| By Alex Carson |  | By 01-27-2012 |
Jason on what not extending Ichiro says about the club.We're closing in on spring training, as there are only 15 days left until pitchers and catchers report. Let's dive right in.
Prospect Lists and Invitations
The Mariners announced their organizational invites to spring training. The nine players coming to big league camp are right-handers Taijaun Walker, Erasmo Ramirez, Stephen Pryor and Forrest Snow, left-hander James Paxton, infielder Nick Franklin, outfielder Vinnie Catricala and catchers Jesus Sucre and Ralph Hernandez.
You may notice Danny Hultzen's name missing from the list, but that's purely because he was signed to a major league deal, so his invitation was already there.
Another interesting note was Vinnie Catricala listed as an outfielder. See below for a quote from Tony Blengino on why the club wants to get Cat the Bat some outfield reps.
Spring Training Media Luncheon
The Mariners today held a media event at Safeco Field to discuss a plethora of issues regarding spring training, the roster, player development, Japan travel and more. Here are some of the takeaways I jotted down.
Kevin Martinez On Promotions
There will be a heavy emphasis on the team's 35th anniversary celebration. Aside from wearing a commemorative patch, there will be a different player from the past on hand during each weekend home series.
In July, Dan Wilson and Randy Johnson will be inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame.
Rick Griffin Health Updates
Several players with injuries last season have seen vast improvement. Brendan Ryan isn't experiencing any symptons following his neck issues. The same can be said for Casper Wells' vertigo bout after taking a fastball to the nose. Adam Moore had no setbacks during winterball while rehabbing from MCL surgery. Chone Figgins' range of motion and explosiveness are much improved now that his hip flexor problems have let up.
Franklin Gutierrez is up to 197lbs, up from his end-of-season weigh-in of 183. Griffin talked about Gutierrez's diet stabalizing as he's learned what he can and cannot eat. He's gone 10 months without issue now and greatly benefitted from a full off-season of workouts without illness.
Justin Smoak's body fat is down 4-percent. His range of motion and agility are up as he's shed weight. His scale now reads 220, down from the 234 he was at when acquired from Texas.
Front Office Talk
GM Jack Zduriencik and his crew answered some questions about the state of the roster and the farm system.
Tony Blengino on Vinnie Catricala being listed as an outfielder on the spring training invitee list: "He can really hit and we have a lot of outfielders on our 40-man roster. It's another trick in his bag that will help him get to the big leagues."
On the team's chances to contend this season, Zduriencik said: "We have some young kids. This will be a challenging year at the big league level. Let's not kid ourselves."
Zduriencik also used Justin Smoak as an example when discussing when some of the other farm hands may come up. He reminded media members in the room about how he told them in private at the time of the trade that he felt Smoak still belong in in AAA and that Texas rushed him. He reiterated his stance on promoting players when they're ready on an individual basis.
Eric Wedge
On Figgins: "He's going to have reps all over the outfield as well as at second and third."
On Montero: He'll catch, but "We're not going to throw him in the fire," Wedge said adding that Montero will "get every day at-bats."
Jesus Montero Speaks
Reflecting on a conversation with his father as an 11-year-old, watching Edgar Martinez: "I'm going to be like him one day, hitting the ball to right field."
Cornucopia of Links
- Here's an inside look at the Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson negotiations with the Angels. It's behind the ESPN Insider pay wall, but worth it.
- Larry Stone tackles all things Ichiro.
- Dave Cameron takes an extensive look at potential lineups.
- David Wade at THT checks-in with the AL West's off-season.
- Jason Parks at BP looks at the glass half empty possibilities for the M's in 2012 (article behind pay wall).
That's it for today. Check back in tomorrow morning for more goings on.
Follow Alex on Twitter: @AlexCarson
countdown-to-peoria:-15-days
Comments
The following 13 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: JonathanAicardi on 01-27-2012 14:27:29 Just a general prospect question for any of you guys in the know: Jonathan Arias, converted catcher, struck out 14.4/9 this year. Anyone know what kind of heat he's packing? What his probability of being a bullpen staple might be? Thanks. |
| 2. By: DUWORKSON on 01-27-2012 15:15:11 This upcoming season going to be one of the most important in franchise history moving foward. With so many compelling stories to the season it's going to be very exciting to watch! Just not at the major league level but the minor league level as well. Aside from Felix who's going to seperate himself from the pack and become the next Jr.?!?! Even if this team is not ready to compete for the divison. I don't think I've been more excited for season to begin in a long time! Let's playball, enjoy the summer and see you at center-field in the beer garden. |
| 3. By: Jason A. Churchill on 01-27-2012 16:08:09 JA, Arias has touched the mid-90s, but is generally 89-93. |
| 4. By: k0o56 on 01-27-2012 16:21:19 #2, I agree. There's an excitement around this team because I'm not expecting them to compete for a title - just let the kids prove themselves. It's a similar situation to last year, but there's a whole new slew of young talent this year. I'm just hoping for a healthy year to all of our guys so that they can build on this coming season for the seasons we DO compete. |
| 5. By: Edman on 01-27-2012 16:34:58 Evidently Eric Wedge just saw the $214 million paid out to Fielder. His eyes are about to pop out of his head....LOL. |
| 6. By: Hackinator on 01-27-2012 17:18:59 Well written piece, nice work. |
| 7. By: rotoenquire on 01-27-2012 20:40:29 IF everyone is healthy and all goes well. Could we maybe see by end of Spring Training a lineup like this? 2B Ackley RF Ichiro CF Guity C Montero 1B Smoak DH Carp LF Catricala 3B Seagar SS Ryan |
| 8. By: Jason A. Churchill on 01-27-2012 21:00:41 roto, Is Gutierrez 3rd in that lineup because you're trying to keep from asking Smoak and Montero from batting 3-4? I think Wells is more ready to help that Cat right now... |
| 9. By: masonb on 01-27-2012 21:31:19 I wish we could have avatars on this site, because if we did, that Eric Wedge pic would be mine. |
| 10. By: zrininger on 01-27-2012 22:27:00 What's the deal with Jorge Soler? Is he worth signing? could the mariners use some of the left over payroll to get him? Anyone have any thought? |
| 11. By: DUWORKSON on 01-27-2012 23:11:59 @Roto if we are talking about lineups keep a very close eye on Seager at Spring Training. There's usually one player that manages to catch everyone's eye and Seager could be that player. Call me crazy but the kid could play himself into the leadoff position. Seager has a very good feel at the plate and he knows how to work the count. Also I would like to see Wells in the lineup but I cant see that happening unless Montero figures how to catch. My lineup 3B-Seager RF-Ichiro 2B-Ackley DH-Montero 1B-Smoak LF-Carp CF-Guti C-Jaso SS-Ryan |
| 12. By: rotoenquire on 01-28-2012 01:07:56 @8 Jason :-)Smoak faltered if I remember right when he was jumped up the lineup. And Montero is a rookie, like to ease him into it. If Guity is Healthy and 100% he would be a better fit until Smoak and or Montero are ready. Or am I over thinking it? I like Wells a lot. But thinking if all goes 100% to what the M's hope and we all hope that would include Cat taking a leap. Odds are it will be Wells. I think Cat has more pop. Also given Cat's age he needs to jump start this thing now, he will be 24 this year. And has yet to be in the show. @10 the last time I went with a Soler was 2 years ago with the one kid with the Mets(said he could be a sleeper watch out) and he burned me...lol But I would rather take a chance on the 19 year old Soler than Cespedes something tells me he may not live up to the hype. Just a hunch no facts to support it. Maybe, hearing about Cespedes reminds me of B. Beane and he was a supposed 5 tool guy. Just watched the movie maybe that is tainting my judgement.. |
| 13. By: JonathanAicardi on 01-28-2012 09:25:54 Cool, thanks Jason. |
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