Prospect Insider - Countdown to Peoria: 25 days

Countdown to Peoria: 25 days

By Alex Carson

By 01-17-2012

There are 25 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 11 - 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 2nd 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.

Off-Season Calendar

Here are some important dates to keep in mind as we roll towards spring training and the beginning of the season.

Jan. 15: Arbitration filing period end
Feb. 1-21: Arbitration hearings
Feb. 11: Pitchers and catchers report
Feb. 12: First workout for pitchers and catchers
Feb. 17: Position players report
Feb. 18: First full-squad workout
March 2: Mandatory spring training report day
March 2: Spring games begin
March 28-29: Mariners @ A's opener in Tokyo, Japan
April 4: Rosters to 25

Arbitration
The Mariners have three players that could head to arbitration. Shawn Kelley is up for the first time, Jason Vargas makes his second trip and Brandon League is eligible for a fourth time as a super-two.

Update: Sources are indicating Brandon League has agreed to a one-year $5 million contract and Jason Vargas has inked a one-year $4.85 million deal.

David Aardsma and Luis Rodriguez would have both been up for their third arbitration case, but the club non-tendered them both earlier in the off-season. Rodriguez has since re-signed and Aardsma is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery as a free agent.

Pitchers and Catchers (and Montero)
Recently acquired Jesus Montero will surely report with the other catchers. We'll get our first chance to speculate what the club intendeds to do with him as the first few days of spring training pass. I doubt they're going to give up on him behind the plate quickly, but expect lots of focus on his duties standing rather than squatting at the dish.

Fanfest
If Fanfest is your cup of tea, there's an interesting lineup of players scheduled to appear.

Aside from current big leaguers slated to appear, farm hands Vinnie Catricala and the this-is-why-the-club-could-trade-Pineda trio of Danny Hultzen, James Paxton and Taijuan Walker will be there.

Speaking of Pineda, he's still listed as attending on the team's website, but I wouldn't buy tickets if he's your draw. I may go and just hang out around GM Jack Zduriencik to see what sort of questions he gets about the trade.

Other Happenings
The Phillies have reportedly signed Joel Pineiro to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. This is good news because the Phillies are not the Mariners.

The Rockies finally moved Seth Smith after he was rumored to be on the trading block all winter. The Oakland Athletics acquired Smith for RHP Guillermo Moscoso and LHP Josh Outman. The move came a day after the Rockies avoided arbitration with Smith, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $2.4 million.

Check back in tomorrow for Adam H. Wong's take on the day's happenings.

countdown-to-peoria:-25-days

Comments
The following 6 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: sexymarinersfan on 01-17-2012 09:12:48
Glad that the Seth Smith rumors are finally over.ets get this party started. Any chance that Montero ends up going to Fanfest? That would be AWESOME!!!

2. By: maqman on 01-17-2012 13:55:14
I agree Montero would be a big draw at the Fanfest. Maybe he could take batting practice and we could see how many people wet their pants.

3. By: titans12 on 01-17-2012 17:05:52
How about mark Teahen he just got released.

4. By: aerichner on 01-17-2012 17:39:07
Im all for finding an upgrade at 3B but if it's Mark Teahen or Kyle Seager Id go with Seager, hands down, easy decision.

This is Teahen's career slash line .264/.327/.409 - you dont think Seager gives you that or better for less money??

5. By: Edman on 01-17-2012 19:59:33
I'd bring Teahen in on a minor league deal, with a major league invite with incentives. But I think he'll get a major league contract from someone.

6. By: dewey on 01-17-2012 21:20:22
If Teahen made our club we only have to pay the minimum Toronto is on the hook for the rest.Also i was thinking today what if our rotation was Felix,Pineda,Morrow and Fister,Vargas? I kind of like that but i really like the Montero deal.I wonder what they have planned for Montero how many will he catch,1b and DH im guessing they try and get him 550-600 at bats.

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