A GRIP ON SPORTS • We’re back, and really looking forward to the next Gonzaga game. Yep, the Zips of Akron are coming to Spokane on Saturday. It has to be better than last night’s snoozefest, right? Read on.

A person with knowledge of the talks says the San Francisco Giants have agreed to trade right-hander Chris Heston to the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named. The Giants didn’t have a spot for the 28-year-old in their rotation featuring Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, Matt Moore and Matt Cain.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Today’s column is brought to you by the letter “W.” As in baseball’s winter meetings. As in where do the Seahawks go from here? And as is, “well, it’s about darn time.” Read on.

GRIP ON SPORTS • Where were we? Oh, ya. Wondering about the college football playoffs. At least a day away didn’t change that. Or, probably, the teams that will be in. Or the angst about it. Read on.

The Seattle Mariners have signed free agent lefty reliever Marc Rzepczynski to a two-year contract. The Mariners also signed right-handed reliever Casey Fien on Saturday. Lefty Dean Kiekhefer and righty Zach Lee were designated for assignment.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • The preliminaries are over. The flotsam out of the way. It’s time for the real deal. The big game. Well, make that the big games. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • My goodness, a lot went on yesterday. One of the Pac-12’s coaches who had won the most games over the past four years was fired, the conference announced its all-snubbed team and the M’s decided to run a campaign for one of their own. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Ever stare at a blank computer screen and wonder what you’re going to fill it with? Me neither. Except about every other day. Luckily for me – and you – today isn’t one of those days. Today is about baseball. Read on.

Former Seattle Mariners outfielder Stefen Romero has signed a one-year contract with the Orix Buffaloes of Japan’s Pacific League.