Minor Cuts

The Mariners will start the 2010 season with plenty of outfield options. One of those will not be Michael Saunders, who was optioned to the Rainiers today. Also cut were pitchers Mike Koplove and Levale Speigner. With 41 players left in the big league camp, it will be interesting to see who makes a pretty full roster.

Pitching wise, it appears that Wakamatsu will more than likely carry an 11 man pitching staff, (5 Starters, 6 relievers). Of the 18 currently in camp (15 active roster, 3 non-roster invitees), at least 8 spots are guaranteed. These would be 4 Starters (Felix Hernandez, Cliff Lee, Ian Snell, and Ryan Rowland-Smith), and 4 Relievers (David Aardsma, Mark Lowe, Brandon League, and Sean White). Of the guys left, Erik Bedard will join the team later in the season, but not until May or June. So far, Jason Vargas appears to be the front runner to fill Bedard's rotation spot until then, which would probably count out Luke French, who hasn't given Vargas a run for his money. I'd imagine that Doug Fister and Garrett Olson have pitched their way out of the rotation as they have abyssmal springs and have yet to establish consistent success in the bigs. The only thing helping Olson or French is that the bullpen lacks lefties. However, all three remaining non-roster invitees (Jesus Colome, Chad Cordero, and David Pauley), as well as Kaneoka Texeira, have all outpitched French and Olson. Plus, Cordero gets points for have 128 big league saves. I'd bet on Cordero and Texeira, or Shawn Kelley making the roster.

Catching wise, Rob Johnson looks to start. His hitting is still not there,but his defense has been stellar. Gulliermo Quiroz and Eliezer Alfonzo, two of the remaining non-roster candidates, will not make the team. The big choice will be whether to have Adam Moore backup Johnson and work his into a starting role during this season and next, or if the M's decide to give him more minors experience and have Josh Bard as the backup. It looks to go about 50/50 on that choice.

The infield is all but chosen. Casey Kotchman, first. Chone Figgins, second. Jack Wilson, short. Jose Lopez, third. This is assuming that Lopez gets acclimated enough to playing to the liking of Wakamatsu. Otherwise, Lopez and Figgins could be switched back. Bet its temporary and completely dependent on Dustin Ackley's progress. As soon as he's ready, Lopez will probably get traded. Anyways, those would be the starters. Also making the team will be Ryan Garko to face lefthanded pitching while playing some first and DH.

Outfield starters will be Milton Bradley, Franklin Gutierrez, and Ichiro with Griffey facing right handed pitching as DH. When the M's face lefties, Griffey sits, Bradley DHs, and Eric Byrnes plays left.

This leaves 3 open spots for the field. Jack Hannahan is a favorite as he can play the entire infield as an adequate defensive replacement and catch in emergency situations. Ryan Langerhans, (You know that guy who hit 2 walk off home runs and did little else), may be a fifth outfielder which may be a waste of move, since Figgins can also play outfield. I'd like to see Tuiasosopo make the team as he's been tearing up the ball, as well as Mike Sweeney. So many starters on this team have been chosn for their defensive play, but maybe Sweeney and Tuiasosopo could be could pitch hitter choices. Also, I'd like to see non-roster invitee Corey Patterson beat out Langerhans for a reserve role if the M's decide they need an extra outfielder.