Why does everyone want to contract Seattle teams? This provincial crap must stop. There is no other rep in MLB for the entire Pacific Northwest (including Alaska an area more than 2/3 the size of the contiguous U.S.). The Mariners draw well, when they are performing well, and with a good stable of young pitchers (Hernandez, Pineda, and Fister) those days may not be far away. Just need some timber in the lineup.

The NBA stole the Sonics. The Seahawks and even Sounders regularly sell out games. This is a GREAT sports city. Contraction should be reserved for teams not supported by the public, and considering it was Washington state tax payers dollars that built Safeco Field, that is simply not the case here.