McLaren has tough choices
PEORIA, Ariz. – When faced with some seemingly difficult roster decisions at the end of spring training, former Seattle Mariners manager Lou Piniella would shrug as if it wasn’t that hard.
“Players,” Piniella said often, “tend to cut themselves.”
Sure enough, a guy might be having the spring training of his life the first three weeks but choke under the pressure of the final week, making it clear to Piniella that he’s not ready.
If that happens this time around, it will help current manager John McLaren make some tough choices that don’t seem so clear-cut right now.
McLaren has five players competing for no more than two spots on the bench, and they all have shown an upside in 18 exhibition games.
Mike Morse is having the best spring of any Mariner, batting .594, and he offers the advantage of being able to play both corners of the infield and outfield. He also is out of minor league options and the M’s risk losing him if he doesn’t make the team.
Greg Norton is a veteran pinch hitter who swings from both sides of the plate.
Wladimir Balentien was batting better than .300 with two homers and seven RBI entering Saturday. He’s been impressive, although the Mariners believe he needs to play regularly in the minor leagues in order to develop.
Jeremy Reed plays every outfield position and was batting .462 despite only 13 at-bats. His disadvantage is being a left-handed hitter on a team that probably will choose a right-handed-hitting backup outfielder, and also that he has a minor league option remaining.
Charlton Jimerson brings speed and some offensive potential, although he hasn’t hit well this month.
“It’s a question of ‘What do we need? What’s the best fit?’ ” McLaren said. “We’ll have many discussions about this. They’re making a strong case, every one of them.”
The Mariners could soften the bench decision by going with 11 pitchers instead of 12, allowing room for five bench players instead of four.
“It’s something we’re considering,” McLaren said. “We’ve just got to see where we are with the bullpen, how many innings are out there and the condition of our starters, which looks excellent. There are a lot of decisions to be made.”
McLaren believes the Mariners’ stronger starting staff should pitch deeper into games this year, reducing the strain on the bullpen.
–Kirby Arnold, Everett Herald
Giants top M’s
San Francisco ace Barry Zito gave up a first-inning grand slam to Seattle catcher Kenji Johjima, but managed to stick around long enough to pick up his first victory of spring training as a Giants split-squad beat the Mariners 14-8 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Aaron Rowand and Ray Durham hit two-run homers and Randy Winn had a solo shot, all off new Seattle ace Erik Bedard.