Prospect Insider - The first week of spring

The first week of spring

By Chris Crawford

By 02-15-2011

PLEASE click here to help Cole.

There's nothing quite like the first week of spring-training. After three long months of off-season talk -- and in the case of the Seattle off-season, talk is where it started and stopped --we can finally turn on the local news and see the boys of summer playing catch, throwing off the mound or taking batting practice.

Everyone is in the "best shape of their life" or "tweaked their delivery/changed their swing after watching hours of tape." The new managers are all surprised by how much talent is on their new club, and even if you're a Royal or Pirate fan, something deep down in the gut of your stomach is saying that this is the year. So and so and what's his face are going to have the best seasons of their careers and the breaks are finally going to go the squads way and the smells of nostalgia and optimism fill your man-cave.

Reality be damned.

Let's take a look at some of the more interesting things that have happened over the first few days in Peoria.

Griffey hired as consultant
In a move that surprised absolutely no one, the M's named Ken Griffey, Jr. as a special consultant to the club. There's no real defined role for what Griffey's job entails, but it appears that he'll be working with the farm system and helping in Peoria as well.

This is obviously a public relations move and a half, but that doesn't mean Griffey can't help. He's not far removed from the major-leagues (no jokes about not playing like a major-leaguer), he's felt the pressures of being a top prospect, and having one of the top ten or so baseball players ever to play the game associated with your club is not a terrible thing, either.

Bedard and the bullpen sessions
In a spring where there's a left field battle, an unsettled bullpen and a "battle" for both middle infield positions, Erik Bedard's situation could be the most interesting one in camp. Obviously, the left-hander isn't going 100 percent -- no one in camp is and no one should be -- but just how quickly Bedard is ready to start "ripping it", as Josh Bard put it, will be interesting to see. The Mariners have put in a lot of work in rehabilitating Bedard. We'll soon see if it was worth it.

Felix has a new haircut
I'm not sure what to make of Felix Hernandez new haircut, but I'm leaning towards indifference. No, I'm definitely indifferent. Is it April yet?

the-first-week-of-spring-

Comments
The following 11 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: Lonnie on 02-16-2011 01:19:28
Today, nothing is out of the question. Today, the Mariners are contenders.

Kinda...

Lonnie

2. By: kevin_ess on 02-16-2011 01:45:46
Let's turn tomorrow off, Lonnie!

3. By: Adam B. on 02-16-2011 12:44:00
Felix really shouldn't be sleeping around people who would do things like to him.

As for Bedard, considering that he could be worth two wins for even just 80IP, the M's have to hope they can squeeze something out of him this year. So far the stars seem to be agreeable. *Knocks on wood*

4. By: maqman on 02-16-2011 13:34:46
Hey right now we are tied for the lead in the AL West and the AL Wild Card race. What's not to like? I can dream of Bedard just beating out Felix for the Cy Young, Saunders jacking 40 dingers and Smoak knocking in 130 RBIs. After a couple beers I might even see Figgins beat out Beltre for 3B starter at the All Star Game. On second thought that would take at least a half-rack.

5. By: PositivePaul on 02-16-2011 13:43:32
Best quote currently circulating Twitter courtesy of Danny O'Neill:

"Does the hiring of Ken Griffey Jr. to #Mariners front office improve their chances of being a sleeper in the AFC West?"

(He means AL West, but we'll forgive the Seahawks guy...)

6. By: Rick Randall on 02-16-2011 14:46:56
I'm digging Felix's "Fe-Hawk" and the attitude he is sporting with it.

7. By: bunvt on 02-16-2011 14:58:30
Well, now that Felix has hit a new career milestone with the Cy Young award, We can call it Felix's new crown.

8. By: kevin_ess on 02-16-2011 21:44:13
I do like the influx of big beefy players coming up from the minors. While I'm not sure it makes a ton of difference, fielding a team of beasts sounds fun.

9. By: Jason A. Churchill on 02-16-2011 21:47:49
TWSS?

Anyone?

No?

10. By: kevin_ess on 02-16-2011 22:50:59
Damn you, Jason. I actually had to look TWSS up, which makes me an even bigger ass!

11. By: mazono on 02-17-2011 04:37:53
JAC- I donated to this great cause... Just was wondering if you got the email I sent ya?

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