber but this team still needs more right handed bats. I think Duvall's I like Duvall's power a little bit.

[00:14:25] I know he's had some injury problems too in his career but I also think for what he'd cost which will be less than 15 million bucks a year.

[00:14:31] I might like that a little bit better and then if you want that could still free you up to make one major trade that might cost a little bit more money.

[00:14:39] Duvall does have some strikeout problems too he struck out over 30% of the time each of the last couple of seasons and you know that's unfortunately probably a deal breaker even though you're not going to be able to do that.

[00:14:50] You and I would be totally okay with strikeouts at this point. I think other interesting ones I mean Tommy Pham I still think can be a productive player in today's big leagues in the right role.

[00:15:00] I think Reese Hoskins if they really thought they would move on from Ty France and package him in some sort of deal would at least be a very productive first baseman and more of a proven hitter.

[00:15:11] I would say then Ty France has been with all the inconsistencies he's had. Robbie Grossman hasn't really been a great player but for seven million dollars that's not terrible Eddie Rosario has been good in a while either. You floated Whit Merrifield to me yesterday.

[00:15:24] Whit Merrifield is I just don't know if I would really buy that offense his offense is really kind of kind of taking a hit. He's honestly low key getting up there in age I didn't even realize how old he is in his mid 30s.

[00:15:37] That seems like a little bit of a stretch.

[00:15:40] I was just trying to think of a way where you don't have Luis Urias playing third base every day because if you sign Whit which is not a perfect idea but it is an idea then you have Urias and Rojas put to it third rather than second and Merrifield could play second.

[00:15:54] And if he again he's not going to blow your way he's not going to be an all star.

[00:15:59] I mean I don't know how he was an all star last year that's conversation in itself but if he puts up two wins and plays second base I'd be OK with that if he can WRC plus one oh five. He hasn't done that in a while.

[00:16:10] No he hasn't so that and that's where we run into problems because yeah again this was an idea right. Yeah.

[00:16:19] Thinking about it more I was like OK maybe this isn't the perfect solution but the problem is again you just cannot run Luis Urias out there every day as your third baseman so I'm trying to think of ideas of how they can do that now if they're willing to spend on Rhys Hoskins I would certainly be open to the idea of a Thai France trade because if you trade France

[00:16:37] to assume in that scenario you will get back either somebody who can play third base or another outfielder so it would fill another need.

[00:16:45] And France you could package with one of the starters if unless instead of packaging one of your prospects you could actually package a full time big leaker which would be a little bit more valuable than throwing in a lottery chip.

[00:16:57] So the trade options that we've highlighted that are still available I mean the Reds guys Jonathan India or perhaps Spencer steer are available the Reds have infielders they need to get off their chest.

[00:17:07] And so we've talked about the trades we have talked about that at length the Cardinals and the Mariners have been linked forever with a number of trades.

[00:17:15] I think you and I still like the idea of trading with the Orioles if we want to give them a picture and in return the Royals the Orioles will give back the Mariners an infielder one of the young bats someone of the future and someone with a ton of upside jazz chism from the Marlins not quite sure if he'd be available

[00:17:32] he would fit as well and then Jack Sawinsky of the of the pirates is a name you flowed to me just before we started recording that could be another option there so like all these would be within the budget because these options wouldn't be the most expensive in the world

[00:17:47] but these would now require you to trade a pitcher and Davis reiterated today they would really prefer not to trade one of those pitchers now they could trade Castillo he brought that up today.

[00:18:00] I think that's getting blown out of the water I'm going to be honest with you we've seen that a little bit this off season I know Divas just talked about it I know Adam Jutes talked about it a little bit.

[00:18:09] I'm sure it's an idea like and when I say I'm sure it's an idea I'm saying I'm sure teams maybe would call about it I'm sure that I understand why in their eyes it makes sense right because you're saying he's a little bit older he's he's not 24 years old the way Miller and we are and maybe you could get a haul back from I just don't think they're doing that I mean do you look at

[00:18:29] they just gave him an extension what a terrible look that would be if they packaged him away right now when they're trying to win even if they got some real young pieces back for him I think that would be a disaster not just within the clubhouse but the idea is a hole he is your dog he's your ace.

[00:18:46] He like and he's under control for four more years at least he's got to stay there you don't have to convince me you really don't have to convince me I think the only way that idea actually should be realistically considered is that

[00:18:59] if you can in turn add significant payroll and impact on the other side and it would probably be in the form of bats you'd be like hey we can add significant salary and bats and not only current but future as well and promise future payroll to some more impact bats.

[00:19:15] Oh you floated this idea out there basically is a joke on our Saturday episode for our reactionary Garver signing podcast.

[00:19:22] If the Orioles said one for one Luis Castillo for Gunnar Henderson sure then I would entertain the idea the Orioles are absolutely not going to do that so we can end the discussion right there therefore I do not think in any scenario you're trading Luis Castillo.

[00:19:35] Right that's the scenario where it's OK otherwise terrible PR look and would be right in line with us off season. Yeah would. Do you what could Emerson Hancock get back for him. Not Gunnar Henderson.

[00:19:48] No not Gunnar Henderson but I'm tying it now back to the idea of if you make a trade with one of these teams or with somebody we're not thinking of it probably would not get or not probably it would not get you back a parade ace in a Rosarita even Jack Sawinsky from the Pirates who's very controllable and has had some success.

[00:20:05] John India. Can you get you back somebody that can play third base that's not Jonathan India. Every day. If you were to if you were to package Hancock and another prospect. No. Did you get every single day.

[00:20:21] No no no hang on for Spencer Steer if you got Hancock and like an upper end prospect.

[00:20:26] Depends what the Reds think of Emerson Hancock I don't know what their evaluation system is if they're high on Hancock and they think he could stay healthy and they think he's a big league starter.

[00:20:35] Sure they might entertain the idea but if they don't believe he's a big league starter than no I don't know if the Mariners think Emerson Hancock's a big league starter right now.

[00:20:43] So they're they don't think that then why would the Reds say hey OK now let's give away a full time big league or big league infielder for someone who we're not even certain is going to start and as well pass this top tier prospect days.

[00:20:57] So question to consider. I'm not saying they do it but I'm just trying to float out ideas here if you if you gave him one of the young short stops in your farm system along with Hancock could it get you back as Spencer Steer.

[00:21:07] I'm not saying for sure I'm saying maybe I'm just trying to again I'm trying to avoid this whole India thing I just want to get you back as Spencer Steer. I'm just trying to again I'm trying to avoid this whole India thing.

[00:21:12] I just we've talked about it now enough. I do not think that makes the team all that much better and he would cost a decent haul.

[00:21:18] Yeah yeah he would but that's all what's on Jerry's plate right now of what they got to figure out the time they have started adding they now need to keep adding and keep adding a couple more pieces that will make them better.

[00:21:32] Before we get to our interview with Dom Kanzone let's take a quick pause and talk to you about our friends over at Pagotches Pub 85.

[00:21:40] I was just there last week hanging out with some friends because it's a great spot to hang out they got some great pizza full drink menu there's 22 TVs in the place and if you show up during happy hours you get some great specials those are Monday through Friday 2 to 6 p.m.

[00:21:54] $3 domestic beers $4 mani's blue moons $4 Mackinjax $4 Wells $4 house wine get all that and go hang out with your friends over at Pagotches Pub 85 in Kirkland. So what did you take away from this Dom Kanzone interview.

[00:22:10] Well I took away something that I kind of suspected but but it's nice to hear someone confirm it is that Dom Kanzone it's not a very online person and good for him right he's probably he probably has a much healthier attitude.

[00:22:24] He's a much better lifestyle than the rest of us who spend all day online that doesn't mean he doesn't see the funny stuff.

[00:22:30] That doesn't mean the good stuff goes over his head and I'm glad he caught right on when we brought something up that he would that he would recognize and it was also you know just very good to talk to talk to another talent although it does sound like he's reconsidering his celebration for next season so you guys are going to have to listen closely for that.

[00:22:48] Yeah I didn't like the sound of that there is a reason behind it. What is that reason you'll hear it in the interview but if it was up to me I'd have him keep it also what percent Italian even are you.

[00:22:59] Me 25% okay okay yeah not not quite Dom Kanzone level but yeah still Italian roots. Yeah enough. All right let's get to our conversation now with Mariners outfielder Dom Kanzone. All right we've got Mariners outfielder Dom Kanzone on with us.

[00:23:19] Okay I saw you were at the Browns Bears game this past weekend. I'm making you take some truth theorem here to start. Did your heart stop on that hill Mary.

[00:23:27] Yeah we definitely thought he caught that ball and that would have been a long walk back to the car so thank God during that moment he was able to drop that for us and it was such an electric game to coming back like that it was so much fun.

[00:23:40] That would be the most like Browns thing ever to happen though right. Yeah that's what I think everybody was just expecting them to catch that hell Mary so it was a giant tire relief and honestly probably a little bit of a shock.

[00:23:51] You talk about guys like you see guys on the sidelines sometimes right if they drop a pass or they fumble the football about doing push ups and stuff to make up for it. I wonder how many push ups Darnell Mooney is doing at practice this week.

[00:24:03] I don't know 200 or something like that after that one. Yeah that's a tough one right in his hands. I mean I don't know I got nothing for him on that one but thank God he was on the other side. What's the Browns ceiling by the way.

[00:24:16] Like what do you think it is going forward because obviously they've got flack of the rest of the year like how far do you think this team can go.

[00:24:22] I mean we try to be hopeful but goodness I mean just the left I mean basically my whole life it's just been really tough to kind of root for him but as a die hard fan I mean I'm hoping that we can win a game or two in the playoffs.

[00:24:35] Hopefully beyond that but it's tough with all the injuries we've had to I mean the shot went down chub went down got a couple offense alignment down everybody's banged up so I'm just really happy that they're even in a playoff position to be honest.

[00:24:49] I think you know personally how a lot of Mariners fans feel when they made the playoffs in 2022 is when the Browns finally made the playoffs in 20 and won a game and you know Baker was looking good and everything that feeling must have been over the moon right.

[00:25:03] Yeah for sure and then obviously you get a little green you want more so obviously we're both organizations are striving for that.

[00:25:11] Okay if we're on the topic of football here are we going to have a talk with Tommy DeVito because the dude stealing your celebration here on national TV like how do you feel about all this.

[00:25:21] Yeah I got a couple text messages about that but I mean it's tough man to compete with his agent too. I mean that guy looks like about the most Italian guy I've ever seen as well so I don't know it's going to be tough to take it back.

[00:25:35] I don't know if I should stick with it or maybe come up some different but we'll see I guess as the season goes along. Do you know if that guy reps baseball players?

[00:25:43] I have no clue but I don't know if it's different in football because you can see him on the sidelines and stuff. I'm pretty happy with my agency as well too so. Okay I got it. I'll say you can get him as a secondary agent.

[00:26:01] I feel like you just need to bring the Italians a little bit more to the Pacific Northwest. Yeah I mean I think the agent in the like stays along to the radar is a little bit better too though so we'll see.

[00:26:13] Okay I got a follow up on something you just said I don't know if you're breaking some news here are you actually thinking about getting rid of the celebration next year?

[00:26:20] I'm not sure yet I mean it's tough I mean DeVito kind of to take it away but I feel like the fans really like it so I probably will stick with it but if he takes it over and it's his I mean I don't know what I should do yet.

[00:26:35] What are the other most Italian people in baseball? I mean gosh both the Fletchers definitely pretty Italian they were on team Italy this year.

[00:26:45] Honestly anybody from team Italy is definitely going to be pretty Italian so hoping to play for them in the next world baseball classic would be awesome.

[00:26:53] Okay I know TJ has one more Italian level question for you we were talking about this before you got on so I'll tee him up for it. Yeah dumb so this is deep cut is it sauce or gravy? Sauce. There we go yeah I'm with you on that.

[00:27:09] Why sauce over gravy?

[00:27:12] I mean I don't know gravy just to me is just that's not something I think of Italian I feel like that's like something you put like Thanksgiving meal it doesn't I don't know like a really good sauce is something you put on pasta so that's kind of where I'm at.

[00:27:25] That's what I was thinking too and you know I'm talking to my dad who's like a New York half Italian.

[00:27:31] He's like oh no there's a lot of people who say gravy I can't believe that I'm sure there are but for me personally that's just it doesn't make as much sense to me.

[00:27:41] If we're going to get into baseball a little bit here and transition over from all the football stuff all the Italian stuff and maybe a little bit of your career on the field.

[00:27:49] The way you got to Seattle right you come over right at the end of the deadline in a trade I'm sure no player ever expects that to happen to him like you don't go into your daily grind thinking that oh I'm going to get flipped over to another team one day but when it actually happens.

[00:28:04] Like how much how much of a shockwave kind of goes through you right because I have to imagine like that's life changing career changing information you kind of get in one sit down so like how do you take all that right off the rip.

[00:28:15] It was definitely a huge adjustment. Definitely a blessing though as well just to be able to get an opportunity with Seattle.

[00:28:22] I did kind of have a feeling that it was coming to a certain degree as well just like talking with my agent and the obviously the trade deadline coming up at that point.

[00:28:31] It was tough you know leaving all the easy guys because I basically went through the org with all those guys like Corbin Fletcher Alec Thomas those guys I mean just great guys great players so it was tough leaving them but the opportunity was definitely in Seattle and guys like

[00:28:50] Geno and Cal taking underneath their wing was was huge just to be able to come to an organization and try to get as comfortable as possible.

[00:28:56] On your like life to do list when you get traded like what's the priority list of things you got to keep track of because people like forget everything else when you get traded so go you got to go play for a different team.

[00:29:06] What about everything outside the ballpark.

[00:29:10] I mean yeah I mean baseball is just like you just got to focus on the next day you get traded you just got to try to produce for that team and do what you can to help them win and you kind of just let everything else settle in after that there's there's not much you can do I mean you have a job to do it.

[00:29:26] And you got to perform to the best of your ability so everything outside of that kind of just fall falls in into place and just gotta go from there.

[00:29:35] But even as something as simple as like finding a place to live like you'd be in a home game but staying in a hotel full time so it feels like you're on the road but you're actually supposed to be at home like it like let's say you got to Phoenix and you're like man I love my apartment here and it's like oh by the way you're trading like.

[00:29:51] Yeah it was such a quick transition though I was on the road so much with AZ and I was basically in a hotel the whole entire time I was with them.

[00:30:00] I didn't even really find housing with them yet because I got traded so so quickly after I got called up so that was a little bit of a blessing not finding a place getting everything moved in but then I was in a hotel with Seattle for a week and then Cal was able to take me under his wing and I lived with him for the rest of the year so that was a great thing.

[00:30:20] It was nice to him to help me out there. What's the best part of Cal Raleigh as a roommate?

[00:30:26] Just the good vibes he brings I mean he's such a great dude just introduced me to different spots being able to go out and see it because the I mean like does speed up on you quickly especially after you get traded and being the first time I was in the big leagues I mean it is really hard to sometimes just sit back and enjoy it because you're just not so much worried but you got a lot to do and a lot on your plate so just being able to like on and off day actually enjoy yourself.

[00:30:50] Explore new places is something that he helped me with and kind of put my mind at ease for sure. What was the thing you found that was what was best like what was the best thing you found for an off day.

[00:31:02] We didn't have a ton of off days but just some of the good places we got to go eat at and then obviously I didn't get too much time but I definitely want to go hiking and probably some fishing out there so we'll explore that next year.

[00:31:15] Cal keep his stuff clean as a roommate is he pretty tidy or does he leave everything everywhere. No he's pretty tidy we kept that place pretty neat I'd say for three guys living in the place at a time for the most part so yeah we're not too dirty.

[00:31:30] Oh who was the third guy? We had a couple guys going in and out. Kate Marlowe was in and out of there for a while so kind of a couple different guys were in and out of there.

[00:31:39] When you saw the Mariners from afar like before you got traded which was only really a couple days before right or a handful of days before.

[00:31:47] Like when obviously you're in the moment and you're focusing on your own game and playing with Arizona but when you saw those guys from afar did you have any takeaways about who they were as a team and the players on the team when you faced them?

[00:31:58] I really didn't I mean I didn't know what to expect it's really hard to tell what kind of players they are when you're only playing for like a series.

[00:32:06] I wasn't playing every day at that point either so it was just nice to come into such a welcoming environment and yeah they did a great job helping me be comfortable for sure.

[00:32:19] So Dom when you were growing up one of your first loves of baseball was watching Ken Griffey Jr as a red how did it feel to go to the franchise where he really made the name for himself?

[00:32:29] Was it cool the really cool the first time you met him too?

[00:32:31] Yeah for sure I met him very briefly I just like introduced myself and he was busy that day I think it was the King Felix day so I just introduced myself but it was just obviously an absolute honor to meet him my favorite player ever growing up.

[00:32:46] And it's one of those things when you're in BP and it's the first time I mean I'm not a centerfielder but I go out the center field just do drill work and stuff and it's cool just to even roam the outfield in the same outfield that he was in so it was definitely a special moment the first time I was out there.

[00:32:59] So when you were watching him growing up was the thought of like what he was in Seattle in your mind or was it purely reds focused?

[00:33:07] It was definitely more reds focused Seattle was a little bit before my time that was when I was super super young so definitely more of a red out good my dad would take me down there probably once a year for spring training games in Florida so it was awesome just to see him that close and yeah I mean he's just a legend.

[00:33:26] Okay I want to take you back a little bit we're kind of going all over the place here but back to the Arizona stuff and when you got traded to Seattle I think I heard somewhere that Corbin Carroll said hey when you get to Seattle like if you need anything my family's there I've got friends there they can help you out like did you ever take them up on any of that?

[00:33:44] No I didn't I mean I've I lived with Corbin in spring training two years in a row so I know his family decently well just great people and but yeah I didn't want to be a burden like that I mean I could find housing for myself but I really did appreciate them reaching out like that.

[00:34:01] What was it like Dom when you were in the Diamondback system if we're talking about Corbin a guy you kind of came up with through the minors and the Diamondbacks I mean talk about stacked outfield system I mean they they really had it and you were a pretty huge part of that how did your game like grow how did you get better because of all those other guys around you?

[00:34:21] Yeah exactly as you said just being around so many great outfielders you learn little things from each guy and we're all left handed bats and a lot of speed guys so they would help me with a lot of route stuff in the outfield especially guys like Corbin, Alec and Fletcher so they help me defensively with some of that stuff and then yeah just being able to talk to them through a bats and through an approach is something that I think is really important.

[00:34:51] I think all of us really enjoyed and we each got better from it.

[00:34:55] Was playing in triple A in that league in the PCL is it as easy to hit in that league as everybody says because everybody says almost all those ballparks are super hitter friendly balls fly there home runs go out of the yard left and right like did you find that to be the case when you were playing there?

[00:35:09] I would say there's obviously some more hitter friendly parks than others that say Vegas is probably the most hitter friendly. That's where I think you really got to use your numbers down there.

[00:35:20] Reno the ball flew a little bit but the park is super big so it was tough to kind of get it out to the gaps.

[00:35:28] As a whole yeah it's definitely a bit of a hitters park league but there's nothing that compares to the double A, Amarillo, Texas. That stadium is an absolute bambox so I've definitely had my fair share of hitters parks and yeah the PCL is definitely hitter friendly but there are some really tough days to hit there especially early in the year when it's super cold when you go to your in Tacoma and it's 30-40 degrees so yeah it just depends what type of time of year it is.

[00:36:00] When Lyle says easy, thinking of it in the perspective of like you're walking to the plate knowing like hey the ball looks like it's the size of the beach ball or when you make contact it's just purely the quality of contact coming off your bat.

[00:36:15] Yeah I think like when you make contact if you put a good at bat together the ball is going to just fly more, more than anything.

[00:36:23] Because it's way easier to see at obviously major league ball parks because they have way better batters eyes and stuff like that but from a ball trajectory from that perspective it's way easier to just hit more homers I'd say and hit for power.

[00:36:43] So your time both in college through the minors I mean you look at the numbers you put up they are like gargantuan numbers so I guess my question off that is what point in your life if you've even had it yet have you said to yourself man hitting is hard because I mean I can't imagine you struggled much in little league.

[00:37:01] You crushed it in high school, you crushed it at Ohio State, you crushed it at every level of the minors have you even had that yet like have you had a point in your life where it's like man I actually feel like hitting a baseball is a hard thing to do.

[00:37:11] For sure and I think every I feel like every hitter has probably gone through that at least once or twice in their career.

[00:37:18] I've definitely gone through it at least twice now the first time was in single A and I was hitting about a buck 20 probably through the first two months of the year and I was honestly questioning myself is this really even for me anymore because you get to that point then I got injured right after that.

[00:37:33] I'm three months into the season injured and I'm hitting a buck 20 in single A I was like how am I supposed to you know even hit at the double A triple A or even the major league level but once I came back just found a bit of a groove and yeah I think everybody needs to go through those struggles for sure and then obviously at the big league level here and there going through some slumps that's definitely an eye opener and I think you have to go through those struggles

[00:37:58] and grow through and grow from to just like become a better version of yourself. Through those struggles was the physical or mental part harder.

[00:38:07] Mental for sure I think everything with baseball is mental the physical part I mean your body should be in shape you should be ready to go it's the mental grind man.

[00:38:17] We talked to Ty Adcock earlier and he you guys didn't play together when you were on the Mariners but I mean he broke down for us like his whole philosophy behind you know being mentally ready keeping himself grounded both on the mound and off the mound as well and it really helps you become a better pro what was your philosophy when you were sort of growing mentally in the game of baseball.

[00:38:42] Just try to like take it day by day you're obviously going to have some over four days you're going to strike out hitting is hitting is probably the hardest thing to do in sports so you really just got to stay positive with yourself and understand that there's going to be good days are going to be bad days and again just take a day by day and just got to keep grinding.

[00:39:02] Is there anything you feel like you really learned about yourself through your roughly first 60 big league games. Is that there's a lot of potential for sure and I'm just excited to keep working in I'm just excited to be in this organization with an opportunity.

[00:39:16] So OK so off of those first 60 games who is a pitcher that you now now that you're in the league that you a most want to face in terms of difficulty and be most want to face in terms of like friendly rivalry.

[00:39:31] Oh gosh definitely for friendly rivalry definitely got to be a guy from AZ.

[00:39:37] I want to face Dre Jameson he talks a lot of smack so I was good friends with him growing up through the AZ organization so I'd like to face him at the big league level one time that'd be awesome hope his recovery is going well.

[00:39:52] Probably the best guys I've faced is definitely Shohei and Strider so they probably had the best stuff. What was the other question.

[00:40:01] Oh actually you answered both of them. I'm going to ask you from a hitting perspective. What makes Shohei so difficult. Why is he such a good pitcher.

[00:40:11] Well he works off of his slider was a little bit different. A lot of guys kind of work off their heater but his slider so dynamite and he's really got five electric pitches.

[00:40:21] I feel like I put a good first step bad against him but I ended up can on either me is his curveball which he is like a two or three percent pitch and I was like what was that so he's definitely got some wipeout stuff that he doesn't even use sometimes so it's guys like that where they got five pitches that are just five dynamite pitches can can get you with anything.

[00:40:40] And to think on top of that he might be a better hitter than he is.

[00:40:42] Yeah exactly. I mean the day we faced him I think he threw five scoreless and hit a two on Homer and went up winning the game that was the day Kate hit that grand slam so that was a crazy game but I feel like the Angels had a lot of those games so.

[00:40:56] Are you guys when you sit across and watch him is it is it all do you guys just sit there kind of like John the floor watching him play.

[00:41:04] I talked to Cal about this because for me that for the first time it was like John the floor like a couple of guys but I think once you face him a couple times it's like all right I've played against this guy before like let's get to work type of deal but I think for a few guys it's like OK yeah that guy's probably one of the best in the world so.

[00:41:22] OK I've got two questions off of that number one you talked about how when you played those guys that he hit a two run Homer he threw five shout out but you guys still won.

[00:41:32] I know you're not on social media much but there is this tweet that resurfaces all the time where it says it's some random dude who got a lot of traction on he says every Angels game goes like this it's like Mike Trout hit Mike Trout hits 500 is show hey does something that hasn't been done since tungsten Armour Doyle in 1919.

[00:41:51] As the angels lose 11 to 6 so yeah I have a right there.

[00:41:59] So OK so I know you're not on social media that much but that means it's really found its way around it I guess if it's coming across your feet and everything right for sure yeah that's that's a good way to put it.

[00:42:09] I've got another question for you and it's kind of tied to show hey because I can hear your dog barking a little bit in the background I don't know if you're gonna keep it as secret as show hey try to what's your dog's name.

[00:42:18] Peanut I can go get her real quick she's just in my bed if you want. It's up to you your call. Yeah I'll grab real quick. She's called. Well I think it's our first dog appearance. There we go. She's a mini golden doodle.

[00:42:41] I got her during COVID and I went back to OSU that year so I got to spend basically like a half year with her and trainer but she's so precious. She's so well behaved I got nothing bad to say about her but we'll stubborn that's about it.

[00:42:55] You get to take her to Seattle? No my dad usually takes her in the off season. No bark at the park night?

[00:43:02] No no bark at the park maybe he'll bring her out she is technically like a service animal but you know how that goes she can fly but. Would she be good at a bark at the park night? She would not be barking that's for sure.

[00:43:15] She would just be in my dad's lap probably not saying much and just enjoying the smells.

[00:43:22] Okay speaking of social media by the way I swear some of these Mariners fans can find anything on social media and with you there's a picture of you I think it was one of the years you were at Ohio State and you're like doing a mean face for one of your yearly photos.

[00:43:35] Like is there a story behind that or did you just say when you took the picture that year alright like I'm gonna go with a mean face? I'm trying to think of the which one it was but um.

[00:43:45] I'm trying to I don't even know if I had like the bat right here was that what it was? Yeah and you kind of got like your teeth are kind of showing.

[00:43:51] Oh yeah like a little smug look yeah I think every single person that year just had like one picture there or they just did something stupid and that was my look for that year. That's a good one.

[00:44:02] Dom like we've heard this comparison thrown out a little bit about you and I kind of wanted to ask you about it when it comes to your swing.

[00:44:10] I don't know how familiar you are with Mitch Hanniger but like doing some reading for this interview and seeing people sort of comp your swing to Mitch Hanniger was there like someone you were trying to mold your swing after when you were coming up because it is tell me if I'm wrong maybe a tiny bit unorthodox like a little bit

[00:44:29] a little bit overly crouched and a little bit open more than some would be like was there someone you were going after with that?

[00:44:40] Not really to be honest because my swing has actually changed a ton over the years especially in college I used to be my first two years I was basically just a slap header and my hitting coach basically told me you got to get some more power if you want to get drafted so

[00:44:55] I implemented the leg kick basically my junior year so that was the first time and it's been a work in progress ever since I mean it's been working but every single day I mean there's something a little tweak maybe you can make it a little bit better so it's always a work in progress.

[00:45:11] Okay when that swing is worked to the fullest what I think of is that home run against the Orioles which if I've got one final question before we get to kind of five fun ones before we really end this thing

[00:45:21] like number one is that just the best feeling in the world I mean you're talking about sweet spotting a baseball beyond believe it goes a country mile majestic shot like is there a better feeling in the world than than that.

[00:45:34] I really don't think there is especially just the hollow feeling you just know it's gone off the bat you can look at it for a second obviously wish we could have won that game but the same time just a memory that I'll definitely never forget and awesome being my first home run with with the Mariners

[00:45:49] and that's kind of the first big moment that the Mariners kind of got to see me in so that was super special just to share that with the fans especially.

[00:45:58] And when you make contact with that ball do you like no idea what kind of bat flip you're going to do or is that just like do you black out and just something happens?

[00:46:08] Yeah it's more of a blackout type of thing especially I think since I'm a little bit younger but once hopefully a few more happen that I'll be able to tame it down a little bit.

[00:46:19] Do you have any ideas though of like some ones you want to do without showing up whoever you're pitching?

[00:46:26] I mean I'd rather do something a little bit more subtle than that obviously I'm not practicing bat flips in my off time but I think it's just like a kind of spur of the moment type of deal where it kind of just happens.

[00:46:37] Well if you model it after your guy Griffey you can do the drop. Yeah I got to get that one hand to finish down though too so we'll see if I can work on that one.

[00:46:46] Is that the coolest moment in your career to this point or do you have another that comes to mind because you were I mean you were fired up after that home run you had every right to be.

[00:46:54] For sure that one is definitely number one and I think number two was the first big lead home rough Strider was pretty special so that one was an AZ but definitely a close second.

[00:47:05] Okay if we've got five questions for you to wrap this up and they're fun questions just a way for some Mariners fans to get to know a little bit more about you but the first one we've got for you is your go to pregame and post game meal is what?

[00:47:19] Okay every single morning pretty much I have eggs and ground beef with a fruit smoothie so that I got to have that before pretty much every morning when it's a home game of course when I can cook.

[00:47:30] I love Chipotle so anytime I can get Chipotle in the system that's a great day. That's probably pregame meal that I like to go to. What about post game?

[00:47:39] Post game meal just some cars man I'm gas burned a lot of calories I mean pasta is obviously pretty good but the Mariners been doing a pretty good job got some great chefs back there definitely some fillets and lobster I can never turn that down.

[00:47:55] Okay next question is your three favorite TV shows of all time. Okay so we got Breaking Bad, The Office and I just watched I think season two is coming out the new show called Tulsa King on Paramount Plus I really liked it. Never seen it.

[00:48:14] Just a mobster it's got some investors still alone in it. And good reviews so far? Yeah I really liked it so if you guys need a show go for it. Alright I'll take you up on that.

[00:48:28] Alright third question best and worst baseball road trip you've made it could be majors or minors. Best road trip gosh I really like Toronto. Toronto is an awesome spot. I hate to say it I mean Texas and Houston had great ball parks that was cool.

[00:48:48] Yeah there's been a lot of really good ones those are probably some of the top three. Let's see worst ones I don't want to I mean I didn't I don't want to dog on any stadium so I'll just keep that one to myself.

[00:49:03] No nightmare minor league road trip stories or anything like that? Oh minor league road trip stories gosh oh yeah in Rookie Ball. I was in Missoula Montana and we had a 10 hour road trip to the middle of Utah I don't even remember where we were going.

[00:49:22] I got off the bus and then my manager said that I got called up to short season ball right after I got off the trip I had all my stuff back in Missoula so that was an absolute mess to only go for a month and had to get all my stuff to Hillsborough so that was probably the worst by far.

[00:49:40] Just a 10 hour bus trip on to a plane and then gone to another bus for a game and play that same day so that was pretty brutal.

[00:49:47] I've got one follow up with that because I mean just thinking about from going all the way from where you were in Rookie Ball to get into the majors.

[00:49:53] Our big league hotel is like as nice as people dream about him being like I know when I was a kid and grew up about like trying to dream of being a big league ball player you think oh these hotels have to be just over the top nice like does it live up to the hype you have in your head as a kid.

[00:50:07] I think so yeah they're they're they're pretty nice I can't I got no complaints on them. The fourth question Dom is what would you be doing if you weren't playing baseball. Oh gosh. I have absolutely no clue I kind of just never like came across.

[00:50:26] Across my mind I would love to open up a shoe store maybe one day but I don't know if I would have the income initially to do that just right out of college so I mean shoe trading is a very tough business to get into but I do love shoes so that probably that probably my next passion.

[00:50:43] How many pairs of shoes do you own. In my closet probably at least 25 to 30 right now. That's honestly first I will say for someone like you said you love shoes that seems a little low.

[00:50:56] Yeah no for sure there's definitely some some more pairs I got to get but that's down the road. Are you a basketball shoe guy or is it something different.

[00:51:05] I love I love Jordan one so I have a ton of those I love dunk so a bunch of those and then just a couple of Jordan for a couple of Jordan fives.

[00:51:14] Some of the old I like some of the old LeBron's I used to wear as a kid when I used to play a basketball so I got those pairs from just like a nostalgic type of deal so that's kind of what I got.

[00:51:24] You ever talked to Brian Wu about that we asked him something similar early in the year he's like dude I can't even count how many shoes I own.

[00:51:30] Yeah I mean I know he's a he's a shoe guy as well but we haven't necessarily gone back and forth on what what he's got. Okay. Last one for you.

[00:51:40] Favorite all time baseball player past or present and I'll have you pick one more because I know you talked about Griffey so if you had to pick somebody past junior who else would you would you put on there. So I can't pick Griffey gosh. That's a tough one.

[00:51:55] I really liked Robinson can those swing he was probably my second favorite player growing up so yeah he had probably the smoothest swing I loved how he played second base just so laid back so definitely him.

[00:52:06] That's another bat drop you could try and try and try and model his like in terms of like Griffey is number one but can I be number two. Yeah or Carlos Gonzalez had a really pretty swing and a good bat bat drop for sure.

[00:52:23] Sounds like maybe you were destined to be a Mariners and Griffey Robinson can oh one and two like that lines up pretty well Dom yeah for sure I think it was just meant to be.

[00:52:31] Yeah well seriously this has been awesome we appreciate all the time you gave us to sit here and talk for a little bit because we've enjoyed talking to you and hearing a little bit a little bit more about you and hope to do it again soon.

[00:52:44] Of course man I appreciate you guys have me on. Really appreciate Dom can zone taking some time to join us before we wrap up this episode award from better help is something interfering with your happiness or preventing you from achieving your goals.

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[00:54:24] And that's it for this out on social media to we're on Instagram tick tock Twitter YouTube shorts at Marine layer pod. That's TJ I'm Lyle as always we thank you guys for tuning in talk to you soon.