Prospect Insider - Countdown to Peoria: 19 days

Countdown to Peoria: 19 days

By Chris Crawford

By 01-23-2012

There are 19 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 12 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 17 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.

The M's first spring game is against the Oakland A's on March 2 in Phoenix, with their first home game the following day also against the A's.

Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp.

In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2012 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready.

Millwood signs?
According to a report from the Gaston Gazette --, the Mariners have signed Kevin Millwood to a contract for 2012. The 36-year old right-hander sent time with three organizations last year –- electing free agency over continuing to pitch in AAA with the Yankees and Red Sox -– before signing with Colorado in August. In nine starts, Millwood posted a 3.98 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched for the Rockies.

Millwood’s stuff has diminished considerably over the years, but the signing makes sense. It allows the younger arms like Danny Hultzen and James Paxton to start the year in the minors –- good for their development and good for their arbitration status later -– and Millwood should enjoy the friendly confines of Safeco Field. One thing to keep in mind is that he reportedly turned down a guaranteed $1 million dollar deal with Colorado, so it appears he took less money to sign with Seattle. With the rotation now likely set –- Hernandez, Iwukama, Vargas, Millwood, and Noesi -– this likely takes them out of the Jeff Francis talks, as well.

Sean Henn
One of the more interesting battles we’ll see over the month of March is who will be the second left-handed reliever in the bullpen, assuming George Sherill is the first option and Eric Wedge feels so inclined to carry two. One name that hasn’t gotten much talk this season is minor-league free agent Sean Henn, but don’t be surprised to see him up with the big league club at some point. Henn has been putrid in his major league efforts so far –- a career ERA of 7.56 with more walks than strikeouts over his 81 career innings pitched -– but he was very good in Las Vegas last year -– a very tough place to pitch -– and he has the type of arsenal that could make him an effective LOOGY. He’ll likely be competing against Charlie Furbush and rule-five draft pick Lucas Luetge, and because Furbush offers more versatility and Luetge would have to be on the major-league roster or offered back to Milwaukee, there’s a chance Henn would start the year in Tacoma. Don’t expect much, but he’s a name to watch for in Peoria and file for later.

More eats
This comes straight from Ryan Divish, of Tacoma News Tribune fame.

“Tilted Kilt is great for a chain. Dillon’s BBQ on Thunderbird Road is also very good, they passed the Kansas City Barbeque snob test. And any true fan has to make a pilgrimage to Don and Charlies’ in Scottsdale.” I wouldn’t trust Divish as far as I can throw him about most things, but when it comes to baseball, Husky talk, beer and food, the guy knows his stuff.

Alex Carson will bring the voodoo that he do tomorrow.

countdown-to-peoria:-19-days

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