The Latest Breaking News from Jerry Dipoto

The race to add two-way baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani in a blockbuster free agency deal is off to a clandestine start

With his club continuing to perform at “very average” levels, Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Thursday morning that he’s open to selling off roster parts before the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline.

The Mariners have been a team predicated on a precise yet tenuous blueprint for success: A strong enough pitching staff, particularly the lockdown bullpen, to compensate for a middling offense.

PEORIA, Ariz. — Mariners manager Scott Servais calls J.P. Crawford “a thinker. He doesn’t get credit for that.”

Teoscar Hernandez said that as the playoff pairings were being determined down the stretch of the MLB season last year, he heard talk among his team — the Blue Jays at the time — that they preferred to face the Mariners.

SEATTLE — Burned by injuries the last time the World Baseball Classic was played, the Mariners were understandably reluctant to let their staff ace pitch in the event this year.

SEATTLE — “A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.”

SEATTLE — Way back in 1990, San Francisco Giants general manager Al Rosen raged that MLB was headed for "Armageddon" based on the outrageous free-agent contracts being handed out. What really piqued Rosen's ire was the four-year, $10 million contract given to middling left-handed pitcher Bud Black (given to him…

SAN DIEGO — The Rangers hired a manager, Bruce Bochy, with three World Series titles and a burning desire for more. Then they signed All-World pitcher Jacob deGrom. The Angels have been steadily adding pieces this offseason in an attempt to build a team worthy of Mike Trout and Shohei…