M’s Finalize Roster For Opening Day

In the waning days of spring, any summons into the manager’s office is a heart-stopper. Hanging in the balance in the next few moments, depending on the words uttered, are exhilaration or agony. “My heart kind of dropped, but (Eric) Wedge had a big smile on his face,” said reliever Josh Lueke of his office call earlier this week. “I was like, ‘Sweet.’ ” Lueke was one of those Mariners bubble-dwellers who got the welcome news he had made the team. Wedge has been thrilled to deliver those messages to the likes of Lueke, Tom Wilhelmsen and Jamey Wright — but he dreads the flip-side/ Larry Stone , Seattle Times. More here . (AP 2010 file photo, of Ichiro Suzuki sliding into home)

Question: Does anyone out there expect the Mariners to finish in any place other than the American League West basement this year?