Today Thursday
February 25 the Seattle Mariners full squad went through their first day of
spring training. It is a great time for
fans that are in Arizona to see the players working out.
I am not there this
year however I was at training camp in 2013. I did not spend my time until
games were under way but I did get to see the player’s workout before the game
began. It was great to be there around 10 am seeing the pitchers throwing and
the batters hitting. I was able to see some of the minor leaguers as well.
During the early time I was able to get some autographs of players on a ball. I
was able to see Felix but Jesus Montero is the only player remaining on the
forty man roster that I got an autograph from. Of course things have changed in
that time Jesus was the starting catcher then and now he is fighting to keep a
position on the Mariners.
When I was in Peoria I
stayed with my cousin Christy and her husband David. They stay there for about
two months and they will go to several games this spring. They told me last
week when they came through to my home here in Washington State that they would
need a program like all the fans to know the names of all the new players.
This will be quite the
move for the Mariners to see who will be fourth and fifth starters in pitching
rotation along with the bullpen. At this it looks like the battle in the
bullpen will be second lefty along with Charlie Furbush and three righties. The
Mariners plan to have a total of seven relievers starting the season. So the
Mariners have quite a few bullpen pitchers to make those three spots most being
veterans.
In the infield the
position players are pretty well set except who will be right handed platoon
with Adam Lind at first base and the utility player in the infield. According
to general manager Jerry Dipoto they looking to see if they can find a veteran
infielder who plays shortstop since the three candidates have little experience
in the major leagues. The outfield is really set right now any other candidates
will be those who likely start in triple A in case of injury.
The next six weeks for
sure will be interesting for all of us to see. Not only who will make the final
twenty-five man roster but how Scott Servais will be working as a manager along
with his coaches. The only one returning the staff is hitting coach Edgar
Martinez. I like former Mariner pitcher Mike Hampton as bullpen coach because
he is like having a second pitching coach. So far he has been watching the
pitchers in training camp that may make up the bullpen along with some of the
starters since he was a starting pitcher himself during his major league
career. I look forward like us all who comes out in the end of March for the
new Mariner team. Go Mariners!
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