Mariners News
Cal Raleigh will stay in Seattle for the foreseeable future. The Athletic reports the star catcher agreed to a six-year, $105 million contract extension with the Mariners earlier today. The deal includes a full-no trade clause.
Raleigh is coming off a career year where he led the team in home runs, RBI and walks while catching a personal-high 135 games. The 28-year-old also won the Platinum Glove award, given to the best defensive player at any position in the league. The extension, which will start this season, buys out three years of free agency. His $15.7 million average annual salary places him third among all catchers.
The Mariners also announced a key addition to their Opening Day roster. The team says it’s adding first baseman and designated hitter Rowdy Tellez to its official 26-man roster.. The 30-year-old is entering his eighth season in the majors, including a career year with Milwaukee in 2022 where he had 35 home runs and 89 RBI. His addition would give the M’s another option at first base alongside Luke Raley and Donovan Solano.
Kraken News
The Kraken are looking to avoid a three-game skid when they play the Calgary Flames tonight. It’s Seattle’s final game of its penultimate road trip of the season. They’re facing a red-hot Flames team that’s riding a three-game win streak while fighting for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. But the Kraken will look to secure the season series after taking two of their past three meetings. Coverage begins at 5:30 and puck drops at 6:00 on KPUG.
College Basketball News
The Sweet 16 is set in the women’s college basketball tournament. Similarly to the men’s bracket, it’s been a March lacking any major upsets. All 1 through 3 seeds are still alive and the lowest remaining seed in the tournament is a 5th-seed. Top-seeded USC was dealt a blow yesterday when star JuJu Watkins suffered a torn ACL during their game against Mississippi State, which will require season-ending surgery. The men’s Sweet 16 tips off on Thursday, while the women start on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Washington State women edged Utah Valley 57-54 last night in the 2nd round of the National Invitation Tournament, or NIT. The Cougs now move on to face North Dakota State on Thursday.
NFL News
Speaking of Wazzu, a former Coug is favored to be the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Tennessee Titans have become increasingly impressed with quarterback Cam Ward. Ward is reported to have had an impressive showing at Miami’s pro day yesterday. Schefter says the Titans are still willing to entertain offers for the first pick, but it will now take an even stronger trade package for them to move down.
Ward was a zero-star recruit coming out of high school before spending two years at Washington State. He eventually transferred to Miami, where he set single-season school records for passing yards, touchdowns and completions.
Local Swimming News
A local swimmer played a big part in a national championship effort over the past weekend. Former Bellingham High School standout Gavin Jones helped Denison University win the NCAA Division III swimming and diving title. Jones, who’s a senior at Denison, scored points in every event he swam and had personal best times in every event. He represented the Bellingham Bay Swim Team this past summer at the US Swimming Olympic Trials.
