Spring Training Thread

[Sweezo]

The awesome offseason is officially over as pitchers and catchers report today!

[TTown]

I'm both eager and extremely nervous for the season. Seattle tends to do well when no one expects them to, and the anticipation for 2008, and the subsequent disappointment, still lingers. That's going to be tough to shake. I realize the organization is in a much better place now, and Cliff Lee > Erik Bedard, but I think I've already set up a "playoffs or bust" mentality -- the result of not tasting the postseason for 9 years -- despite the AL West looking pretty damn formidable 1-4.

Eh... let's just get the season on with. I'm sure all concerns will be alleviated come summer when Bedard gets back and our criminal 1-2-3 punch is mowing teams down.

[TTown]

M's target Feb. 24 as Cliff Lee's first bullpen session, per the RealGM headlines above.

[Sweezo]

Finally something genuinely intriguing at Spring Training, as the M's have Lopez at 3rd base right now with Figgins at 2nd:

Taking a break here from the morning workouts, where the Mariners had Jose Lopez at third base and Chone Figgins at second in an early drill. We talked about this on Geoff Baker Live! last week. The Mariners are going to use spring training to get a look at Lopez at third and Figgins at second. Will it continue? I don't expect it to, but we'll get that confirmed by the team once the workout is done. The Mariners like to have flexibility and the way you get that is by working guys out at different positions. But there's a huge difference between doing it in a spring training drill and carrying it over into a game.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/2011161919_lopez_at_third_base_lee_taking.html

Thoughts? The reaction around the blogosphere seems to be mixed, but I think it's a good idea. In terms of build and assets, Lopez seems better suited for 3B and Figgins for 2B. If the transition actually begins to take shape and one of the two struggles mightily, I doubt the change is kept.

Is it just temporary? I don't know...it's the first big practice of the year, and the change is out there on the diamond for God and everyone to see. I'm not convinced this isn't what management wants to see happen...

[Ex-hippie]

Figgins is probably a better all-around fielder than Lopez, so for 2010 it seems to me that they're doing the right thing. If they're serious about this whole Ackley-at-second thing, and we all agree that Lopez will be the one who's shown the door if he makes it there, I guess they'll have to move Figgins back... but I guess that's one of the good things about Figgins, namely that he's the kind of guy you can stick anywhere on the field at any time.

Say, have they thought about Ackley at third? His pre-Tommy-John'd arm should be good enough there and he won't have to learn to master the double play pivot.

[TTown]

Good stuff on Baseball Tonight yesterday from Pedro Gomez. He outlined how Milton Bradley grew up idolizing Griff growing up and if anyone can get Bradley to realize his 5 tool potential, it's KGJr.

[Bay_Areas_Finest]

Just wanna say that I really hope Mike Sweeney makes the team. Not only was he a great clubhouse presence last season, but the dude actually hit at a decent enough clip. Ofcourse he can't really play anywhere, but he's a solid pinch-hitter and occasional DH. Plus he's been having an awesome spring.

Oh, and I laughed when I read the headline that Milton Bradley got ejected from a game.

[Sweezo]

The problem is, given Sweeney's age and well-documented back problems, he's not a guy you can throw out in the field. Griffey's in the same boat. We can't afford to give two bench positions to guys who just pinch hit.

I'd rather go with Garko...he's already signed to a major league deal, he can hit, has some power, and can play in the IF.

P.S. that Bradley ejection was a joke!!! Did you it? He got tossed for no good reason...

[nuke the whales]

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/ ... n.html.php
UPDATE: Cliff Lee has right abdominal strain
He's scheduled to be re-evaluated in one week, but as Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times writes, "you can forget about week one."