The Mariners have made a pair of trades, landing left-handed starter Drew Smyly from the Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander reliever Shae Simmons from the Atlanta Braves. Seattle completed the two deals on Wednesday.

The Mariners have made yet another trade, acquiring right-hander Shae Simmons and outfielder Mallex Smith from the Atlanta Braves for left-handed pitching prospects Luiz Gohara and Thomas Burrows.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • There is a certain rhythm to the NFL season. Week by week, the better teams rise to the top until the playoff participants are decided. Then the weak begin to be culled from the herd. Last weekend, four pretenders were jettisoned. Four more will be thrown out this week. Finally, there will be one. The champion. The survivor. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • We thought long and hard about taking a snow day. After careful deliberation, which included, but was not limited to, looking out the front window with a cup of steaming hot coffee in my right hand, we decided to struggle through. And to even start on time. But we did slip and fall a couple of times while running down your links. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • There aren’t enough hours in some Saturdays to get finished what we all want to accomplish. That is, if the to-do list includes anything other than sports, either live or on television. Today is one of those Saturdays. And how. Read on.

The Mariners pulled off two trades in a span of a few hours that swapped one outfielder and starting pitcher for another outfielder and starting pitcher. First, they obtained right-hander Yovani Gallardo from Baltimore in a morning deal for outfielder Seth Smith. That trade provided the necessary rotation inventory for an afternoon deal that netted outfielder Jarrod Dyson from Kansas City in exchange for right-hander Nathan Karns.

The Royals have acquired right-hander Nathan Karns from the Seattle Mariners for outfielder Jarrod Dyson, solidifying a pitching staff that lost workhorse Edinson Volquez to free agency.

The Mariners landed another option for their pitching rotation on Friday, acquiring right-handed pitcher Yovani Gallardo from the Baltimore Orioles for outfielder Seth Smith.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Where were we? Oh ya, I remember. In a galaxy far, far away. Finally got to see “Rogue One” yesterday. Which started Christmas Day off right. Then it was on to football, where almost every team I wanted to win, didn’t. How does that happen? Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Twas the night before the night before the night before Christmas and all through Boise, Vandals were stirring. Partying, really. And why the heck not? Their football team had just put up 61 points on Colorado State. It had won the school's first bowl game in seven years. And it all happened on Boise State’s bright blue field. That seems like a winning trifecta worth celebrating. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Where were we? Oh ya, wondering if Eastern Washington’s defense was up to the task of getting the Eagles into the FCS title game. We don’t have to wonder anymore. Though, to be fair, a last-second touchdown isn’t the best way to judge. Read on.