A hot stove is always appreciated

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Is it too early to start thinking about baseball season? When it’s 25 degrees outside, is wishing for spring appropriate? What say you? Read on.

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Yes, I know the college football season in these parts is still rolling on, thanks mainly to the efforts of the Eastern Washington Eagles.

And I know the college basketball season is not to be missed, what with a top 10 team playing in the Kennel. And I am aware the Christmas lights just went up around the neighborhood, bringing a smile to my wife’s face and the Avista’s bottom line.

But heck, I want baseball season to start tomorrow. And if not then, then at least in a week or two, after the M’s have had enough time to pick up another pitcher. The news that broke yesterday of the Mariners’ agreeing to a contract with free-agent power hitter Nelson Cruz brought to mind a couple things. It is so nice that ownership these days is willing to spend a bunch of money. It is so nice the M’s actually look as if they are willing to take chances in pursuit of the postseason.

And does Branch Rickey’s admonition about trades – “it’s better to make a trade one year too early than one year too late” – apply to free agency in an opposite way?

All three thoughts are related, you know. Last year Nelson Cruz was coming off a season cut short by a PED suspension. Few teams were willing to take a chance on him and none, including Seattle, seemed to be willing to give him the long-term, high-money deal he sought. So he signed a one-year contract with Baltimore, had a great first half of the season and is cashing in with the M’s. But was last year his last good year? We’ll see. No one expects him to match his 2014 numbers this upcoming season, not after playing 81 games in the less-than-cozy confines of Safeco.

But even if he has a decent year, his bat, sandwiched between Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager in the lineup, should improve the M’s dismal designated hitter numbers from last season.

I do know this: If the M’s had made this deal last season, they would have been in the postseason. That still seems to be the goal.

Does it surprise anyone Seattle has three $100-million men in their clubhouse these days? And they may be willing to add another, or at least one close to it? Everyone in the know is saying the M’s aren’t done this season, that they are still pursuing another outfielder, maybe the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp, who has a Kyle Seager-sized contract hanging around his neck. If that’s true, it marks a sea change in the organization since former team president Chuck Armstrong retired about year ago. Maybe that’s the difference, but whatever it is, the M’s are different these days from the top down. And that makes us pine for the upcoming season, even if there is a chance of snow in the forecast.

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• WSU: The Cougars are in the midst of basketball season as well – Ernie Kent held a conference call yesterday and Jacob Thorpe covered it – but the big news in Pullman revolves around the next defensive coordinator. Jacob has a story in today’s S-R as well as a blog post here looking at possible candidates. My money is on Mike Leach doing something completely different, like hiring Chuck Hagel or someone and turning the defense over to him. Just kidding. Sort of. … Jacob also has his morning post . … Two Cougars were honored by the Pac-12 for their academic achievement . … Klay Thompson has a best friend who is always there for him.

• Gonzaga: The Zags return to the McCarthey Athletic Center tonight for a matchup with Southeastern Louisiana. Jim Meehan has this preview . … BYU has a tough in-state road game coming up.

• Chiefs: Nothing from these parts, but Vancouver made a coaching change yesterday.

• Shock: Spokane has signed a free agent defensive lineman after an open tryout.

• Seahawks: A couple of weeks ago, there was no joy in Mudville , was there? Now? The Hawks control their destiny, they have a big matchup with another top NFC team, Philadelphia , on the road, and their coach gets along just fine with the owner . That coach, Pete Carroll , spoke about that relationship with Paul Allen yesterday. … The Hawks had picked up another cornerback last week but he failed his physical . … That doesn’t mean Seattle isn’t still looking for players. … Speaking of Philadelphia, the Eagles are favored in Sunday’s game.

• Mariners: The Cruz signing is about the only news from the Mariners right now. But that’s to be expected. It’s the middle of football and basketball season. Jeez, baseball doesn’t start for two or three months yet.

• Sounders: The Sounders season may have ended Sunday but that doesn’t mean they have a long break. Training for next season begins in about a month . … Seattle may look a bit different next year, what with DeAndre Yedlin on his way to England and the MLS expanding.

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• You know what? I think about baseball season as much in the cold time of the year as I do in the summer. It’s a way to stay warm, mentally. … By the way, I was finished with my blog post at the usual time this morning, but the S-R’s system wasn’t working properly. So I had to wait to post it. Sorry. Until later …