Updated Feb 22, 2012 - 5:00 pm
What to expect from the new-look Franklin Gutierrez
You can always count on spring training to provide more than one story about a player claiming to be in the best shape of his life.
Such is the case this year with Franklin Gutierrez. By all accounts, the Mariners center fielder has the bulging muscles to prove it.
Gutierrez arrived at spring training noticeably bigger, reportedly having added 10-15 pounds of muscle over the offseason. With his improved strength and the stomach issues that have slowed him for parts of the last two seasons apparently under control, Mariners manager Eric Wedge thinks Gutierrez is in line for a bounce-back season.
"It's really evident at home plate. It's obviously evident in his stature and the way he's carrying himself," Wedge said of Gutierrez, who hit .224 in 92 games last season. "You see that confidence in his eyes. You see that strength in his persona -- all those things that really will play into him getting back on track. I've said it before, I really feel like he's going to have a heck of a year for us."
Bob and Groz offer their expectations for Gutierrez in the video below.
You can download Wednesday's podcast here.
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Dan1 wrote...I hope soFebruary 22, 2012 7:53 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }Reply Report this as abuse -
Tonic99 wrote...WowFebruary 23, 2012 2:28 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }Reply Report this as abuse
Bob Stelton is the co-host of Bob and Groz. He comes to 710 ESPN Seattle from 101 ESPN in St. Louis and had previously worked for Sporting News Radio in Chicago and Santa Monica, Calif. Bob began his radio career in Seattle in 1997 after a failed attempt to become a rock star. He's back in his home town and looks forward to talking about the teams he grew up with. 
Dave Grosby co-hosts Bob and Groz, weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on 710 ESPN Seattle. "The Groz" has spent the last 19 years of his 37-year broadcast career as a Seattle sports talk show host. Dave is also the play-by-play announcer for Seattle University basketball games heard on 710. 
After two years as the producer for "Brock and Salk," Colin Paisley now produces "Bob and Groz." Colin also hosts "Seattle Sports Saturday" with Tom Wassell and the "Colin and Tom" podcast. Colin came to 710 ESPN Seattle after five years at various FM music stations in Bellingham and Seattle. In addition to his time as producer and host, Colin likes to spend his time embracing his "Slacker Gen-Y" persona by napping and not caring about stuff. Plus he likes tons of bands you've never heard of, and once you hear of them he'll stop liking them.
