Prospect Insider - Countdown to Peoria: nine days

Countdown to Peoria: nine days

By Chris Crawford

By 02-02-2012

Jason Churchill's top 15 young -power bats

The back-up middle infield battle
Second base and shortstop are both set as far as starters go, but one of the more interesting battles will be who wins the job to be their respected backups. I wouldn’t expect Ackley to get many days off, seeing as how he’s already the team’s best offensive player, but since Ryan is a subpar offensive player – putting it nicely – the utility infielder will see some playing time this year.

The two early favorites are Louis Rodriguez and Munenori Kawasaki. Rodriguez played sparingly in 2011 and didn’t do much, although he has shown a propensity to walk here and there and won’t kill you with the glove. The Mariners non-tendered the switch-hitting infielder but resigned him a couple of days later to a minor-league deal, and you’d have to think he would report back to Tacoma should he not make the initial 25-man roster.

Kawasaki comes over from Japan after spending five years in the Japanese Pacific League, where he hit for some high batting averages and impressive stolen base totals, but without much power and he didn’t walk much (career high of 47). Kawasaki can apparently pick it at short -- and while it doesn’t always work out this way -– he should have no issues filling in at second or third base in a pinch as well.

I would give the edge to Kawasaki right now for a few reasons. The first being that while he’s signed to a minor-league contract, I would imagine that he’s not going to want to report to Triple-A. He’s also the better defensive option at short-stop, and on a team that has Justin Smoak and Miguel Olivo “running” the bases –- no jokes about Olivo getting on base -– he’s the better pinch-runner option as well. I wouldn’t expect -– or hope –- that either player gets much playing time, but it’s one of the battles to watch for in Peoria, to be sure.

Required reading
Beat writer extraordinaire/probable Tosh Lupoi hater Larry stone talks about how power hitters like Jesus Montero are becoming more and more valuable.

Tacoma Rainier play by play man/confirmed Tosh Lupoi hater Mike Curto introduces us to the catching candidates in Tacoma this year. I think we can all agree that not seeing Jose Yepez in Mariner camp is a travesty. Not Mumba Rivera levels, but close.

Speaking of power hitters, Matt Klaasen of fangraphs examines whether or not sluggers should ever bunt, with some interesting statistical data. My personal opinion is that every time someone who isn't a pitcher bunts an angel falls from heaven.

MLB-DI Executive Editor/Tosh Lupoi enthusiast Chris Crawford graded the 2006 AL-West drafts. Pretty good group, especially compared to some of the other -- well -- not so good ones in the National League.

Finally, ever wondered what it's like for a club to move down to Peoria? Voice of the Mariners gives an inside look of what that process looks like. I'm exhausted just thinking about packing for Arizona, so I do not envy these folks in the slightest.

Fun for the whole family
If you're bringing your significant other on the trip -- and if the kids can't stomach another baseball statistic or listen to you talk about Dustin Ackley anymore -- there's a few good options in the city. If you like a good steak and wine, check out Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. If you want to enjoy some music or go dancing, Skye Restaurant has comedy, dancing, and live bands -- and some pretty good food, as well. And if the kids want to do something other than watch baseball (perish the thought), Castles N Coasters is a fairly short drive away and has some of the best mini-golf you could find. It's not Vegas or anything like that, but you can definitely find some things to do that will keep the family from moving to another country.
Alex Carson is up next. Thanks for tuning in.

countdown-to-peoria:-nine-days

Comments
The following 8 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: rjfrik on 02-02-2012 15:22:13
Sign me up as a Tosh Lupoi hater as well. What a sell out. But I hear he is one hell of a snake oil salesman!!

2. By: everettdude on 02-02-2012 16:18:29
At first I wasn't "getting" the "Tosh Lupoi hater" comments in regards to Larry Stone and Mike Curto, then it dawned on me. The Berkeley Twins!

3. By: Edman on 02-02-2012 19:07:48
Thankfully, this is a refreshing place to come. I was over at USSM, and the paranoia is rampant. From "if they lower payroll, it many never go back up" to "Jack is not good at signing top dollar Free Agents."

Now Geoff Baker is off leading the "they should spend the money they were going to spend on Fielder." For him, it's a matter of proving they'll spend money. Does that provide some comfort that owners aren't walking away with a pocket full of money?

There were some comments about Jack's comments that he has some flexibility with the budget. Do people not get that with payroll more controlable, and not wasting money on high priced Free Agents, he's in a position to take on money in a deal for a good player who's a salary dump?

There are many things you can do, if you have payroll flexibility. With talent in the minor league system, there are things that can be done, but they won't likely happen until mid-season.

Our society requires immediate gratification, or things are deemed a failure. There must be a mass hysteria virus going around the internet.

4. By: Wes45 on 02-02-2012 19:38:12
I agree that we shouldn't spend money just to spend it. As an analogy, I wouldn't buy a house or car I don't really like just because I have discretionary income. I'd rather Jack use that payroll flexibility on something he really wants/needs. However, I'm not sure the good player salary dump scenario plays in baseball. It does in basketball but I'm not recalling many, if any, instance in baseball. The salary dumps seem primary the Figgins, Zambrano, Soriano variety. Rather, I'm hoping that Jack spends that extra next year on positions we need much more than girthy, poor fielding, poor running first basemen.

5. By: Gilligan on 02-02-2012 21:38:59
Mariners decided before JZ came to go a different route.. Knowing they couldnt keep paying to win, to keep up with the yankees and boston . and realizing instead of tradeing off prospects for major league talent. they decided to start developing them. when seattle has a good base of young cost controlled talent they start spending. until then they will stick to the plan.!!!!
this way they will be able to sustain winning.. I would rather be a contender 10 years then just a shot at it one year. or that is the plan. besides payroll they are dropping a ton of money in foriegn free agents and minor league signings. this doesnt show up on the payroll. dropping 200 million on one player would of been retarded!! after this plan has been in place for 3 years. give it time when they are close they will open their wallets at the major league level. They do have them open noew , but you dont see them doing it below the major league level. How do I know this ? because this is how I would do it. It would be my plan.

6. By: Gilligan on 02-02-2012 21:43:02
Oh and geoff baker is an idiot . anyonr that cant see Edgar a first ballet HOF dont know baseball.

7. By: rotoenquire on 02-02-2012 23:50:31
@6 actually you talk to anyone with a vote say he may not get in because of his lack of time spent on the field. I hope he does get in, BUT I have heard enough interviews to know that opinion is prevalent.

@3 From everything I have heard there was never any money to spend on Fielder. All the chatter was created by reporters and fans like us. The M's have reduced there payroll and intended to do it all along. According to Mr. Stone there sitting at about 84 Mill and there self imposed budget is about 85 Mill. He was on KJR or ESPN the other day..

8. By: Edman on 02-03-2012 08:22:24
It would be an absolute tragedy if Edgar didn't make it into the Hall of Fame. How can you have the man who's name is on the trophy for the games best Designated Hitter in the game, not be in the Hall of Fame?

If he's the best example of a Designated Hitter, then he needs to be in the Hall of Fame. It would be like excluding relief pitchers, because they don't have the workload of a starting pitcher.

Baseball created the DH, they have to own up to it being a real position. If not, eliminate it. But don't use the fact that he didn't field a position as an excuse. The Hall of Fame should have the very best examples of EACH position written down on a line-up card.

And #6......No words have ever been more true, Geoff Baker is an idiot, little buddy (Gilligan reference). He can't totally be blamed, however. He was crossing the Freemont bridge, and there was a troll underneath it. He he decided to talk to it. After a couple of hours, his mind had been changed. As he left, he asked, "What's your name, good troll?" The troll replied, "I use to have your job, son. My name is Art Thiel." Sadly, Geoff was overtaken by the evil troll's spell.

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