Grip on Sports: Dipoto continues to gather ingredients for what he hopes will be a winning recipe

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Yesterday the subject was cupcakes. Today it is another baked good. And it has to do with the Mariners. Read on.

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• Jerry Dipoto is, in a sense, a chef. He’s trying to concoct a winning recipe for the M’s. He’s like one of those rare non-tattooed contestants on “Chopped,” opening his basket and finding some mystery ingredients.

Ostrich neck? Figleaf gourds? Blackberry honey? None of those probably interest him. But turnovers, that ingredient would make him smile.

What better way than to bake a postseason cake than starting with a whole new roster?

Every season.

OK, Dipoto is going to keep some players, from Robinson Cano to James Paxton to Kyle Seager. But outside of the protected core, everyone is fair game. Yesterday it was emerging relief pitcher Emilio Pagan who was chopped. In return, Dipoto filled a hole at first base, picking up 25-year-old Ryon Healy from Oakland.

And in doing so, it seems pretty clear the Mariners are saying goodbye to former A’s Danny Valencia and Yonder Alonso, both free agents. They manned first base for most of last season. And it also seems clear Daniel Vogelbach, who was one of Dipoto’s earliest acquisitions with Seattle, is no longer in the picture at the position.

As Dipoto turns the roster over, he’s also making it younger.

Healy is under club control for a few years, while Valencia, 33, and Alonso, 30, would have cost plenty to sign through 2023 (if anyone wants to), when Healy can hit the open market.

As you sit down to your granola and yogurt this morning, think about Dipoto and his favorite treat. And clear some room. There will be more turnovers this offseason.

• Don’t ever forget athletes can be heroes too, especially to little kids. When they remember that, it is special. As it was yesterday at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital.

Two Seahawks, Luke Willson and Tanner McEvoy, flew over from Seattle and spent the afternoon with the patients there, visiting every room in the hospital. The S-R’s Terrence Vent has the story, one that highlights the happiness such visits can bring to children in need of a smile or two. You can see it in the photographs Colin Mulvany took of the visit.

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WSU: Football’s bye week seems like a good time to catch up with the basketball program. The Cougars played last night and had to play catch up with Seattle U. But they did and then some, winning 75-59 against the Redhawks and former Whitworth and Eastern Washington coach Jim Hayford. Theo Lawson has the game story – newcomer Carter Skaggs hit seven 3-pointers – and a piece on Hayford. … On the football front, Theo has his Pac-12 picks (all of them this week) and the news Hercules Mata’afa is a Walter Camp semifinalist. Mata’afa has to be a lock for the Pac-12 defensive player of the year award. … Back to basketball, the women won at USF. … Jim Allen previews the soccer team’s NCAA second-round match against Tennessee in Florida.

Elsewhere in Pac-12, there always seems to be at least a power ranking or two to pass along. … Washington faces a struggling Utah offense but the Huskies will do it without their best linebacker. Azeem Victor was suspended again following a DUI arrest. Utah has not done well against North teams. … Arizona State travels to play an Oregon State team that should look different on defense. … Arizona travels to play an Oregon team that might look different on offense. … Colorado doesn’t have to travel anywhere. It has a bye. … The rivalry game of the week is in the Bay Area, where the Big Game isn’t as big as it was in the past. Though this week’s Cal versus Stanford contest does hold high stakes for the Cardinal. … Down south, UCLA and USC feature great quarterbacks, great history and no importance in the conference races. … At least the Bruin football players aren’t dealing with the off-court mess the basketball team is dealing with. And the fallout. The Bruins almost lost to Central Arkansas last night at home.

Gonzaga: There is more than one way to play defense in college basketball. The Zags expect to see a lot of zone next week in the PK80 tournament, so they are preparing for it now. Jim Meehan has the story. … Last year’s Final Four run will probably never be forgotten by GU fans. And a Milwaukee company is trying to ensure that, while making a little money too. Whitney Ogden has a story on a bobblehead doll that will be available soon. … Elsewhere in the WCC last night, BYU ground out a victory over Princeton and 21st-ranked Saint Mary’s had little trouble with Cal State Fullerton. USD also won its home opener but Pacific lost against UC Davis.

EWU: Jim Allen caught up with basketball coach Shantay Legans yesterday and they talked about the Eagles’ win at Stanford. … Around the Big Sky in football, Southern Utah isn’t getting much respect despite a solid resume. … There is an awkward situation in Flagstaff concerning the athletic director, the football coach and the future. … UC Davis hopes to derail Sacramento State’s most successful season in years. … Montana State hopes to do the same to Montana. … In basketball, Montana State won easily over Montana Western.

Whitworth: The Pirates opened their basketball season with an early morning game Wednesday, getting past La Verne 95-73 at the Fieldhouse.

Preps: State playoffs continue this weekend, with Whitney covering the Washington football games, Jim Allen examining St. George’s run in soccer and Dave Nichols looking back at Mead’s slowpitch success. … Steve Christilaw has a story on West Valley’s soccer as well.

Seahawks: Monday night’s game with the Falcons will feature a blast from the past, even though Matt Hasselbeck will not be on the field to play. … The Hawks’ running back situation continues to be in flux. Though Mike Davis is just happy to be in the muddled picture. … Richard Sherman is on the mend.

Mariners: We covered yesterday’s trade above. But we didn’t want to skip the news the M’s added to their coaching staff.

Sounders: Clint Dempsey not only was named the MLS Comeback Player of the Year, he signed a contract extension with Seattle.

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• I have a $5 bill that says Dipoto isn’t done making deals this offseason. And I’m sure no one will take the bet. Speaking of a trade with the Athletics, it brought back memories of one of the first headlines I ever wrote for a major newspaper. I was on the desk at the Orange County Register and the Athletics signed shortstop Billy Almon. My headline, which another editor nixed before it found print, had the term A’s and the word hole in it. The connection wasn’t on purpose, I swear. Until later …