Prospect Insider - Countdown to Peoria: seven days

Countdown to Peoria: seven days

By Adam H. Wong

By 02-04-2012

Seven days. The horror film "The Ring" was released in 2002. Also in 2002, the Seattle Mariners won 93 games and missed the postseason. Barry Zito won the American League Cy Young Award. Vladimir Guerrero played for the Montreal Expos. Jarrod Washburn had an ERA- of 71 while playing for the Anaheim Angels, the 2002 World Series Champions. Seven Days.

The first base battle?
At the time of this writing, Justin Smoak is set to be the Mariners' everyday first baseman. "At the time of this writing" sounds so ominous. I swear I just jinxed something. Barring injury, Smoak is looking to have a sort of bounce back year. 2012 will definitely be a year for Smoak to show to the front office brass what he's made of, and earn himself a permanent job at first base.

Mike Carp figures to get into the mix, playing first base the days that Smoak either has off or is the DH.

Depending on how Jesus Montero fares behind the plate, he might make some appearances at first base as well, as long as they don't take away at bats from Smoak. Seattle will do everything they can to make sure both Smoak and Montero the most plate appearances as possible, and if they had to take at bats away from someone, it would be Carp.

On the depth chart, the Mariners have developing youngsters Rich Poythress and Dennis Raben to think about, but neither of them received spring training invitations this year.

The first baseman position is pretty much spoken for, so it's important to watch how Smoak handles himself around the clubhouse and on the field during spring training.

Around the league

Matt Garza and the Chicago Cubs avoided arbitration, as they agreed on a one-year, $9.5 million contract. Over the course of his five year career in the AL, he put up a 7.1 K/9 rate. Last year with Chicago, his first year in the National League, his strikeout rate increased to nine-per-nine. Under the premise that a win is worth $5 million in an open market, the Cubs made a good deal. Garza averaged 3 wins above replacement over the last three years, with a 5 WAR season capping off the 2011 campaign. The 28-year old is arbitration eligible again in 2013, and could become a free agent in 2014.

Another NL starter, Shaun Marcum, avoided arbitration, inking a one-year, $7.7 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was worth 2.7 WAR over the past three seasons. Sidebar: I hate his delivery, and I totally expect him to get injured this year. Although, he made me laugh aloud by doing this, so I guess that's something.

The Tampa Bay Rays and Jeff Niemann went through arbitration, and the Rays came out the victor, dealing out $2.75 million to the right-hander rather than $3.2 million he requested.

John Lannan also lost the decision in his arbitration hearing, but he should be accustomed to losing by now.

Links
- Brooks Baseball and The Hardball Times have created their own PITCHf/x database, and are looking for people to crosscheck their work. So far the charts look as good as the ones found at Texas Leaguers. Here is Felix Hernandez's player card.
- Mark Teixeira is growing up, and is now willing to lay down a bunt.
- Chipper Jones says that 2012 may not be his last season.
- FOX will host four Mariners games during the course of the 2012 season. You should have your radio prepared.

Seven days.

Adam H. Wong can be reached via email at wong@prospectinsider.com. Follow him on Twitter here.

countdown-to-peoria:-seven-days

Comments
The following 3 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: Marlin Man on 02-04-2012 13:52:00
Smoak is going to have a "bounce back year"-- hell he was never "established" enough- at any time- for this year to be considered a "bounce back" from anything. I for one think the kid has to put up or he will be looking for a job for aliving.

M.M.

2. By: rjfrik on 02-04-2012 14:54:51
he hasn't even had a full year in the pros. Let the kid have at least one full season before you start the talk of "put up or he will be looking for a job for a living"

I know it's hard to be patient being a M's fan. But in this case you have to.

3. By: rocketdawg31 on 02-04-2012 16:04:11

I would bet real money that a healthy Justin Smoak puts up numbers in 2012 that say "That's right. That's the primo offensive production that we traded for."

I also think it's going to START being a lot more fun being an M's fan this year. Let "Smontero" reign!

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