THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: The draft(s), ghost runners and other things

The plan was set in stone.

Truly.

We were going to do a weekly notes and quotes column for today — a day prior to the NFL draft — and chat totally, ENTIRELY about things other than pro football.

But of course …

That was silly, because it’s doggone impossible to avoid the draft.

In this case, the news that’s forced its way into our notes involves Arizona, and the possibility that there’s the sound of impending divorce rumbling between the Cards and quarterback Kyler Murray.

Each side has made some strange statements that can mean almost anything — but usually turn out to prove that no one is happy.

When pressed, the Cards finally said that they no intention whatsoever of trading Murray.

None!

HOWEVER, every Seattle fan will recall that, meeting the media during the NFL combine, Seahawks boss Pete Carroll was quizzed about Russell Wilson.

Pete said: “We have no intention of moving forward without Russ.”

Right.

The moral here is that pro sports teams tell the truth, or not, depending on their needs.

I’m guessing that, no matter how things shake out during the draft and beyond, Murray will not be spending his entire career in Arizona.

Or perhaps very little of it, at all.

Whether or not the Seahawks might be interested in Murray (and at what price), let’s call this, um …

A holding pattern.

Meanwhile, I really DO have some non-draft items on the menu today.

Let’s see …

ITEM: We’re hearing the usual spring fuss about which Gonzaga underclassmen will be taking a shot at the NBA.

So far on this year’s merry-go-round, Zags starters Drew Timme, Chet Holmgren, Andrew Nembhard and Julian Strawther have all entered the NBA draft.

Each has at least one season of eligibility remaining, as does the fifth starter, Rasir Bolton.

Holmgren is a lock to depart, and he’ll be chosen at the very top of the board — while Nembhard stated he is finished with college ball, no matter where (or if) he’s picked in the two-round draft.

Strawther needs work on his game to interest the NBA, and almost surely will be back with the Zags — and honestly, I think Timme will return, as well.

Drew’s decision will tilt a lot of polls and pundits on the issue of whether the Zags are due for another deep run in the NCAA tournament.

Among warm and fuzzy reasons to remain …

Timme and Strawther — among several other teammates — are in line to cash some checks from NIL (name, image and likeness) deals.

Although Gonzaga has plenty of guards, including Nolan Hickman, Hunter Sallis and Dominick Harris (who is coming off an injury), Bolton also might think about staying another year.

The Iowa State transfer has become deeply involved in charity work around the region, and he may want to combine that with a final season of college hoops.

He’d be very welcome, in both pursuits.

ITEM: Washington State recently landed a “name” basketball recruit in Spokane native Dylan Darling, but overall, Cougs coach Kyle Smith has lost more than he’s gained.

So far, at least.

Smith will be working the transfer portal like crazy to replenish his roster.

Wazzu knew it was losing senior leader Michael Flowers, but it also endured a couple of unpleasant departures.

Guard Noah Williams, who was expected to break out this past season as a junior, instead struggled to recapture the form of his previous season.

Unfortunately, Williams decided to try to find his game back at home, so the Seattle native transferred to U-Dub.

Washington State also lost exciting young big man Efe Abogidi, who declared for the NBA draft, and also put his name in the transfer portal.

In other words, Efe probably won’t make it as a pro this trip around, but he’s leaving Pullman in any event.

And freshman big man Mouhamed Gueye declared for the draft the other day, but left open the option to return to Pullman.

Considering that Smith’s team made it to the NIT semifinals in New York City to cap off a 22-win season, losing two starters like this is really a downer.


Ah, life in the portal …

ITEM: Let’s hear it for strategy.

Love it.

Now that Major League Baseball has officially adopted the extra inning “ghost runner” as one of its permanent rule changes going forward, we’re starting to see teams figure out how to make the best use of it.

You probably know the rule by now …

From the 10th inning on, each team begins its half-inning on offense with a runner on second — specifically, the player who made the last out in the previous inning.

The Mariners, when their bullpen is fully healthy (Ken Giles, Sergio Romo and Paul Sewald are all missing), figure to benefit from the rule.

They don’t strike out much (meaning they can advance runners) and they have plenty of quality relievers to escape that “ghost runner” situation.

One unusual tweak with the rule is that, unlike almost everything else in a normal game, it can give a slight advantage to the visiting team.

How?

Well, when the Mariners faced Kansas City last Sunday, there were some situations when they probably would have rather not faced the next batter coming up in the Royals’ order.

In a normal game situation, you could intentionally walk that hitter – but in the top of an inning with the “ghost runner” already in play, you really want to avoid giving up more than one run.

The rationale is that it’s likely you can rally for a single run of your own (at the least) in most cases.

So, you take your chances.

The visiting team, though, has no need to worry about those extra runs.

When Seattle batted in the bottom of the 13th inning on Sunday with the score tied, Adam Frazier was the runner on second and Ty France was due to be the first hitter.

Since France was sizzling hot (eight hits in two games), the Royals just walked him.

Why not, since Frazier’s run would end the game all by itself?

The strategy was sound, but it didn’t help.

Jesse Winker dumped a single to right, scoring Frazier and giving the Mariners a 5-4 victory.

Right, we’ve got plenty more notes and quotes, and once all the hoopla from the NFL draft dies down, we’ll do this dance again, OK?


Great.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball which is published monthly during the offseason.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”