Admittedly, I’m a bit out of the loop when it comes to going to a baseball game as an average fan. Truth be told, I think I went to three games last year in a non-working capacity where I sat in the stands and watched the game like most of you. The year before that it was maybe four or five.

And all of those occasions, I never paid for nice seats. My buddies (who buy a block every year) either had them, or else I would pay for the $6 general admission seats and then usually hang out in the centerfield beer garden.

So when it comes to the game experience, I’m admittedly unfamiliar with what the average costs are for fans to go to the game. Other than the $8 for a Miller Lite, I’m pretty much out of the loop. Tickets? Parking? I have a rough idea, but not completely. I’m pretty sure it’s kind of expensive.

What is the purpose or reference for these three paragraphs of blatherings that will most likely you resent me? Well, the Associated Press recently polled a group of baseball fans about the game and certain aspects of it. Here’s the story on it.

Here's the full poll and results.

The results are semi-interesting, though not surprising.

The lead of the story is that the soaring costs of going to a game – tickets, parking, concessions – is what a large portion of the fans polled believed is the biggest problem facing Major League Baseball. Officially 45 percent of the fans polled said that was the biggest problem, with 29 percent saying it was players’ salary, 19 percent thinking it was steroids and 6 percent saying the length of games.

In the last AP poll conducted in 2006 – it was players’ increasing salaries. The same in 2005, but now it’s the cost of games.

Look everybody knows the economy is in shambles. And baseball is an entertainment expense. At some point, people will be priced out of it. Many people I have spoken with have already been priced out. For many families, going to games isn’t a weekly occasion or monthly occasion, but a once or twice in a season occasion. It’s simply too expensive.

It was apparent in spring training

Just think if you were trying to go to a game at the new Yankee Stadium.

If you remember last season, the Mariners had 7 of the 10 smallest crowds in Safeco first 17 games. Of course, it was freezing for those games. But the attendance was significantly down last season. Will it continue this year?

Drawing more fans does matter to the Mariners, or Ken Griffey Jr. wouldn’t have a $3 million attendance-based incentive in his contract.

But let’s get back to the poll other, you’ll notice some other results from the poll in this graphic. People want to see the other names on the infamous A-Rod list, and most don’t think any steroid user should be in the Hall of Fame.

I’ll be the first to admit that polls are far from perfect. But it doesn’t hurt to look at the results because some truths can be found. What are your thoughts? Are you surprised at the results? How about a better idea, here’s the poll below, feel free to answer it. I’d be interested to see your answers or your thoughts on some of the things asked.

Poll below

=> Read more!

TODAY
Rookie Chris Jakubauskas continued his feel-good spring with five solid innings, Russell Branyan homered twice and Ronny Cedeno hit a grand slam as Seattle beat Cleveland, 12-4.
WEDNESDAY
Seattle hosts Cleveland in a 1:05 p.m. game that will be broadcast on KIRO. Probable starting pitchers: Cliff Lee vs. Felix Hernandez.NOTABLE
Jakubauskas, the non-roster invitee who spent years pitching in the Independent leagues, made another marvelous start and has made his case to make the team. In 16 2/3 innings, he’s fashioned a 2.08 earned run average, struck out seven and not issued a walk. “My whole goal was to come in here and show I can pitch at the highest level and make their decision tough,” Jakubauskas said. “I think I have done that. It has been a good spring and it would be tremendous if I could break with the team. If not, I will go to Tacoma and hope I can do the same thing at Tacoma and come back here quick.” …
Brandon Morrow worked the ninth inning and gave up a solo home run …
It sounds like a tabloid headline: “Ichiro Suzuki banned from camp”, but that’s what happened. Ichiro left Monday’s game after two at-bats, feeling a bit light-headed. He told manager Don Wakamatsu he was feeling run down. “I told him not to come in today. And he may get the day off (today) too. We'll see how he feels,” Wakamatsu said. The Mariners theory is that Ichiro’s play and travel with the Japanese World Baseball Classic wore him down. What about teammate Kenji Johjima? “Kenji’s a catcher,” said Wakamatsu, a former catcher. “He’s fine.” …
First baseman Branyan’s two homers gave him seven for the spring, matching the team’s spring lead with outfielder Mike Wilson. Those seven home ties the team record, a record shared by Ken Griffey Jr. (1994) and Jay Buhner, who did it twice (1998, 2000). “I’ve shown them what I can do,” Wilson said. “I guess that’s all you can hope for in spring training.” … Add Branyan: Given the chance to win a starting job for he first time in his career, the 33-year-old journeyman has shown he can play first base. He’ll get the chance to play against righties and lefties, although against tough left-handed pitchers the team might use Mike Sweeney at first. …
Lefty Tyler Johnson will continue his seemingly endless series of bullpen sessions with, yes, another bullpen session today. The team has no timetable for his being ready, but the Mainers have known since February that he wouldn’t start the season with Seattle. …
From the leadoff spot, Endy Chavez went 3-for-4, stole a base and pushed his batting average to .448. Wladimir Balentien, playing right field, also had three hits – and he’s probably cemented a spot on the 25-man roster. …
Good Day to Be A Minor Leaguer: pitchers Erik Bedard and Brandon Morrow will pitch in minor league games today to get their work – Felix Hernandez and others will get the innings in the Mainers-Indians game. And to give Miguel Batista a chance to stretch an appearance, he pitched 2 2/3 innings in a minor league game Tuesday. He allowed a run on one hit and two walks. Pitching coach Rick Adair was on hand for Batista’s outing, and will be there with Bedard and Morrow today. …
QUOTABLE
From Ken Griffey Jr., who met the always-thin Brandon Morrow coming out of the team meal room: “Damn! All this free food and you’re still skinny. Eat something!”

Yes, really.

A day after a light-headed Ichiro Suzuki left the Mariners game after two at-bats, complaining he was light-headed, Ichiro was ordered not to come to camp.

"He said he was just feeling run down," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "So I told him not to come in today. And he may get the day off tomorrow, too. We'll see how he feels."

Ichiro has played in the World Baseball Classic this spring, traveling around the world - starting in Japan - and the Mariners suspect he's simply exhausted.

Given that, and the fact that Ichiro is always in shape and prepared to play, there was no sense of urgency to get him back on the field over the next few days.

What about Ichiro's WBC and Mariners teammate, Kenji Johjima?

"He's a catcher," said Wakamatus, a former catcher himself. "He's fine."

Every spring, teams sigh and make room for one player or another on their roster because of his salary, not his ability.

Fans get used to the notioin that, say, Carlos Silva or Miguel Batista are owed so much money there's no chance the team will ax them and start with fresh faces.

And then, there's the Detroit Tigers.

They've cut Gary Sheffield, a man with 499 home runs - and a $14 million deal this season.

The Tigers thought so little of Sheffield they didn't want him on their roster despite that huge contract - and they literally asked 29 other teams to take him for just part of the money.

No, thanks.

Now, Sheffield will likely be picked up somewhere and paid very little to hit a few home runs and bat in the middle of the order for a bad team.

His career has been marked with nearly as many confrontations as homers, and now even the I-can-work-with-anyone manager Jim Leyland has thrown up his hands.

Go with God, Gary - oh, and take $14 million with you.

Every fan of a team with a disastrous contract and an underachieving player just cheered.

TODAY
The Seattle bullpen – pitchers Jesus Delgado, Mark Lowe and Randy Messenger – allowed seven runs over the final three innings, turning a pitching duel into an ugly loss to Milwaukee, 9-7.
TODAY
Seattle plays at Cleveland in a 1:05 p.m. game that will be broadcast by KIRO. Probable starting pitchers: Chris Jabukauskas vs. Scott Lewis.
NOTABLE
Non-roster outfielder Mike Wilson wanted nothing more than to show the Mariners he had power and could drive in runs this spring. After hitting his sixth home run of the spring in the fifth inning – then No. 7 with two outs in the ninth to tie the game - Wilson leads Seattle in home runs and RBI (17). …
Ryan Rowland-Smith, the No. 5 starter in Seattle’s rotation, threw six innings and allowed two runs – on a fifth-inning home run by Prince Fielder. It was his strongest game of the spring, and followed a series of three games in which Seattle starters Erik Bedard, Felix Hernandez and Carlos Silva were shelled. Rowland-Smith began the game 2-for-2 at the plate this spring, drew a walk and struck out in two plate appearances. …
Manager Don Wakamatsu and pitching coach Rick Adair took all 19 pitchers left in camp to the bullpen not to pitch but to listen. “A lot of it had to do with their bullpen routines, signs, communication with catchers - how critical that stuff is,” Wakamatsu said. …
Shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt is taking daily bunting drills on a half field in camp, and is spending more and more time bunting for hits, not just sacrifice bunts. The theory is that the occasional bunt for a hit would open up defensive holes by forcing the infield corners to play in for Betancourt. Will he try it in a game? Not even the Mariners know that. …
Reliever Roy Corcoran talked about accountability after a couple of sub-par appearances, saying there was no excuse he could use. “I don’t care when they say you’re just working on things. It’s not like that,” Corcoran said. “I can’t go home and think that because it makes me feel weaker as a person, like I can get away with doing it. I can’t. Jack (Zduriencik) expressed that early in camp - your performance is going to dictate what happens, and there is a sense of urgency. I want to pitch well. But I haven’t. I will.” Coming off a year in which he had a 3.22 earned run average in 50 games, Corcoran has battled arm problems this spring – when hitters have batted .357 against him and his ERA has ballooned to 12.79. Still, it’s a small spring sample. Corcoran has pitched only 6 1/3 innings. …
Ichiro Suzuki batted third against the Brewers, and went 1-for-2. Of his 1,264 major league starts, only 13 have been in a spot other than leading off. Neither the team nor the player made much of it. …
Ken Griffey Jr. was smiling more broadly than usual, and with reason. Wife Melissa and the kids haver rejoined him briefly during spring break. “After this, I’ll probably see them three times the rest of the season,” Griffey said. “It’s gonna be tough.” …
How’s catcher Kenji Johjima doing since his return from the World Baseball Classic. Even in a 17-12 loss, Johjima earned praise from his manager. “Joh did a phenomenal job with (Jarrod) Washburn and made adjustments as the game went on and had four really clean innings,” Wakamatsu said. “What's impressed me is Kenji went out of his way to go over and talk to the pitchers during the game, to work with them.” …
After battling high blood sugars all day Sunday – he was up in the high 300s – diabetic Brandon Morrow suspected he had a problem with his insulin pump. He reseated it on his abdomen, got it going again and soon dropped to 98. “I feel a whole lot better today,” Morrow said. He didn’t miss work either day. …
QUOTABLE
From Corcoran, on watching other relievers pitch well while he’s struggled: “It’s something I shouldn’t worry about right now, but it’s hard not to worry about it. You’ve got guys throwing the crap out of the ball.”

Just a heads up, I'm going to go on the Ian Furness show on 950 KJR-AM about 1:50. They'll be doing a roundtable discussion about the M's at 1:20 before that. Also Brandon Morrow is going on with Groz and Gas at 5:20.

Here's the podcast of me on the radio. No making fun of me.

Here's the Brandon Morrow interview with Mike Gastineau.

Well, it was an interesting day and the Mariners have moved a little closer to the 25 players they’ll be taking with them to Minneapolis for opening day against the Twins.

A few things on the moves …

• I’m holding out judgment on the Brandon Morrow decision to go to closer. Initially, my thought it was a colossal waste of a top pick and categorical screw-up from the very start by the previous regime starting with former GM Bill Bavasi and former manager Mike Hargrove. Look I have nothing against drafting Morrow, his potential seemed limitless. Sure he’s not Tim Lincecum, but really he could have been and should have been more than he is now - a guy choosing to go back to closer after lobbying to start from the moment he was drafted. The wishy-washy way in which Bavasi and Hargrove handled Morrow’s progress – first allowing Hargrove to even put him in the bullpen that first year – is a reason why the Mariners are sitting at this juncture. If he was drafted as a starter, then that’s what he should have been from the very beginning. No matter what he did in his first spring training. I understand Morrow's desire to go back. But if he'd been a starter from the beginning I doubt he would be looking to do this.

Ask yourself this question: If the Mariners knew that Morrow would be a closer not a starter for his career, would they have taken him before Lincecum?

I guess if you're looking for a bright spot in it, Wakamatsu isn't forced to choose from Miguel Batista or David Aardsma or Make Lowe as closer.

• The situation with Jeff Clement going back to Tacoma isn’t surprising. We mentioned a few times that he was playing his way into forcing Wakamatsu to make this decision. The problem is Clement will go and dominate Triple A pitching, and the Mariners will not be any closer to knowing if he’s a legitimate major league hitter. And if Rob Johnson is the back-up catcher, how much does he play? Will it be like what Jamie Burke had to do two years ago, start about once every seven days? Realistically, that that will stunt the considerable progress Johnson has made in the last two years. And then there is the question of Burke. They certainly don’t need three catchers on the roster now, to they? They could use Johnson as a pinch runner and other things, but three catchers seems excessive especially when one of them isn’t getting significant at-bats at DH. Also what does this do for Adam Moore’s progress? Catching coordinator Roger Hansen talked about the need for Moore to be challenged in Triple A this season, if he goes back to AA it won’t happen.

• Tyler Walker was a casualty of his own inability to stay healthy. He seemed pretty sure that he would make the team, but you don’t make a team if you don’t pitch well, or in his case, don’t pitch at all.

• Chris Burke will go to Triple A Tacoma. He has never proven to be a legitimate hitter in the big leagues, but the Mariners have kept similar non-hitting utility men around before.

Ok, now let’s get to the good part....
At the bottom of this post is a list of the remaining players in major league camp. The task for GM Jack Zduriencik and manager Don Wakamatsu is to cut it down to 25 players, that feature the right mixture of everything: starters, bench players, pitchers, relievers and now a closer. Sound easy, it isn’t. Remember you also have to take into account contracts, meaning Carlos Silva and Kenji Johjima make the team because the Mariners are paying them AIG bonus-type money for their services. Don’t forget about injuries or spring training performance.

So give it a try, build your 25-man roster. Think about your lineups, your rotation, your bench, your bullpen, and them post them in the comments section. I’ll do the same.

Here's my personal 25-man roster ...

Projected lineup
RF Ichiro
CF Franklin Gutierrez
DH Ken Griffey Jr.
3B Adrian Beltre
1B Russell Branyan
2B Jose Lopez
C Kenji Johjima
LF Endy Chavez
SS Yuniesky Betancourt

* Notes: Obviously there will be platooning with Balentien and Sweeney replacing Branyan and Chavez when the M's face tough left-handed pitchers. I honestly have no idea how much they will play Griffey in the outfield, which is why I didn't put together lineups vs. lefties and righties.

Bench
IF Ronny Cedeno
IF/DH Mike Sweeney
OF Wlad Balentien
C Rob Johnson

* Notes: Sweeney’s hot bat of late and his overall clubhouse presence will force Chris Shelton to Triple A Tacoma. Mike Morse is gone. He’s out of Triple A options and probably won’t clear waivers. The M’s will lose Corona because he’s a Rule V guy unless they make a trade for him. But signing Chris Burke and keeping Chris Woodward might make him an afterthought. If Johjima is going to play often, sitting Johnson on the bench is worthless as I mentioned above. Jamie Burke could do that. Which would leave Johnson, Clement and Adam Moore in the minors. They need to trade somebody. But Burke may want a chance to look around and hook on with another team and ask for his unconditional release.

Rotation
RHP Felix Hernandez
LHP Erik Bedard
RHP Carlos Silva
LHP Jarrod Washburn
LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith

* Notes: I don’t like having Silva at the three, but Washburn prefers not to pitch the game after a left-hander. Rowland-Smith isn’t bothered by matters like that.

Bullpen
RHP Chris Jakubauskas (long reliever)
RHP David Aardsma
RHP Roy Corcoran
RHP Mark Lowe
RHP Shawn Kelley
RHP Brandon Morrow (closer)
LHP Cesar Jimenez

* Notes: Tyler Johnson would be my situational lefty instead of Jimenez, who actually isn’t very good against lefties. But Jimenez is pretty versatile and showed he can pitch multiple innings. Kelley was the most consistent pitcher in the spring. I take Jakubauskas over Miguel Batista just because of personal preference. Batista has been bad this spring and seems displeased with his overall role. Eat the 9 million and go with a youngster. Even lefty Garrett Olson might be better in the long relief role. But my gut says they’ll keep Batista and I’ll be banging my head off the table in the press box about three times a week.

REMAINING PLAYERS in CAMP
Pitchers
45 Bedard, Erik LHP
31 Feierabend, Ryan^^ LHP
37 Jimenez, Cesar LHP
58 Johnson, Tyler* LHP
54 Lugo, Jose LHP
49 Olson, Garrett LHP
18 Rowland-Smith, Ryan LHP
56 Washburn, Jarrod LHP

53 Aardsma, David RHP
43 Batista, Miguel RHP
48 Corcoran, Roy RHP
33 Cordero, Chad* RHP
67 Delgado, Jesus RHP
34 Hernandez, Felix RHP
71 Jakubauskas, Chris* RHP
66 Kelley, Shawn* RHP
57 Lowe, Mark RHP
26 Messenger, Randy* RHP
35 Morrow, Brandon RHP
52 Silva, Carlos RHP

Catchers
15 Burke, Jamie* C
2 Johjima, Kenji C
32 Johnson, Rob C

Infielders
29 Beltre, Adrian INF
7 Betancourt, Yuniesky INF
30 Branyan, Russell INF
3 Cedeno, Ronny INF
1 Corona, Reegie INF
4 Lopez, Jose INF
13 Shelton, Chris* INF
5 Sweeney, Mike* INF
6 Woodward, Chris* INF
0 Chris Burke INF/OF

Outfielders
25 Balentien, Wladimir OF
10 Chavez, Endy OF
24 Griffey Jr., Ken OF
21 Gutierrez, Franklin OF
12 Morse, Mike OF
51 Suzuki, Ichiro OF
61 Wilson, Mike* OF

* non-roster invitee
^^ 60-Day DL

SUNDAY
Seattle came back from a 7-0 deficit to take the lead, then watched its bullpen implode in what became a 17-12 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
MONDAY
Seattle plays Milwuakee in Maryvale in a 1:05 p.m. game that will be broadcast on KIRO. Probable starting pitchers: Ryan Rowland-Smith vs. Manny Parra.
NOTABLE
Starter Jarrod Washburn followed a terrible game by Carlos Silva, but threw 80 pitches over his six innings, and after allowing seven runs in the first two, shut Kansas City out over the next four. Not pretty, but gritty. Washburn leads the staff with 25 innings pitched this spring, but has allowed 41 hits and walked six. That’s a lot of base runners. “I was proud of the way he adjusted after the first two innings,” manager Don Wakamatsu said. “I wouldn’t have thought we’d lose two games with the (21) runs we’ve scored the last two days.” …
Roster moves galore: catcher Jeff Clement was optioned to Tacoma, right-handed pitcher Tyler Walker and his $500,000 base salary was released and the team sent cash to San Diego in exchange for utility player Chris Burke Say what? Clement simply didn’t play well enough to hold what appeared to be his job backing up Kenji Johjima. Walker couldn’t stay healthy enough to pitch, and rookies Shawn Kelley and Chris Jakubauskas climbed past him on the depth chart. And Burke? The 29-year-old Willie Bloomquist clone played five positions for the Padres while batting .194. He’ll likely start the year with Tacoma but, two hours after the deal, Burke was playing center field. …
Tough day for Seattle pitching. After Washburn allowed seven runs, David Aardsma gave up five runs in 2/3 of an inning and Roy Corcoran gave up four runs without getting an out. …
Adrian Beltre is like most camp veterans. He knows his body is ready for the season, and he knows, too, there is another week of meaningless games o play before he gets there. “Physically, I’m ready,” he said. “The last week, the last few games, you try to get to the mental state you want to be in for the season. It’s not like you flip a switch, but it is the last thing to fall into place. Preparing for one last week is tough, but it helps get you there.” …
Mike Sweeney continues his torrid hitting and added three more hits against the Royals. He’s now batting .421 with nine RBI in 12 games. …Work that scorecard! The Royals and Mariners sent a combined 22 batters to the plate in the second inning. Kansas City scored five times, Seattle eight. …
Ken Griffey Jr. has now hit in six consecutive spring games. “He’s been a pleasant surprise,” batting coach Alan Cockrell said. “He’s a player. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but he’s a player.” …
Scare of the Day: Ichiro came running out of the dugout before the game and a loose piece of Astro turf nearly killed him. Ichiro hit the step, the turf flew and he nearly took a header. Outfield coach Lee Tinsley, standing close by, grabbed his chest and staggered away. …
Yunieskey Betancourt has played in 13 Cactus League games, getting a late start because of a strained hamstring, but has hit safely in each of them. He hasn’t drawn a walk yet, and has struck out only once.
QUOTABLE
From Tyler Walker, released after pitching 5 2/3 innings this spring: “I’m shocked. I’m just stunned. I also have to figure out how to get out of the lease I signed for a place in Kirkland.”

On a day when plenty of things are going on around Peoria, general manager Jack Zduriencik added another move to the fray, acquiring utility infielder/outfielder Chris Burke from the San Diego Padres for future cash considerations.

"As we continue to build depth in our organization, we thought Chris was a nice fit as insurance at a number of positions on our big league club," Zduriencik said.

Burke was a non-roster invitee with the Padres and will join the Mariners major League spring training camp also as a non-roster invitee.

Not sure how this all works for the remaining guys in camp like Reegie Corona, a Rule V guy, who either the Mariners will have to make a trade for to keep if he isn't on the 25-man roster. Also, it's another guy that probably moves ahead of Mike Morse as well. But because he was signed to a minor league deal, Burke can be optioned to Triple A Tacoma.

Burke, 29, has started a game in the big leagues at every position except pitcher and catcher. He spent the 2008 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and saw action at six different positions, including all four infield spots. He played five different positions with the Astros in 2007.

In all, Burke has spent all or parts of five seasons in the big leagues with Houston (2004-2007) and Arizona (2008). He was a part of the 2005 Astros team that advanced to the World Series.

Last season, Burke hit .194 (32-for-165) with 5 doubles, 1 triple and 2 home runs. Despite playing six positions, he committed just one error in 193 total chances.

For those wondering why Tyler Walker's name rarely came up here in the spring-long bullpen battle, consider this:
Walker was released by the Mariners today.

At 32, with a little closing experience and six big-league seasons behind him, Walker signed as a free agent in January.

In February and March, however, minor injuries - to his thigh and then upper back - kept him off the mound.

Now he's off the roster.

"We determined that there are other pitchers ahead of Tyler in our bullpen," general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "That drove this decision."

Like who?

Well, start with rookies Shawn Kelley and Chris Jakubauskas.

TODAY
Colorado scored six runs in three innings against Erik Bedard and coasted home for an 8-3 victory over Seattle, using eight walks to ignite the Rockies offense.
SATURDAY
Seattle visits the Los Angeles Angels in Tempe for a 1:05 p.m. that will be broadcast on KIRO and televised on FSN. Probable starting pitchers: Carlos Silva vs Mike Palmer.
NOTABLE
Bedard and Brandon Morrow said they felt wonderful – and between them, walked seven men in four-plus innings. “Eight walks doesn’t work,” manager Don Wakamatsu said. Seattle out-hit Colorado, 11-7, but the Rockies were hitting early with men on base. Morrow, for instance, hit a batter, walked another and then gave up a home run. …
When the Mariners want their best defensive team on the field late in the game, the outfield set is easy – Endy Chavez, Franklin Guttierrez and Ichiro. But what about at first base? One option the team has considered is sliding Jose Lopez from second base to first and putting Ronny Cedeno at second. That may happen, occasionally, but the Mariners will start the season hoping Russell Branyan can be their first baseman late. He doesn’t have great range, but he’s a big target and, guarding the line late, the Mariners think he can do the job. Mike Sweeney will be the ‘other’ first baseman on the roster. …
Catcher Jamie Burke returned from Oregon as a proud third-time father, rejoining Kenji Johjima, Rob Johnson and Jeff Clement in camp. Expect those numbers to shrink soon – there aren’ enough at-bats or innings to give four catchers. …
Cedeno and Johjima had two hits apiece and, though he was just 1-for-4, Ken Griffery Jr. hit two shots that were caught and had two RBI. …
Ryan Rowland-Smith, the likely No. 5 starter in the Mariners rotation, threw an early bullpen so he could get to the dentist for a root canal. “They asked me the other day what kind of pitcher I was, and I said, ‘I’m Ryan Rowland-Smith – I get outs any way I can,’” he said. “I learned a lot last year. Maybe by the end of this year, I’ll know what kind of pitcher I am.” Wakamatsu’s evaluation of Rowland-Smith? “He’s a tough kid, but sometimes is approach has no rhyme or reason,” the manager said. “He’s aggressive, I like his stuff, he needs to mature a little bit on the mound. I like him.” …
Think the Mariners are serious about bunting this spring? During batting practice, they have coach Lee Tinsley working with a pitching machine on a half field, and players rotate through. Everyone bunts, with at least one round dedicated to forcing the third baseman to field a bunt. “You try bunting, once a week, for a hit and even if you’re out, the opposing teams have to start playing you differently,” Tinsley said. “They have to play in at third base, and holes open up for you. Just the threat of a bunt makes a team play differently.” …
Lefty Tyler Johnson was scheduled go throw a 30-pitch simulated game but apparently threw too much on Thursday and was shut down, instead. He’ll start the season on the disabled list, along with closer-in-waiting Chad Cordero. … Sweeney’s two-out RBI single won the Mariners game in the ninth inning on Thursday – and it was the fifth time this spring Seattle has won a game in its final at-bat. Not a bad habit. …
Morrow on his inning-plus of work: “I felt real good but my mechanics were off. I'd throw three good pitches in a row, then four bad ones. This is the time to work on things, and I was working on my curve. I threw one that got me a double play - and one that got hit out.” …
Rookie Shawn Kelley’s long-shot surge toward a spot in the bullpen continues to shorten the odds. Against the Rockies, he threw two shutout innings, facing only seven batters.
QUOTABLE
From Morrow, on a curve that Christian Colonel hit for a home run: "That pitch felt great out of my hand. Off the bat, I knew it was going over the fence.”

Note: I went through and tried to clean up a few of the copy editing mistakes, this what happens when you write at 2 a.m.

Just googling the words “leadership quotes” is process that will yield a number of websites and blogs that are overwhelmed with quotes from a range of politicians, poets, writers, athletes, coaches, business leaders and honestly people I’ve never heard of before.

And in this sea of thoughts, I’ve come to realize that there is no right way or wrong way to lead. Not in politics, not in business and certainly not in sports. And anymore, I’m not even certain about the importance of leaders in sports, or at least our perceived notion of what leaders are.

Just look at a few random ones I found …

Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. -- Vince Lombardi

Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing. -- Albert Schweitzer

The strength of the group is the strength of the leaders. -- Vince Lombardi

Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes. -- Peter Drucker

Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions. -- Harold S. Geneen

"The leader who exercises power with honor will work from the inside out, starting with himself." - Blaine Lee.

I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure: which is: Try to please everybody. – Herbert B. Swope

Leadership involves finding a parade and getting in front of it. – John Naisbitt

These are just random pickings from what were thousands of quotes that were meant to be either. So why was I spending my enjoyable, post Duke-loss Thursday evening googling quotes about leadership? I got sucked into perusing the quotes from Ichiro’s first meeting with the local writers in Arizona today.

If you haven’t heard by now, he was asked about and addressed the idea of being a leader and some of the comments that were made about him former teammate J.J. Putz and manager Jim Riggleman to the Seattle Times.

Here’s Lash's story on it, and Tim Booth’s story from the Associated Press.

To be fair, I wasn’t there on Thursday, but I could have told you a month ago what some of the questions that were going been asked. And I don’t disagree with Times writer Geoff Baker for asking those questions. He had to follow up on what they wrote earlier. Really, the questions probably needed to be asked after what happened last season.

"Trying to get a team together and point to one guy and say follow this leader sounds very easy and simple thing to do. In fact, if you go in this style there are manholes in this style of doing it," Ichiro said. "I think people who believe this fundamental thought process of choosing a leader and getting a team to follow them should change their thought process. What's important is ... individuals who want to improve themselves."

This is Ichiro’s way, and really it’s the way of a lot of players. Raul Ibanez was consumed with his day-to-day preparation. He didn’t have time to babysit Jose Lopez to make sure he was taking extra groundballs instead of eating cheetos on the couch. He didn’t have time to force to Yuni stop watching soccer and go out and take early batting practice when he was hitting in the low .200s, or teach him why it's bad to swing at a pitch a foot outside. Raul was consumed with doing an exacting day-to-day routine because it was needed for him to play at his highest level. If he didn’t put in all that work, he would never have had half the success he had.

Along those lines, answer these questions: Has anyone ever complained that Ichiro was out of shape? Has anyone complained that Ichiro doesn’t work on his defense? Has anyone accused of Ichiro for not putting enough work on his hitting?

The answer is "no" to all of those. He prepares with an obsessive compulsive attitude. And the results speak for themselves.

As someone who was there daily, I noticed this: once Ichiro shows up to a clubhouse during spring training or in the season, he doesn’t spend much time goofing off, sitting in front of his locker or chatting with teammates. He has a specific purpose, a schedule and he keeps to it. He believes that it’s necessary for him to have success. And I would say that it’s tough argue with his results.

This is how he views his personal responsibility to the team.

“I was not a leader for the Japan WBC team,” Ichiro said. “To have a leader, that’s not the important thing. What is important is to group together individuals who want to improve themselves as baseball players and improve themselves as human beings. That’s what’s important.”

From all that I observed and read, that’s how Japanese players view the inner-workings of a baseball team. They don’t romanticize the idea of the team leader. Basically, on a Japanese team, the players all worry about being the best player possible so they don’t need a leader to tell them to do so. And if everyone does that, then they will be the best team possible.

Unfortunately that attitude didn’t necessarily permeate in all the players on the 2008 Mariners squad. And to some, it meant that Ichiro or Raul automatically had to be the guys to extoll that "right" attitude on their teammates? Because they are the best players on the field, that means they have to be the team's leaders? I don’t think so.

Jay Buhner was never the best player on most of his Mariners' teams. But yet he was still an unquestioned leader. I don’t think anybody appointed him to that post. Manny Ramirez is the best player on any team he's played on and no one would ever construe him as a leader.

Is it right for others to appoint Ichiro as a leader, when he clearly doesn’t have the personality or the desire to do so? I don’t think so. And neither does he.

“Saying, ‘Everybody follow this leader,’ sounds like a very simple thing to do,” he said. “People who believe this fundamental thought process of choosing a leader and getting the team to follow them should change the thought process. A team leader appearing is a good thing. But to choose one or appoint one is not the right way of doing things.”

But here’s possibly the most salient quote from the whole interview to me.

“If there’s a group of people who don’t know what their goals are or the correct thing to do, yeah, you need a team leader,” he said. “But this is major league baseball. We’re not at that level anymore.”

And this is something I’ve railed about in the past concerning professional baseball players, including the other day with Ian Furness. If it’s your job to be the best baseball player possible, then should you really need to have a teammate push you to do so? If the well-above-the-common-man salary you are receiving isn't enough of an incentive to work at it, how about working harder simply out of respect to your teammates, your team and the game?

I know this idea baffles Ichiro, and to some extent Raul. They simply don’t fathom how a player – specifically one that isn’t producing – not put in maximum effort to change the results. They don’t grasp contentment with mediocrity. And for Ichiro having the mediocre question his approach has to seem ludicrous.

Obviously Ichiro’s preparation and style of play differs from his teammates. But that doesn’t mean it’s wrong.

“This is major league baseball. We’re all professionals here. Is it really at a level where I have to explain to other people what are the reasons I do some things?” he asked. “We’re all professionals. It makes me feel like a mom telling a child, ‘this is why I do things.’"

I’m not exonerating him from all criticism. His refusal to dive for balls and his stubbornness as to when he wants to steal and when he doesn't irks me a little, and it does irk his teammates. And on some level it could be construed as being selfish. An athlete being selfish? Shocking. Yet the NBA still survives and Terrell Owens is still employed.

“Isn’t what a professional does is look at other things and try to steal things from other people by watching and learning from others? Isn’t that what it means to be a professional?”

One would think.

Ichiro is not a perfect baseball player by any means, and for all that he isn't, there's still so much more that he is. Fortunately, for him and for the Mariners, there are a few more professionals on the 2009 team. And a month and a half into spring training, leaders have already emerged, they didn’t need to be appointed. Perhaps we can finally put 2008 away for a while.

TODAY
Mike Sweeney’s two-out RBI single completed a three-run ninth inning rally that lifted Seattle past Kansas City, 10-9. The victory pushed Seattle’s Cactus League record to 14-12-2.
TODAY
Seattle hosts the Colorado Rockies in a 1:05 p.m. game. Probable starters: Aaron Cook vs. Erik Bedard.
NOTABLE
David Aardsma and Tyler Walker drew praise from manager Don Wakamatsu in relief, but starter Felix Hernandez was wild – 12 hits and two walks in six innings - and Mark Lowe gave up two runs in the top of th ninth inning to put the team behind, 9-7. “Mark’s got to command the strike zone,” Wakamatsu said. …
Ichiro Suzuki and Kenji Johjima returned to camp and to the Seattle lineup, and Wakamatsu posted a batting order that could well be the blueprint all season:
Ichiro RF
Jose Lopez 2B
Ken Griffey Jr. LF
Adrian Beltre 3B
Russell Branyan 1B
Sweeney DH
Johjima C
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Franklin Guttierrez CF
Four more cuts brought the number of players in camp to 40 players in camp, not counting the injured Ryan Feierabend. Optioned to the minors were pitcher Sean White, catcher Jason Phillips and Adam Moore. Third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo was optioned to Tacoma – and sent out with praise. “I told him I haven’t seen a player improve more in six months,” Wakamatsu said. “He’s not the same player he was late last year. He’s better defensively, better at the plate. He’s a big part of our future.” …
Griffey doesn’t have the speed he once had in the outfield, but he’s been impressive with a spin move along the left field line. When Coco Crisp singled between third baseman Beltre and the bag in the third inning, Junior got to the ball, picked it up bare handed and threw a strike to second base – sending Crisp scampering back to first. “Yeah, I got that move,” he said. “Of course, the first time I did it, it was by accident.” …
Felix Hernandez was, by his own reckoning, ‘lost’ and ‘horrible’ in his six-inning start, battling his control all day. “It’s been 10 days since I pitched (in the World Baseball Classic), and I just wanted to throw strikes,” Hernandez said. “I was all over the place. I kept talking to myself – ‘Take it easy, come on, let’s go’ – but I kept competing. I’m ready to go, physically. I’m ready to go, mentally. I just don’t pitch well on 10 days rest.” … Catcher Jamie Burke was missing and had a marvelous excuse – the birth of his third son, Payson. He flew to Oregon to join his wife, and is expected back in camp today. …
Sweeney had three hits and Ichiro, Endy Chavez, and Guttierrez each had two. …
Brandon Morrow, who pitched an inning on Tuesday, will throw two more in today’s game against Colorado. Morrow hit 96-97 mph with regularity in that one inning – but never pitched from a windup. “I’m still more comfortable pitching from the stretch,” he said. “I’m working on the windup, but not in the game yet.” …
Russell hit his fifth spring home run, matching Mike Wilson for the team lead. Russell is batting .321 this spring. … A year ago, when they played 29 exhibition games, Seattle went 13-16.
QUOTABLE
From batting coach Alan Cockrell, when asked if he planned on altering anything in Ichiro’s swing: “I’d need a lobotomy to change anything.”
MEDICAL UPDATE
Tyler Johnson, the lefty who wants to pitch but hasn’t all spring – he’s coming off shoulder surgery – will pitch a simulated game today. “Holding him back isn’t easy,” pitching coach Rick Adair said. “If it were up to him, he’d pitch every game the rest of the way.”

Ichiro Suzuki walked into Mariners camp for the first time this spring at 7:15 a.m., carrying bags of equipment and the smile of a World Baseball Classic champion.

Whatever issues he and teammates may or may not have had last year, the Mariners seemed genuinely delighted to see him - and catcher Kenji Johjima, who came in 20 minutes later.

Their arrivals were met by Japanese photographers, and the over/under on Japanese media in camp today is 50. Place your bets.

Both Ichiro and Joh got hugs from Felix Hernandez, Carlos Silva, Yuniesky Betancourt and other early arrivals.

Both spent much time thanking others for all the congratulations on Team Japan having won the WBC.

Ichiro looked across the row of lockers near his own and spotted the cubicles belonging to Ken Griffey Jr. - who wasn't in yet.

"Junior," he said. "That's trouble."

More from Ichiro will have to wait until he plays in the Mariners-Royals game today, works out afterward and showers.

It’s an offday in Peoria, so I figured I’d post something from this perpetually gray place known as Puget Sound.

Quickly, I was on KJR with Ian Furness on Tuesday. You can listen to the interview here. It looks like that will be a weekly thing. Just not sure what day and time it will be.

Here's the up to date spring stats and pitching lines for the M's.

Also it looks as though Angels ace John Lackey won't be ready for opening day for the second straight season.

And I won't be going to Michigan to try this burger, at least not any time soon.

Watched the Mariners game with the Dodgers last night and was struck by a few things …

• Manny Ramirez’s homer off of Ryan Rowland-Smith was awesome. Look, I dislike Manny probably as much any reasonable human can dislike someone. He is the antithesis of everything I believe in about playing baseball. Also, I like Ryan Rowland-Smith and think he should be in the Mariners starting rotation – along with a healthy Brandon Morrow. With that said, Manny can “rake” and that homer was ridiculous. Here's the video

• Jeff Clement is still fighting himself. He’s getting into that bad habit again of getting pull happy. When I watched him have his best success in Triple A (with the understanding it’s still AAA pitching) and even the brief moments last season, Clement was staying in on the ball and hitting up the middle and even to left-center.

He was never a pure pull hitter coming up, but you can tell everything is opening up a little quick and he’s trying to just hammer balls to right. Of course, last night he did have to face lefties in three of his four at-bats. Still, he’s always maintained that he likes hitting lefties, and his minor league splits suggest that. But one of the keys to hitting lefties as a lefty is staying in on the ball, keeping that front shoulder in and going with the pitch. He wasn’t doing that last night, and hasn’t consistently done it this spring.

Being around Clement enough, it’s easy to see that he’s a guy that wants success at the major league level so badly and is clearly pressing both at the plate and behind it this spring.

With Ken Griffey Jr. likely to take a good portion of the at-bats at designated hitter, that means Clement will lose at-bats. Could he be sent back to Triple A, to make sure he gets day to day at-bats and work behind the plate. It’s certainly possible. It will be interesting to see what transpires over the week and half with the return of Kenji Johjima. That leaves Johjima, Clement, Jamie Burke and Rob Johnson all trying to make the team with Adam Moore most likely ticketed to Triple A.

Realistically, the Mariners could name Joh as the starter, designate Burke giving him the chance to hook up as a back-up with another team, and then decide between Clement or Johnson. Johnson is better defensively and calls a better game. But at some point, the Mariners need to make a determination if Clement is part of their future, and they won’t know unless he gets some day to day at-bats in the big leagues to get used to major league pitching. Or they could make a trade with another team in need of catching help.

• Brandon Morrow looked pretty good. His fastball ranged fro 92 to 97. He threw three straight fastballs at 97 mph against Brad Ausmus to end the inning. He’s still not going to start the season in the big league rotation because he’s just too far behind. He'll probably begin the season in the minor leagues, maybe AA West Tennessee since its climate is a little warmer, but he could go with the Tacoma since they start the season on the road.

• To be fair, Miguel Batista has not been good this spring. He hasn’t been completely horrible, just on occasion. But consistent? Not even close. Here’s his spring pitching lines …

He has not pitched back-to-back scoreless innings this spring.

Batista has maintained that his horrible performance last season is due to minor fractures in his back that never allowed him to extend on his pitches. He’s supposed completely healthy this year and we should see a difference, but he’s still allowed 11 hits in 10 2/3 innings pitched.

Let’s look at the facts ..
1. He’s 38 years old
2. He’s in the final year of three-year, $25 million contract with the Ms (thanks BB). He’ll get paid $9 million this year.
3. He’s not a part of the Mariners immediate future, and obviously not the long range future.
4. If he continues to give up hits or more importantly walk hitters and consistently falls behind hitters, his minimal value to the Mariners decreases even more and his trade value will be virtually non-existent.
5. The Mariners might be better off keeping one of their younger pitchers like Shawn Kelley (more consistent) or Chris Jakubauskas (more versatile) or Cesar Jimenez (extra lefty in the pen) on the staff instead.

So should the Mariners just release Batista and eat the $9 million? The USS Mariner discussed this possibility a while back.

After watching Batista slog his way through an inning of work last night, getting hit hard by the likes of Jason Repko and Doug Mientkiewicz, I think you know my answer to the question.

TUESDAY
In yet another day-night double-header, the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers played to a 10-10 tie in the afternoon game. Brandon Morrow is scheduled to pitch in thre nightcap against the Dodgers
WEDNESDAY
The Mariners have the day off.
NOTABLE
Ichiro Suzuki and Kenjj Johjima will join the Mariners in camp on Thursday and likely slide into Mariners lineup for the first time this spring. In their absence at the World Baseball Classic, eight players batted leadoff for Seattle and three men started behind the plate. With spring training winding down, Ichiro and Johjima will play regularly – along with the rest of Seattle’s lineup – beginning Thursday. …
Jarrod Washburn went six innings and allowed three runs, throwing 82 pitches and asking Wakamatsu if he could keep pitching. “He said ‘No,’” Washburn said. Afterward, Washburn’s neck, arm and groin were buried in ice bags. “It only hurts when I breathe,” he said. “None of it is serious, it’s all painful. If it gets better quickly, I’ll be happy. If it doesn’t, I’ll just pitch with it.” …
Reegie Corona helped set up Seattle’s two-run fourth with a perfectly executed single on a one-out hit-and-run play. Corona’s hit pushed home one run and put Mike Morse at third base, and Morse then scored on Tyson Gilles’ sacrifice fly. …
Against the Rangers, Seattle took a 7-3 lead into the seventh inning, then watched Randy Messenger give up three runs and Cesar Jimenez allow another. Sean White and Julio Lugo worked the final two innings without allowing a run. …
Left-hander Tyler Johnson’s tug of war with coaches continues: He wants to pitch, they’re preaching patience. Coming off shoulder surgery less than a year ago, Johnson is anxious to pitch again – and a compromise seems to have been reached. Johnson threw a bullpen Tuesday, and could pitch in his first game on Friday. Will he? “We’ll see,” pitching coach Rick Adair said. “If Tyler was in charge, he’d have pitch a week or two ago.” …
Jamie Burke was nervous behind the plate against the Rangers, but not because of baseball. Burke’s wife, Katrina, is expecting their third son, and the couple’s doctor was deciding Tuesday whether to induce labor on Wednesday – an off day for Burke and his team. “If they induce, I’ll fly up (Tueseday night), be there when the baby is born and fly back that night,” Burke said. At game time, however, no decision had been made. …
When Yuniesky Betancourt was caught trying to steal third on Monday, manager Don Wakamatu wasn’t unhappy. “Yuni was trying to do what we’ve been working on, getting the jump off second base,” he said. “Instead of taking a couple steps toward third and taking off, though, he took a couple steps toward the pitcher and then went. We’ll talk to him about that, smooth it out, but he was trying something different. I had no problem with that at all.” …
Russell Branyan’s bruised calf, which caused him to miss a game Monday, was kept off the field again Tuesday – but was the designated hitter against the Dodgers. …
Franklin Guttierrez has batted leadoff much of camp, batting .292 and playing small ball when asked. With Ichiro due back in camp Thursday, Guttierrez will likely drop to eighth or ninth in the lineup. “As with a lot of players in camp, the bunting had a purpose with Franklin,” Wakamatsu said. “It just gives him another weapon , another option at the plate with men on base.” …
Rangers third baseman Michael Young left the game after one at-at, having aggravated a strained thigh muscle. …
QUOTABLE
From Omar Vizquel, on Ken Griffey Jr. “Seattle will love having him back. He can still play, and he loves to have fun. He’ll definitely have people laughing again. You have to have fun to play this game, and Junior has fun.”
MEDICAL UPDATE
Adrian Beltre didn’t play in either game and hasn’t played in five days. Why? Beltre felt a little discomfort in his surgically repaired left shoulder, and has since been getting treatment and doing strengthening exercises. Rather than rush him, the Mariners are giving him time to work through the problem. Beltre likely will start on Thursday.

(Getty Images)

Four hits, two RBI, the game winning single and a WBC title in a damn good game to watch. Here's Jack Curry's story for the NY Times. This ESPN recap has the video highlights of the game. The LA Times Bill Shaikin called the final a joyride he never wanted to end. Here's the LA Times' game story.

Box Score

Here's ESPN's Jayson Stark's solution to fix the WBC.

(AP Photo)

MONDAY
Chris Jakubauskas out-pitched Randy Johnson and Tim Linecum, Wladimir Balentien had a home run and three RBI and the Seattle Mariners beat the San Francisco Giants, 5-1.

TUESDAY
Another day-night double-header for the Mariners, who host the Rangers at 1:05 p.m., then play the Dodgers in Glendale at 7:05 p.m. The night game will be televised on FSN. Probable starting pitchers: Game 1, Brandon McCarthy vs. Jarrod Washburn; Game 2: Ryan Rowland-Smith vs. Eric Stults.

NOTABLE
Facing former Mariner Randy Johnson, who went three innings for San Francisco, the Mariners scored twice against him – on a Wladimir Balentien home run and on doubles by Rob Johnson and Yuniesky Betancourt. …Balentien added a sacrifice fly and, in the ninth inning, singled home a third run. …

Chris Jakubauskas went another five innings against San Francisco and allowed only one run. “He’s done everything we could have asked of him,” manager Don Wakamatsu said. “He’s very much in the running for a bullpen job.” Jakabauskas has a 2.16 earned run average and, in 16 2/3 innings this spring, has allowed only 12 hits and four runs. He threw 71 pitches against the Giants. “I want to make their final decisions tough,” Jakubauskas said. Replied Wakamatsu: “He’s done that.” …

They’re back! Venezeulan Team players Felix Hernandez, Carlos Silva, Jose Lopez and Endy Chavez were back in camp – and Lopez and Chavez were back in the Seattle lineup. Now only two players, Ichiro Suzuki and Kenji Johjima, remain missing in action at the World Baseball Classic. …Lopez doubled twice and Chavez went 0-for-3 but had an RBI. …

After giving up his first runs of the spring in his last appearance, reliever David Aardsma threw two scoreless innings and lowered his spring ERA to 2.70. …
Tyler Walker, Garret Olson and Felix Hernandez threw bullpens and came out fine. That means Hernandez, who threw 51 pitches on Monday, will return to the Mariners rotation on Thursday against Kansas City. Silva will start Saturday against the Angels. …

At 7:15 a.m., Jay Buhner walked through a mostly empty clubhouse to introduce himself to manager Don Wakamatsu and the Mariners coaches. After that, it was down to the minor league clubhouse and into uniform again – Buhner, like Dan Wilson before him this spring, will work with Mariners kids for a few days. …

The Mariners would like Erik Bedard to have thrown 80 pitches in a game before the season starts, and he’s at 47 now with at least two starts and probably three remaining. Can he do it? “You only build up your pitch count in games, you don’t do it in the bullpen,” Bedard said. “Your bullpen sessions are always the same. In a game, I can tell you when I’ve thrown enough pitches. Could I have thrown more than 47 (Sunday)? Not and stayed healthy. Next time out, I’ll probably throw 10-15 more pitches, but it’ll depend on how I feel that day. You can’t force it, you just have to feel it.” …

Yuni watch: After his two-out double pushed home a run, Betancourt was thrown out trying to steal third base with Lopez at the plate. Oops. … Denny Stark was brought up from the minor league complex and pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

QUOTABLE
From Ken Griffey Jr, to former teammate and often injured Jay Buhner: “We measure outfielders in dog years. That makes you about 320 years old.”

MEDICAL UPDATE
First baseman Russell Branyan bruised his right shin and calf by fouling a ball off his leg in Sunday’s game, so he was scratched from the lineup Monday. He went through the full team workout and took batting practice, but stayed back when the Mariners bus left for Scottsdale and the Giants game.

As sportswriters, we are sent a hundreds of press releases per week. Some are useful (game notes from the M's, etc.) some are annoying (all soccer releases, well, at least to me anyway) and some are just downright strange (viagra, golf swing equipment and cheerleading injury studies), but today's press release for Bill James' new book "The Bill James Goldmine 2009" is something that needs to be shared.

Don't know who Bill James (AP Photo)is, well, check out these stories ...

From the New Yorker

From Esquire

From Slate.com

Whether you believe in looking at the game as James does or not, his research and his theories must be respected. As a baseball writer, I would be doing readers a disservice by not at least learning if not completely embracing what James has to say.

So here's a few snippets that James sent local Mariners writers from his book.

* "Although he’s often overlooked, Adrian Beltre is one of the best third basemen in baseball. He is at the top of the list in fielding and below average in only one category, plate discipline. He has also been very durable, and his skill set is actually very similar to one of baseball’s saints: Brooks Robinson."

* "The Mariners in 2006 drafted Brandon Morrow with the #5 pick in the draft, rather than local favorite Tim Lincecum, who went to San Francisco with the tenth pick. This is something that people talk about, but—just my opinion—in the long run, I don’t think anybody is going to regret drafting Brandon Morrow. I think he’s tremendous. Morrow had a 3.34 ERA last year, but there are several signals that he may be a better pitcher even than that. Batters hit .174 against him, which is Randy Johnson territory. He made a mid-season conversion from relief to starting, which probably didn’t help his numbers any, and he gave up 10 home runs with just 47 fly outs. A ratio like that is probably a fluke, since the pitcher doesn’t really control the percentage of flyballs against him that become home runs. He may not be a starting pitcher. In five starts in September he walked 19 men, which is too many; even Randy couldn’t succeed as a starter issuing that many free passes. He m! ay have to go back to the bullpen. And I’m not saying he is Tim Lincecum, but...I think he’s a guy who has Cy Young ability."

* "What happened to Yuniesky Betancourt’s glove? His fielding plus/minus figures (the number of plays he makes above or below what an average defender at his position would have made) have dropped each of the past two years, and he was last among all major league shortstops in 2008. He has particularly lost range on groundballs up the middle."

* "Last year, we mentioned that Felix Hernandez threw his slider more often in 2007. In 2008, he changed his pattern again, throwing fastballs more often than anytime in his major league career, and de-emphasizing the slider and curveball."

* "The Seattle Mariners last year had a man on second base, no one out 116 times, and scored only 111 runs in those innings. They were the only major league team to score less than one run an inning when they had a leadoff hitter at second base. "

Now playing first base: Mike Sweeney.
A long-shot to make the team when signed, Sweeney has made the team as a pinch-hitter, right-handed designated hitter and occasional first baseman.
Today, for the first time this spring, he'll start at first base. Why? Russell Branyan, originally in the Seattle lineup, has a bruised right calf and shin.
Branyan took a foul ball off the spot on Sunday and could have played but. as in the regular season, there are times the coaching staff sides with caution.
So it's Sweeney, and here's the lineup:

Endy Chavez LF
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Jose Lopez 2B
Mike Sweeney 1B
Wladimir Balentien RF
Franklin Guttierrez CF
Matt Tuiasosopo 3B
Rob Johnson C
Chris Jakubauskas P

The Seattle Mariners still don't have their full team in camp - and won't until Team Japan plays its final game in the World Baseball Classic.

But they're closer.

Venezuelans Endy Chavez, Jose Lopez, Carlos Silva and Felix Hernandez are back.

For manager Don Wakamatsu, that means Phase Three of camp has begun.

"It was broken down into three phases, really," Wakamatsu said. "We had the workouts before the WBC, and the only guys missing were Ichiro (Suzuki) and Kenji (Johjima). That was Phase One.

"Phase Two was during the WBC, when we worked out and played games with a lot of players we probably wouldn't have seen much of without the WBC."

And Phase three will be a lightning-round of fundamentals work, trying to tighten the team on and off the field and get ready for opening day.

Not once this spring has the Mariners starting infield been in a game together. Not once has the starting outfield played together.

Yes, these are professionals, and baseball is baseball. But ask any team in the game if they'd like to run a camp this way, the answer would be a resounding 'No.'

The Mariners will start playing catch up today.

There was, briefly, another presence floating in the clubhouse this morning - Jay Buhner.

He came in early, met with the coaching staff, hung out with the training room crew and then dressed in uniform on the minor league side.

Buhner has been asked to work a few days with young outfielders, minor league hitters. Off the field, of coursre, he'll hang with Ken Griffey Jr.

A misunderstood question and an answer from Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu has led to some rather wild speculation and even a little unjustified criticism about the handling of Brandon Morrow.

Asked about Morrow starting or relieving, Wakamatsu said the young right-hander would pitch out of the bullpen behind either Ryan Rowland-Smith or Erik Bedard next week, to slowly bring Morrow along before sticking him back in the rotation.

There was a followup question about whether there was the temptation to use Morrow out of the bullpen as opening day drew near.

"I think it’s going to come down to that last week and how much he progresses," Wakamatsu said. "If we can continue to start him or not, we’ll make that decision at that point."

Almost immediately, there were a few endless blog entries strafing the team for not following through on its promise to give Morrow the chance to start.

"I must have misunderstood the question, because Brandon is going to start the season in the rotation - either ours or somewhere in the minors until we can build up his pitch count," Wakamatsu said. "I was talking about him starting or coming out of the bullpen that last week of spring, not once the season began.

That, of course, is one of the dangers in trying to blog first and think later. When in doubt down here, it's easy enough to simply ask the manager for clarification.

Three more cuts in camp, with first basemen Bryan LaHair and Mike Carp and right-handed pitcher Gaby Hernandeze each sent to the minors.

For LaHair and Carp, there simply were no more at-bats to be given at their position, not with Russell Branyan, Chris Shelton and Mike Sweeney dividing time at first base in the near future.

Ryan Rowland-Smith, who gave up five runs in the top of the first inning - and didn't lose - tried to sum up a game in which the Seattle Mariners rallied to beat the San Diego Padres, 10-8.

"It's spring training for everyone," the left-hander said.

The Mariners used another home run from Mike Wilson, his third in two games, and a pair of stolen bases from Russell Branyan to come from behind.

They got solid play from shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, who played little ball with a hit-and-run single, then followed that with a two-out RBI single later in the game.

Ken Griffey Jr. started in left field, didn't hurt himself or his team. And, in the ninth inning, the Mariners handed the ball to rookie Shawn Kelley, who delivered his first save.

The win gave the Mariners a split of their day-night double-header and left them with a 10-10-1 Cactus League record.

Down 5-0 after half an inning, the Mariners have caught the Padres in the third inning.

Mike Wilson hit his third home run in two nights, a two-run shot. Mike Sweeney and Adrian Beltre pushed home runs with sacrifice flies.

And then in the third, with two on and two out, Sweeney singled to the opposite field and the game was tied.

Ken Griffey Jr. is flawless in the outfield, 0-for-2 at the plate and broken a bat in each plate appearance.

If Jeff Clement wants to watch a professional hitter go about his business, however, he might want to study Sweeney. Clement is 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts, both ending innings with teammates on base.
S

weeney? He's now 6-for-16 this spring with five RBI.

After three: Seattle 5, San Diego 5.

The Padres first inning just ended, and Ryan Rowland-Smith gave each of his outfielders a little work.

It wasn't pretty.

The left-hander seemed to hit the sweet spot of every San Diego bat, giving up five hits - two of those doubles - and five runs.

Yes, Ken Griffey Jr. had a couple of plays, one of them a towering fly ball to the left field line. Junior caught it and one-hopped a throw to second base.

Unfortunately for the Mariners, outs came slowly and every ball the Padres hit was scorched.

After half an inning, San Diego leads Seattle, 5-0.

Griffey's defense may not be the deciding factor tonight.

The Mariners lost the first of two games for Seattle today, an anonymous affair the Chicago Cubs won, 9-3.

Eighteen players in the lineup, and not one of them will start opening day of the regular season.

Chicago started Aaron Heilman, who’ll start the season in the Cubs bullpen. Seattle started Gaby Hernandez, who’ll open the year in the minors.

After two scoreless innings, Hernandez had a bit of a blip – six consecutive Cubs reached base, and all of them scored. With so many innings to be worked and only so much pitching available, Hernandez stayed on the mound and finished four innings.

The Mariners offense? Well, they have nine hits but only two runs

Perhaps Game 2, a televised Mariners-Padres game at 7:05 p.m., will show Seattle in a better light.

Manager Don Wakamatsu had one player open his eyes - minor league outfielder Tyson Gillies, who flashed a glove, an arm and speed.

"He plays the game right," Wakamatsu said. "He had two hits and should have had three, he flies and he can play all three outfield positions. Yeah, he makes you take notice."

Gilles, 20, is also deaf, and wears a hearing aid in each ear.

Greetings from Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix at 4:30 a.m.Let me get this straight, I’m leaving 90 degree heat for the 40 degree cold? Wow.

First of all, some business stuff to take care of. We were having a little trouble with our blog system yesterday, according TNT computer czar Doug Connaroe, it had something to do with the network upgrade we were having.

So that’s why you can’t access it sometimes and sometimes it wouldn’t let you sign in. Or for me, it wouldn’t let me post the rather long blog post I wrote last night about Yuniesky Betancourt that kind of followed up on what Lash wrote earlier, but it somehow disappeared into the ether.

But as I wait for my 6:15 a.m. flight back to Sea-Tac, I felt it was necessary to try and recreate at least some of it. Because what we saw and heard about Yuni from manager Don Wakamatsu told me a lot about the type of manager Wakamatsu is and what he aspires to be and also what he expects from his players and what he’s willing to do to meet such expectations.

An initial glance at the box score of last night’s game or even a glance at a few highlights on Baseball Tonight, one would think that Yuni had a pretty good game going 2-for-4 with a homer and a triple while driving in two runs.

But in terms of what Wakamatsu wants to see out of Yuni’s approach to the game, it left a little to be desired. In four at-bats, the free-swinging Yuni saw a total of six pitcher. Six.

Let’s break them down.

AB No. 1: He saw a first-pitch fastball for a strike. Down 0-1, he proceeds to swing at a fastball inside that is so far in that he can barely get his hands through. Really it looks like it might have hit him. The result? A weak pop-up in the infield.

AB No. 2: Runners on first and third with no outs and Yuni get antsy trying to drive in some runs. He takes a strike and then swings at a bad pitch and is way out in front rolling into a soft 6-4-3 double play.

AB No. 3: First pitch fastball home run to left

AB No. 4: First pitch fastball drive it right

While the last two at-bats will get noticed from people reading the box score, the first two were noticed by Wakamatsu. And he wasn’t pleased.

“It’s nice to hit a home run and a triple down the line but there’s more to this game than that,” Wakamatsu said.

The double play was especially irksome. Mike Wilson led off the inning with a double and Ronny Cedeno (who’s been earning points with Wak every day) dropped a bunt for a single down to move Wilson to third. Franklin Gutierrez followed with a single to score Wilson and move Cedeno to third. Yuni steps up, sees one pitch and then produces the double play ball. So instead of having runners on second and third with one out, the M’s had two outs and nobody on. Perhaps more galling for Wak is that Adrian Beltre and Mike Sweeney followed with back-to-back singles.

“We had Ronny go down and talk to him because Ronny laid down another nice bunt,” Wakamatsu said. “(Yuni’s) got to have other weapons, especially if he has a desire to hit in the No. 2 spot.”

“Ronny did that on his own, and really it was perfect scenario for (Betancourt) to do the same thing. just push the ball to the right side.”

Now we all know that Yuni has never thought the game out like that or played the game like that. But Wak is intent on forcing him to learn.

“I have the ability to give him a take, if it gets to the point where we have to break down every count whether it 2-0, 2-1, 3-1 and giving him the take to make him see more pitches, we’ll do that,” Wakamatsu said.

Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa isn’t afraid to do this with his players. This story talks about how he controls certain at-bats in spring games to build better discipline.

When mentioned to Wak about this, he was all for it.

“Absolutely, I’d do that,” he said. “It all depends if it hurts the ball club or not. Obviously days he hits a home run and a triple you kind wash it away some, but it’s going to be a big part of our offense that he can do those things that we have three or four guys either early or late in the lineup that can manufacture runs.”

Wak and his staff have talked with Yuni, they’ve even recruited Cedeno and others as well to try and get him to understand.

“We’re going to hit every avenue we possibly can, whether it’s Beltre or Ronny,” Wakamatsu said. “But it does get contagious when guy starts giving themselves up.”

To be fair, Yuni isn’t the first free swinger in baseball. Vlad Guerrero comes to mind. But Wak pointed out a big difference.

“You look at those guys and the majority of those guys are higher on base percentage guys,” he said. “Is he having productive outs? That’s key we have to look at. Whether he’s moving runners or whether he has the ability to hit and run on certain guys, those are the things that are more important to me if we can’t get him to see more than four pitches a game.”

To be fair to Yuni, he hasn’t been out playing every day to really get a feel for what Wak expects in games. He’s been plagued by the sore hamstring and has half the at-bats he’d normally have. But that will change soon.

“You give him the benefit of doubt up to this point, now as he starts playng more and we’re going to ask him to do more,” Wakamatsu said. “If he doesn’t, then he doesn’t become the two-hole hitter and send a message that way.”

But is that the worst that can happen? Wak was asked if Betancourt is THE shortstop.

“So far,” he said with a chuckle.

And that’s something we have not heard in a few years in Mariners land. I ranted last year on the Ian Furness show about how Yuni has no fear of ever losing his spot because of the sheer lack of talent in the upper minors at shortstop. But with Cedeno there that changes the landscape a little. And Wakamatsu said improved defense from Yuni wouldn’t lengthen the rope to offset his plate issues.

“We’re looking for a complete player,” he said.

“It comes down to production and if he doesn’t produce, then yeah, we’ll look to go in a different direction.”

Did I mention how much Wak is growing on me as a manager? This is something we would have never heard about any player last year. It’s not biting, it’s not cruel, it’s critical and honest.

As expected the Mariners made some cuts from camp today ...

Optioned to Triple A Tacoma
RHP Luis Pena, LHP Justin Thomas

Optioned to Double A West Tennesseee
RHP Stephen Kahn, RHP Marwin Vega

Re-assigned to minor league camp
RHP Eric Hull, RHP Luis Munoz, RHP Denny Stark, LHP Chris Seddon, OF Freddy Guzman, OF Prentice Redman.

Seattle Mariners (8-9-1)
21 Franklin Gutierrez CF
7 Yuni Betancourt SS
5 Mike Sweeney DH
29 Adrian Beltre 3B
30 Russell Branyan 1B
25 Wlad Balentien LF
32 Rob Johnson C
61 Mike Wilson RF
3 Ronny Cedeno 2B
----------
56 Jarrod Washburn P

Kansas City Royals (11-6-3)
2 Coco Crisp CF
24 Mark Teahan 2B
9 David DeJesus LF
11 Jose Guillen RF
17 Mike Jacobs 1B
16 Billy Butler DH
4 Alex Gordon 3B
14 John Buck C
1 Tony Pena Jr. SS
------------
23 Zack Greinke P

I have agreed to do a live chat today from here in sunny Peoria, Arizona. The Mariners don't play till tonight, so I'll be taking questions from you for about an hour. If you want to talk Mariners, baseball, NCAA tournament bracket advice, eating massive hamburgers or whatever comes to mind, go to www.thenewstribune.com/sports and log in and we'll have some fun.

Mariners catcher, and my fellow Montanan Rob Johnson, is pointing at you, telling you to log in and ask some questions. Remember there's no such thing as a stupid question. But that doesn't mean you won't get a stupid answer back.

The Mariners have the day off in Peoria, and so on some level our day is a little slower as well. But I'll probably post some notes a little later. First though I'd thought I'd share this picture with you ...

I forgot how hypnotizing it can be to watch King Felix pitch. I watched the game last night and it just makes me excited for the season to get here. Here's Yahoo's Jeff Passan's column on the game

Check out this quote from Luis Sojo:

“That’s the man the whole of Venezuela wanted on the mound,” Sojo said.

For those whose mortgages are under water and whose stress level continues to rise, Erik Bedard has four words of good news.

"My ass felt good," he said.

Well, of course it did - and for the Mariners and their top left-handed starting pitcher, that was good news.

Bedard missed a start with a strained muscle in his behind, and in one inning he allowed the Dodgers a run but felt no discomfort.

So, from now on, he'd prefer not to discuss his tush, thanks.

Seems fair.

Here's some video of Tyler Johnson and Brandon Morrow throwing bullpens this afternoon. Johnson, if he's healthy, will most likely be the left-on-left specialist in the bullpen - something he believes.

"I’m not really worried about that, if I’m healthy, I think I’m going to be there," he said. "It’s just a matter of my healthy. I’ve been to eight big league spring training, not like its my first second or third one I know what to expect. I know if I’m healthy I’ll be in the big leagues."

For his career, lefties are hitting just .228 against Johnson. But righties - albeit a smaller sample size - are hitting just .237.

Johnson said his bullpen session was good. But he admitted he didn't have the command that he did in his bullpen on Saturday.

"The last session was awesome, you wouldn’t have even known I had surgery," he said. "My stuff was just nasty as it has been."

Particularly nasty was his breaking ball that was sharp and biting and would cause troubles for most lefties.

"It’s doing what I want to do, it’s coming out of my hand nice and it’s got good spin," he said. "Even today I had it, it just wasn’t as accurate. As far as the rotation on the ball and movement, I couldn’t ask for anything better."

Morrow is coming back off of a strained forearm and threw 30 pitches. He was quite pleased with how the session felt, and more importantly how he felt afterward.

"I was definitely frustrated the last time because I had already taken five days off and then came back and not feel good, I felt good today," he said. "It was 30 pitches my normal bullpen effort level. I wasn’t airing it out or anything."

Morrow figures he'll throw another bullpen session on Thursday and be ready to pitch in another game after that. But does that mean he'll be ready when the seasons opens.

"I don’t know," he said. "I’m trying not to look at the calendar. I know were getting close to the deadline. I'm not trying to think about it. They told me not to worry about rushing back or feel like I need to be ready by then if I’m not feeling 100 percent."

You can’t pick up a newspaper today without wondering how much longer you’ll be able to pick up a newspaper.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer won’t be a newspaper after tomorrow’s edition. In San Francisco, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, papers are slipping quietly into extinction, and the Northwest is merely the latest victim.

The P-I is gone. There are rumors The Seattle Times is in financial problems and the company that owns The News-Tribune – the McClatchy Company – has gone from more than $70 a share to less than a dollar a share.

Maybe it’s something we simply have to accept, an industry that is dying, didn’t adjust to the times or simply ceased to become part or the cultue.

Reading a newspaper, or several of them, used to be more than a passion, it was how we stayed in touch with the world. Columnists were like old friends we knew or felt we did. As a boy, I thought everything Jim Murray wrote was wonderful – even his columns on horse racing.

Where would Murray find an audience today?

For most people at the P-I, this isn’t just the end of a job, it’s likely the end of a career. No newspaper in the country is hiring. Most are slashing jobs.

Maybe most of us won’t miss the newspaper, or even remember what they did.

Some of us will. And we’ll miss them more than we can say.

Sorry, I accidentally posted the lineups and erased the notes. It was a relatively non-eventful morning media session. Brandon Morrow and Tyler Johnson are both throwing bullpens today, so I'll be there for those. Lash and I will split up and be at each game. He'll stay here and I'll got to Goodyear.

So on to the notes ...

* Besides Stephen Kahn, outfielder Freddy Guzman was also optioned out today as well.

* LHP Tyler Johnson will throw a bullpen today and if it goes well, he could see his first game action of the spring later this week.

* Brandon Morrow will also throw a bullpen, but Wakamatsu hinted that he might to throw at least one more bullpen session before going back into the game.

* The issue of pitches issuing walks came up again. Seattle has handed out 74 in 141 innings.
"To me it’s really about an organizational philosophy of what we are trying to accomplish it. Are we accomplishing that right now? Absolutely not," he said.

"It’s just the mentality. When we get narrowed down here, I think that’s when we’ll start getting concerned if those things continue. I try to look at positive of most things, to me its going to be whether they are nibbling or whether they are attacking the strike zone.

We’ve talked about it being one thing if they are getting hit down here its one thing, but if they are giving free passes, no manager in baseball likes that."

* Wakamatsu admitted that the defense playing behind the M's pitchers hasn't always helped, noting that Shawn Kelley ended up giving up a home run after a catchable fly ball in the outfield wasn't caught and an errors by Yuni Betancourt led to more hits and runs.

* He did point to Kelley as a positive, saying he was the only pitcher who was missing down in the zone when he missed.

* As for his hitters not taking walks - Seattle has just taken just 40 this spring, Wakamatsu said it's a process. He pointed to Yuni's change from Friday to Sunday.

"The big thing yesterday was Yuni," Wakamatsu said. "I think the other day in Chicago he had three at-bats and saw four pitches. Yesterday he had six or seven pitches in the first at-bat, trying to find some positive and reinforce them.

It’s expectations. Again do they know what we expect as an organization? I think he does.

Looking back to yesterday, when he has six or seven pitches at bats that's a big step in the right direction and you should pat him on the back because that’s what we are looking for."

Of course, Yuni being Yuni, he could go out and swing at the first pitch of his next four at-bats. Wak knows it's going to be a slow process with him.

AT GOODYEAR
Seattle Mariners (7-8-1)
50 Prentice Redman CF
9 Jeff Clement C
27 Matt Tuiasosopo 3B
5 Mike Sweeney DH
13 Chris Shelton 1B
59 Mike Carp LF
12 Mike Morse RF
15 Carlos Triunfel SS
1 Reegie Corona 2B
-----------------------------
71 Chris Jakubauskas RHP

Cleveland Indians (6-10-1)
29 Josh Barfield CF
12 Ben Francisco LF
48 Travis Hafner DH
41 Victor Martinez C
2 Jhonny Peralta SS
25 Ryan Garko 1B
13 Asadrubal Cabrera 2B
4 Tony Graffanino 3B
62 Trevor Crowe RF
-----------------------------
45 Jeremy Sowers LHP

IN PEORIA
Los Angeles Dodgers (9-7)
15 Rafael Furcal SS
30 Orlando Hudson 2B
55 Russell Martin C
5 Mark Loretta 1B
33 Blake DeWitt 3B
9 Juan Pierre CF
3 Delwyn Young DH
75 Xavier Paul RF
83 Mitch Jones LF
-----------------------------
18 Hiroki Kuroda RHP

Seattle Mariners (7-8-1)
23 Mel Stocker CF
3 Ronny Cedeno SS
24 Ken Griffey Jr. DH
29 Adrian Beltre 3B
30 Russell Branyan 1B
61 Mike Wilson RF
15 Jamie Burke C
6 Chris Woodward 2B
95 Tyson Gillies LF
45 Erik Bedard LHP

Cuts coming today, but you won't read about many of them.

Stephen Kahn, a 25-year-old right-hander on the 40-man roster, was optioned to the minors Monday.

With tomorrow's off-day scheduled, that's going to make the moves a little tougher on the cuttees.

Imagine this: You're in major league camp. You've got a day off tomorrow, maybe a little golf scheduled. Maybe time with the family.

Ouch.

Don't expect any stunning surprises. With more than 50 players in camp - not counting those still away at the World Baseball Classic - the Mariners have players who need work and won't get it unless they're sent down.

We're live from a sun-drenched Peoria Stadium where it's only 73 degrees. But I'm really glad I'm not back in the Puget Sound area.

As a hint of the lightness of mood in spring training, when Ken Griffey Jr. along with the capacity crowd giving generous, White Sox bench coach and Jr.'s former teammate Joey Cora offered some applause. Griffey looked right at him and said a few things and then Cora said a few things back and Cora started to do the bowing "We're not worthy" motion. Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, a person who himself can't help himself from saying things, was continually yapping at the player he managed for half the season last year.

Then catcher AJ Pierzynski stood up and made the signal for pitcher Jose Contreras to intentionally walk Jr. Fans didn't think it was funny at first but Griffey did, he had to step out of the box to compose himself.

It didn't help the at-bat, though as Griffey eventually struck out looking.

UPDATE 1:37 -- While the mood was light to start early, manager Don Wakamatsu's mood might be souring. Mariners starter Garrett Olson walked a hitter in the first inning, then walked the first two hitters to start the second inning. Josh Field followed with an RBI single.

Olson managed to get an out, but then walked lead-off hitter Jerry Olson to load the bases. Pierzynski unloaded them with a sharp single score two runs. Carlos Quentin followed with a deep triple to right center that scored two runs. Then the relay throw from Yuniesky Betancourt to try and get Quentin at third was wild and got past Adrian Beltre allowing Quentin to score.

Olson managed to get a second out, getting Jermaine Dye to pop up, but he promptly served up a two out walk to Josh Kroeger and Wakamatsu had seen enough pulling Olson for Marwin Vega.

I wrote yesterday about how bothersome the walks are to Wak, and Olson had fivein two innings.

And the carnage still isn't over. Vega gave up a bloop hit to right that Mike Morse couldn't come up with and then Alexei Ramirez crushed a pitch deep to left-center for a three-run homer. Vega finally ended the inning. It's now 9-0 and the Mariner have only had three players come to the plate. Thankfully it's a nice day out.

Olson's line 1 2/3 innings, three hits, 7 runs and five walks and a strikeout.

UPDATE 2:28 --- Well, it's now 10-0 as Marwin Vega gave up three runs himself but didn't walk anybody.

Miguel Batista game in in the fourth and got an out and then - walked two guys in a row - but he was bailed out on nice double play by Adrian Beltre.

Jr. just popped out to left and is 0-for-2

UPDATE 2:42 -- The Mariners are on the board as Russell Branyan ripped a two-run homer to right-center. It was no doubter to be certain.

Randy Messenger came in for one inning and struck out the first two hitters he faced, gave up a hit and then got Carlos Quentin to ground out to third. Messenger pitched a second inning and gave up a home run to Josh Kroeger.

UPDATE 3:23 --- The Mariners are showing some offense, Russell Branyan and Mike Morse just hit back-to-back solo homers. So now it's 15-4. A real nailbiter.

Having never seen Cordero pitch up close or in person or from that angle, I was kind of surprised about his throwing motion. He seems to short arm it a little. Some of the writers were wondering whether that was a result of the surgery, but GM Jack Zduriencik said Cordero has always thrown that way.

Here's some audio of the interview ...

"It looked similar to what it has been," Zduriencik said. "I mean, it has never been the perfect, classic delivery, but that works for him. There is a lot of deception in what he does."

Cordero was very upbeat following the session, meeting with reporters a few minutes afterward.

"Everything felt better today," he said. "It was outside. When I was rehabbing, everything was inside. We had nice little breeze, feel fresh air. My arm felt great. No pain. No nothing. Now it’s just a matter of building my arm strength up and I’ll be all right."

Cordero threw about 35 pitches which is less than he was throwing on his own, but what the Mariners want him at. CEO Howard Lincoln and Zduriencik were on hand watching closely along with the much of the Mariners coaching staff.

“That I am progressing, that everything is on schedule," Cordero said when asked about what he hoped to show his audience. "They liked what they saw. Hopefully I can keep moving up and not have any setbacks. I haven’t had any so far. As long as I keep doing all the work they want me to do and all my exercise, who knows, I could be up here quicker than anyone thinks.”

But that won't be opening day.

"Opening day really isn't a reality," he said. "I still have to get my velocity up and that might take another month or so. So realistically, early to mid-May. I’m till a little bit away, but hopefully I’ll be able to pitch 4-5 months out of this year."

Zduriencik is being cautious about putting any date on a return.

"We’ll see," he said. "Those are hard to predict. One player can be ready two or three weeks sooner than another player. You never really know, but if he’s feeling really good right now, which he does, that’s great."

Manager Jack Zduriencik continues to makes moves and be active, today claiming right-handed pitcher Jesus Delgado off of waivers from the Florida Marlins.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Delgado, LHP Ryan Feierabend, who recently underwent Tommy John surgery, was placed on the 60-day disabled list.

"As we have said repeatedly, our goal is to try and accumulate talent at every opportunity," Zduriencik said. "Jesus is a young player who has already reached the big leagues. We think he adds depth to the releif pitching group in our organization."

Delgado made his major league debut with the Marlins last season, appearing in two games.

Here's his complete stats

Delgado was signed by the Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent in 2001. However, he missed 2002 and 2003 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He was later traded to the Marlins as part of the Josh Beckett trade that sent Beckett, Mike Lowell and Guillermo Mota to the Sox for Hanley Ramirez, Delgado, Anibal Sanchez and Harvey Garcia.

As always, here's a few notes from our morning meeting with Don Wakamatsu

* Erik Bedard will start Monday's split squad game here in Peoria against the Dodgers and will only pitch one inning.

* Ken Griffey Jr. will play today and tomorrow in his first back-to-back games. If he feels good, he'll probably see some time in the outfield later this week.

* Brandon Morrow will throw a side session on Monday

* Cesar Jimenez is going to pitch in the split squad road game on Monday.

* Tyler Johnson will throw a bullpen on Monday and a simulated game on Tuesday.

* Roy Corcoran has some biceps tendonitis that flared up in his last outing. "We kind of slowed him down and he's going to throw a bullpen (Monday) and see if he's not back to normal. Nothing serious with that."

* Chad Cordero is throwing a bullpen today.

* There will be a handful of roster cuts tomorrow, mostly pitchers.

* Wakamatsu said the team is "behind" in finding a situational lefty out of the bullpen, noting that Johnson and Jimenez's injuries have slowed the process.

Here's today's line-ups
Chicago White Sox (9-8)
7 Jerry Owens CF
12 A.J. Pierzynski C
20 Carlos Quentin LF
23 Jermaine Dye RF
74 Josh Kroeger 1B
10 Alexei Ramirez SS
15 Wilson Betemit DH
22 Josh Fields 3B
80 Grodon Beckham 2B
-----------------------------
52 Jose Contreras RHP

Seattle Mariners (7-7-1)
6 Chris Woodward LF
7 Yuniesky Betancourt SS
24 Ken Griffey Jr. DH
29 Adrian Beltre 3B
30 Russell Branyan 1B
12 Mike Morse RF
50 Prentice Redman CF
32 Rob Johnson C
1 Reegie Corona 2B
-----------------------------
49 Garrett Olson LHP

Former Mariner Chris Snelling has signed a minor league deal with the Padres today.

Former TNT writer Corey Brock filed this story for MLB.com

Congrats to the Doyle.

News flash, a Mariners pitcher made it through an inning without walking someone.
Ryan Rowland-Smith pitched a scoreless first inning and threw plenty of strikes.

Here's an update from the WBC game played earlier today in Miami. Venezuela prevailed 3-1.

Carlos Silva started and was the winning pitcher: going 7 innings, allowing one run on four hits, while walking one and striking out four. Of his 79 pitches; 58 were strikes.

Endy Chavez was 1-for-4 with a triple and run scored. He led off the game with a triple and scored the first run.

Jose Lopez hit a solo home run.

For the Netherlands, prospect Greg Halman was 0-for-2 with 2 Ks.

UPDATE 1:40: Prentice Redman gave the Mariners a 1-0 lead on soft single to right scoring Chris Shelton, but the best part of the inning was Ryan Rowland-Smith getting a base hit through the left side of the infield. Rowland-Smith, who was nervous about hitting in the game, tried soliciting pregame advice from people even sports writers since he hadn't taken an at-bat since he was 17 years old.

But he looked like a seasoned veteran, taking a strike and then going with the next pitch hitting a sharp ground ball between third baseman Christian Colonel and shortstop Clint Barmes.

Later in the inning Rowland-Smith showed off his base running skills scoring from second on Ronny Cedeno's infield hit. Redman scored from first and Rowland-Smith never hesitated rounding third when Rockies SS Clint Barmes tried to make a leaping throw to first on the ground ball deep in the hole. Rockies first baseman Todd Helton fired home, but RRS skipped in about a half second in front of the tag, choosing not to slide.

UPDATE 2:16: RRS is now 2-for-2, slapping a line drive single to right Tony Gwynn style. Of course, he almost just got picked off first. He later scored on Ronny Cedeno's deep homer to left.

UPDATE: 3:39 - had to finish up the story and talk to RRS a little. He was obviously very ecstatic with his day. A few things, he took BP on a back field with Don Wakamatsu pitching and he was "horrible" according to both himself and Jeff Clement, who lent RRS a bat and had to hit after him in BP.

"I don't think he even touched one," Clement said. "The ball would hit the backstop before he would start to swing. I didn't think I was going to be able to hit after watching after that."

UPDATE 4:04 -- Here's an update about yesterday's single game ticket sales from Mariners director of public info Rebecca Hale.

"Tickets for Opening Day sold out in 55 minutes today. One of the quickest Opening Day sellouts in several years."

Yes, that's what I ate for dinner last night. It's called the Triple Bypass burger, from a place called the Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, Arizona. It was Larry Stone's idea to try the place. He'd heard a lot about it. Anyway if you eat the triple bypass (close to 6,000 calories I'm told), you get a free ride in a wheel chair around the restaurant.

We both ordered them, I finished mine and Larry declared "no mas" because he ate too many of their fries cooked in pure lard.

I do recommend it for a one-time experience ...

Anyway, let's get to the notes from our pregame meeting with Don Wakamatsu ...

* Erik Bedard threw a 30 pitch bullpen this morning in Peoria.

"Everything was good, he felt no pain," Wakamatsu said.

But with a muscle its also important to see how it feels days after.

"We’ll see if it comes back the next day," Wakamatsu said. "I think he felt it as he was doing it last time, so this should be a pretty indication that it’s doing better. But tomorrow is a big day to see where it’s at."

* Brandon Morrow threw 20 pitches from a shortened distance.
"We felt he was in great spirits (Friday)," Wakamatsu said. "He’s sitting around going like this (rotating his elbow and forearm), saying “nothing.”

But that doesn't mean that Morrow will be ready by opening day.

“I still think its going to be iffy at this point,” Wakamatsu said. "If he was 20 or 30 pitches at this point full, I might have said yeah. But we’re just going to be really careful with him."

* The Mariners recent play of late isn't sitting well with Wakamatsu. I mentioned a Lou Piniella comment the other day

"I know how he feels and I feel the same way," he said. "Any time you go through a stretch in an organization whether its playing young kids that maybe wouldn't be there or not, it’s still the organization and it’s the temperament. You’ve always got to win games and keep that feeling of having a confidence level, it doesn’t matter who it is."

But Wak's biggest peeve has been the pitchers and the walks they've been issuing. Mariners pitchers have walked 70 pitches in 16 games counting the exhibitions. In the Cactus League games they have 64 walks in 123 innings pitched and they've only struck out 68 hitters. In comparison, they've only walked 31 times and have struck out 114 times.

"The thing were looking at is the pitching," he said. "We can talk about the positions players and having rookies out there, but we’ve walked way too many guys. We talk about certain organizations we respect in this game and you look a the leaderboard of the least amount of walks and they’re threre. Regardless of who we are throwing out there, those are expectations that should be met.

If we’re getting hit around and hit around but we’re not walking anybody at least we’re accomplishing one side of what we want.

Is he surprised by it since they've stressed it from day one?
"Whether it’s competition or whether its youth, I don’t buy in or subscribe that it’s all command," he said. "I think a lot of it is their approach."

Can pitchers make the change in philosophy overnight or is it a process?
"There’s a lot of guys in this room that have that ability, there’s other guys in this room that need some maturing maybe in the minor leagues," Wakamatsu said. "There’s plenty of guys in this room that have walking too many guys than they have in the past or that they should."

And it's not young guys compared to the established guys.

" It's both, I think everybody’s walked too many guys with the exception of (David) Aardsma," Wakamatsu said. "So you can change it around."

Mariners (6-7)
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Ronny Cedeno SS
Jeff Clement C
Wlad Balentien LF
Chris Shelton 1B
Matt Tuiasosopo 3B
Prentice Redman RF
Chris Woodward 2B
-----
Ryan Rowland-Smith P

Rockies (6-8)
Dexter Fowler CF
Clint Barmes SS
Todd Helton 1B
Matt Murton LF
Brad Hawpe RF
Christian Colonel 3B
Sal Fasano C
Jonathan Herrera 2B
----
Jason Marquis P

UPDATE 3:42 -- Ok, sorry for the long break, I got caught up writing my Chad Cordero story for the paper, plus there was really nothing good to post. Gaby Hernandez gave up four runs on four hits. Mark Lowe came in and didn't look really sharp again. He pitched one scoreless inning, but had two costly walks and allowed a run in his second inning of work.

David Aardsma looked sharp in his one inning, while Tyler Walker worked out of a slight jam in his two innings.

UPDATE 2:23 --- the gritty, the gutty Oswaldo Navarro drives in the first run for the Ms with a liner that hit pitcher Luis Vizcaino and bounced away. Prentice Redman scored on the play. He singled earlier and then advanced on a throwing error by Vizcaino.

UPDATE 1:53 -- Not much going on for the M's offensively against Sean Marshall. But down in Tucson, Seattle took a 3-0 lead on RBI singles from Bryan LaHair and Matt Tuiasosopo and a sac fly from Mike Morse. But that disappeared as Jason Vargas gave up two runs in the next inning, so it's 3-2, M's.

And Sam Fuld just went deep to right off of Hernandez, so now it's 3-0 Cubs.

UPDATE 1:31 -- an eventful bottom of the first for Gaby Hernandez. He gave up a one out walk to Sam Fuld, got Derrek Lee to pop out and then walked Aramiz Ramirez on a long at-bat. Hernandez then worked Mike Fontentot and seemed to throw a perfect strike three pitch on a fastball on the inside corner that froze Fontenot. Home plate umpire Jim Reynolds called it a ball. Hernandez wasn't pleased giving a shake of his head and taking a long walk around the mound. On the 3-2 pitch, Fontentot rippled a single up the middle to score a run.

Hernandez glared at the ump as he went to back-up home.

Later in the inning, Hernandez tossed a wild pitch to score a run before striking out Reed Johnson to end the inning. Cubs 2, Mariners 0 after one.

We're coming to you live from HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Arizona from the Cubs-Mariners game. I could have went to Tucson, but manager Don Wakamatsu is here, and I go where my fellow Asian-American compatriot goes.

The reason Wakamatsu came here is to evaluate a few relievers. Mark Lowe, David Aardsma, Tyler Walker and Shawn Kelley are set to throw along with Luis Munoz and Denny Stark.

Gaby Hernandez gets the start today.

The Cubs are rolling out a decent lineup today with Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez back from the WBC to join Derrek Lee. (Lineups below....)

Here's the lineups
Seattle Mariners (6-5-1)
6 Chris Woodward 2B
7 Yuniesky Betancourt SS
30 Russell Branyan 1B
25 Wladimir Balentien CF
9 Jeff Clement C
50 Prentice Redman LF
24 Tyson Gillies RF
41 Oswaldo Navarro 3B
36 Gaby Hernandez P
-----------------------------
Chicago Cubs (7-8)
2 Alfonso Soriano LF
8 Sam Fuld CF
9 Derrek Lee 1B
17 Aramis Ramirez 3B
16 Mike Fontenot 2B
4 Reed Johnson RF
3 Koyie Hill C
35 Andres Blanco SS
46 Sean Marshall P

From the Mariners ... with an update ...

SEATTLE, Wash -- Single game tickets for all 81 Mariners home games in 2009 will go on pubic sale tomorrow (Saturday, March 14) at 10 a.m.

Fans can purchase tickets without a service charge at the Safeco Field Box and at all Mariners Team Stores. Tickets are available via the internet at www.mariners.com; by phone at 206-622-HITS, 253-627-TIXS in Tacoma, 503-224-4400 in Oregon, 604-280-4444 in British Columbia; and at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers.

Based on sales as of noon Friday, it is expected that the limited number of tickets remaining for Opening Day, Tuesday, April 14 against the Los Angeles Angels, will be sold within a few minutes of the 10 a.m. on sale tomorrow.

Mariners 16-Game Plans, Half-Season and Full Season Ticket Plans remain available through April, and these plans guarantee tickets for Opening Day while that supply of tickets lasts. More information on ticket plans is available at www.mariners.com and by calling 206-346-4001.

The opening nine-game homestand continues with two more games against the Angels (April 15-16), a three-game weekend series against the Detroit Tigers (April 17-19) and three games against the defending American League Champion Tampa Devil Rays (April 21-23).

First of all, we spotted this bat leaning up against the fence. Someone is using it for batting practice. Someone remarked, "there's still probably a lot of homers left in it still." It wasn't me that said that, though I was thinking it. But hey Cairo hit a homer this spring for the Phillies. Actually, he's hit two. Power surge.

Anyway, here's a few notes from the morning meeting with manager Don Wakamatsu ...

* Here's a few comments on Chad Cordero

He feels he’s at 75, 80 percent so we’ll just keep progressing that. He’ll probably throw a bullpen on Sunday because we’re kind of hectic. He’ll play catch today and throw a bullpen on Sunday.

Again, we’re going to try to move him along slowly and see where he’s at. We’d like to be able to see … I can’t even predict whether we’re going to have him in a game or not. He might turn the corner fast, which was kind of exciting that he’s already thrown five days a week and up to 50 percent. It’s just going to be gauging that.

* The closing situation is still no closer to finding a leader or even a pair of front runners yet.

"For me it’s really about where we started. No one’s really stood out. Guys are still trying to weed their way through it mentally and physically. You’re going to see some guys put some pressure on themselves and then take it off."

Wakamatsu used Jeff Clement relaxing and finally hitting as an example.

It's similar to the Jeff Clement situation where I think he’s starting to settle back in to where he feels that he’s more comfortable. I think you’re going to see the same thing with the pitching. The last three days we talked a lot, over the last 24 hours, at constantly looking to change out gameplan a little bit or are we where we need to be at this point. First pitch strikes, are we aggressive and all those things? So we’re just going to keep hammering and move forward."

* On Brandon Morrow making it back in time ...

We’re back to square one. Again, it depends on how we go forward. It’s going to be tough.

We talked with Brandon Morrow for a little bit and he said he felt great. He took several tests on the elbow with surgeon Dr. Edward Khalfyan and passed them easily. He played catch today and could be ready to throw a bullpen by Monday. Morrow seemed very upbeat about the whole situation.

Seattle Mariners (6-5-1)
6 Chris Woodward 2B
7 Yuniesky Betancourt SS
30 Russell Branyan 1B
25 Wladimir Balentien CF
9 Jeff Clement C
50 Prentice Redman LF
24 Tyson Gillies RF
41 Oswaldo Navarro 3B
36 Gaby Hernandez P

Chicago Cubs (7-8)
2 Alfonso Soriano LF
8 Sam Fuld CF
9 Derrek Lee 1B
17 Aramis Ramirez 3B
16 Mike Fontenot 2B
4 Reed Johnson RF
3 Koyie Hill C
35 Andres Blanco SS
46 Sean Marshall P

Here's the lineups for the game in Tucson...
Seattle Mariners (6-4-1)
21 Franklin Gutierrez CF
3 Ronny Cedeno SS
39 Bryan LaHair 1B
27 Matt Tuiasosopo 3B
12 Mike Morse RF
61 Mike Wilson LF
15 Jamie Burke C
1 Reegie Corona 2B
38 Jason Vargas LHP

Arizona Diamondbacks (4-8)
14 Ryan Roberts 2B
6 Stephen Drew SS
34 Conor Jackson LF
10 Justin Upton RF
27 Mark Reynolds 3B
31 Tony Clark 1B
38 Luke Carlin C
12 Chris Roberson CF
58 Juan Gutierrez RHP

The newest invitee to Mariners camp is already in the building, actually he left on Thursday afternoon and drove from Anaheim to Peoria, arriving about 9:30 last night.

"It wasn't too bad," he said. "It was a nice night for a drive."

Here's the rest of the transcript.

It was a quick easy drive from CA, about five and hour drive. As soon as I got the news I hopped in the car and came down here. I’m excited. It’s the first place I’ve been since I was drafted. It’s a pretty new thing and I’m excited about it.

On other teams interested …
There were a couple other teams interested and another team even had a higher offer, but I wanted to go to place where I was a comfortable. I knew a couple guys on the team. I knew Wetteland from the Nationals before, so that’s why I chose here. Plus I wanted the chance to be on the West Coast, and with Seattle I get a chance to do that.

I’m excited about it and I can’t wait to get started

On how he’s feeling and what he’s able to do …
I’m feeling pretty good. I’m actually feeling really good. I haven’t had any setback so far. I’ve been throwing bullpens since about the first week in February. Everything’s been good so far. Hopefully, I can get healthy pretty quick, but not force it at the same time. And be up there by mid-May or early June or maybe even earlier than that. It just depends on how I react once I start doing all the activities here.

Were there scouts at all of his bullpens
For the most part. I was throwing bullpens every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and scouts were coming out most Wednesdays and Fridays. The Mariners scout was there pretty much every time and every Friday. Apparently he liked what he saw even though I was only throwing 80 to 81 miles per hour at the time. I’m excited at the chance to show them more.

I was throwing at a rehab place down in Anaheim. I was doing that three times a week. I was actually working out with Eddie Guardado. So I talked with him a little bit and I got to pick his brain a little bit.

Eddie’s a little crazy. He’s cool. He didn’t do anything crazy to me. He’s just always talking about breakfast burritos and things like that.

Watching situation with M’s bullpen
Not really. I paid attention for a little bit. But that wasn’t a huge factor for me. Comign of a shoulder surgery, I don’t really expect to be in the role I was used to. I have to go out there and prove that I’m healthy. Whether when I come out they want to pitch in the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or 10th it doesn’t matter me. I just want to go out and show that I’m healthy again.

Reports on velocity
It was true. I think it was all because of the shoulder. It was weird cause I never felt any pain in there. So I guess it was just kind of hiding in there. Once I tore my lat muscle that kind of showed me exactly what was going on. When I tore the labrum in the last week, I was really weak with the ball. It was down just because of the shoulder. If it wasn’t hurt, I’d still be my normal 89, 90, so hopefully I can back up to that.

Was it maddening to not feel the pain ..
It sucked basically not knowing what was going on with the shoulder.I think one game I was throwing 78, 79 against the Mets. I still went 1,2,3 but I was like holy cow what’s going on in there. Once I found out what was going on in there, there was a big sigh of relief because that made me realize that I just didn’t lose it. It was because I was hurt.

Was it from wear and tear that the labrum finally tore …
The big reason it finally tore, when I tore my lat all the pressure went on the shoulder. They think that’s what caused it. They think I had a tear at the beginning of the season and they didn’t notice. I think with the tear in the labrum that’s what caused the lat to tear and that’s what caused the major shoulder surgery. It sucked. I think it was just a gradual thing that built up over the years. Pitchers arms are very fragile and so when its time for them to give out, it’s just going to happen.

ON the timetable for recovery …
They said it’s normally about nine to 10 months before I can start to throw full speed again. Right now I’m about the eight month mark. They said with me it could be sooner because of the way my arm is reacting. I haven’t had any setbacks. I haven’t had any pain since the surgery. They gave me painkillers and I didn’t even need to use them. I’ve been very lucky so far. Hopefully it goes the same way.

On his program with the Mariners …
I haven’t talked with the trainers yet. Once I find out from them I’ll probably have a better idea. I’m sure I’ll probably cut my bullpens back to two times a week instead of three. I’ll still throw every day and keep playing long toss.

Any chance of getting into a spring game …
Probably not during spring training, probably more in a sim game near the end of spring. Once I start building up the arm speed and the velocity build up a little more that’s probably when I’ll start sim games.

ON what went through his mind when he heard torn labrum …
I had heard horror stories about it. One of the guys I played with DC, Rayn Wagner had seven tacks put in it. He was telling me how he couldn’t sleep on his back and he splet in a recliner for two weeks straight. I really wasn’t looking forward to it. When I got it and they only had to put one tack in it, I was really relieved. It kind of took some pressure off me, to realize it wasn’t as bad as everybody thought. I was pretty excited that it wasn’t that big of a deal. A torn labrum is a big deal, but compared to some other guys, it wasn’t as bad as some people thought.

On any success stories he can call on.
I hav’et really thought about that. For me, it’s just knowing that I can get better with the way it’s been reacting, it’s been good so far. That’s just what I think of.

On what have last 24 hours been like …
I’ve been excited. The whole drive over here I couldn’t wait. I called John Wetteland right away and told him and he sounded pretty excited. That was the thing I wanted a chanceto come back and play for him and learn from him. It’s been really exciting, I’ve anxious to get over. I’ve been sitting and watching all these spring training games on TV and it’s kind of hard to just sit back on the couch and watch.

On how he stays patient and not rush back to soon …
Just knowing that I have to take one day at a time. If I go to hard, my career could be over. I could blow it out again and I could never pitch again. Really I just have to think about that and knowing that I want to pitch another 10 or 11 years. For me I just have to think about knowing I’m 26 and I want to pitch till I’m 35 or 36. That’s really what I think about because if I go too fast I could blow it out again. And I really don’t want to have to go through that process again. It’s not a fun process to go through.

For more than a more, the Seattle Mariners stalked reliever Chad Cordero.
They watched him throw in the bullpen.

They talked to his doctors and trainers and people like bullpen coach John Wetteland, who knew Cordero. They talked to their own doctors and trainers.

And then, they pounced.

“We did our due diligence,” general manager Jack Zduriencik said. “He’s not had a setback since his surgery, which was not terribly invasive. He’s throwing on a regular basis.”

No one knows with any certainty when Cordero will pitch, but he signed a minor league contract and will be in camp some time today. Given that the team doesn’t have a closer – lots of candidates, but no closer – landing Cordero makes sense.

If for whatever reason he can’t pitch, the team has lost nothing. And if he can pitch a month or two into the season, the Mariners suddenly have a 27-year-old closing candidate with experience at the job.

This wasn’t a deal made just for 2009. The Mariners are looking ahead, building a team with depth for this year and beyond.

“I’m excited to have him, except we don’t really have him yet,” manager Don Wakamatsu said.

What the Mariners know is there’s no medical reason Cordero can’t pitch again, and they’ll be as patient as they need to be – finding an All-Star closer is worth the wait.

The Seattle Mariners took a low-risk move by signing right-hander Chad Cordero, who just two years ago saved 37 games for the Washington Nationals, to a minor league contract.

Cordero, who turns 27 next week, hasn't pitched since early last year and is still recuprating from shoulder surgery last July.

"We are going to take it one step at a time, but we are optimistic that Chad can help us this season," general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "Chad has been a quality Major League closer and we look forward to his contributions to our ballclub in 2009."

Cordero has 128 career saves, 47 of them for the Nationals in 2005. In 305 big-league games, his record is 20-14 with a 2.78 ERA.

He has not pitched since having the labrum of his right shoulder operated on last year, but has been invited to camp as a non-roser invitee.

Mike Sweeney will make his first appearance in the field and play in back-to-back games for the first time. The Rangers are rolling out a lineup close to what they will for opening day.

Rangers (7-6)
Ian Kinsler 2B
Michael Young 3B
Josh Hamilton CF
Hank Blalock 1B
Marlon Byrd RF
David Murphy LF
Chris Davis DH
Taylor Teagarden C
Elvis Andrus SS
----------
Brandon McCarthy P

Mariners (6-4-1)
Ronny Cedeno SS
Chris Woodward 2B
Ken Griffey Jr. DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
Mike Sweeney 1B
Wald Balentien LF
Prentice Redman CF
Jamie Burke C
Mike Wilson RF
-------------
Jarrod Washburn P

Pitchers Josh Fields and Tracy Thorpe, catcher Israel Nunez and infielders Callix Crabbe and Oswaldo Navarro have been re-assigned to minor league camp. That leaves the Mariners with 58 players in major league camp - 40 rostered players and 18 non-roster invitees.

Fields was a late addition to camp after finally get his contract negotiated and has been impressive at times. But this was something that was scheduled to happen because of his late arrival and the fact that he hasn't thrown in a game in over a year. Fields had been scheduled to pitch this weekend in a Cactus League game, but that has been pushed back to a later date.

* Erik Bedard and his ailing gluteus maximus is feeling better and he may throw a bullpen later today or tomorrow. UPDATE: Went to his scheduled session

* Brandon Morrow is feeling better and could throw off the mound in a bullpen this weekend.

* LHP Tyler Johnson threw 25 pitches this morning and feels much better, he could get into game action this weekend.

* The Mariners will be split up on Friday with a team heading south to Tuscon and another team traveling to Mesa. Wakamatsu will go with the Mesa squad to see relievers Mark Lowe, Shawn Kelley and David Aardsma throw. Ty Van Burkleo will go with the team to Tucson and manage that game. Chris Seddon will most likely start. Wakamatsu and some other players will also join the team on Saturday.

Yuni Betancourt, Adrian Beltre, Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Sweeney will most likely not make the trip for either game in Tucson.

In a camp full of large men, Phillippe Aumont still looms above the fray at 6 foot 7. Fresh off a successful stint at the World Baseball Classic, the former first round pick of the Mariners was wandering into the complex with a bag of Chick-Fil-A and ready to get back to work.

So the local media grabbed him before he could disappear into the minor league clubhouse and talked to him about his experience World Baseball Classic.

"Any time I get to wear my (nation's) colors, it’s always an honor and I’ll always enjoy it," he said. "Especially in front of 42,000 people with probably 41,000 who were Canadian. I loved it. It was a great experience and I’ll always remember that outing against the US."

We've already talked about Aumont's eventful and successful inning of work in the WBC. The stories about him keep appearing on the web.

Here's another one from the NY Times' Tyler Kepner, and another one from Amy K. Nelson of ESPN and another one from the Toronto Globe and Mail, heck even the The News Tribune's John McGrath has a columnfrom the other day.

When asked about it, Aumont called it the "best inning" of his short baseball career and a "lifetime experience."

When asked about perhaps getting some of the other Canadian players that skipped out on the classic this year i.e. Erik Bedard, Rich Harden and Ryan Dempster, Aumont knew it wasn't in his place to criticize, but also was hopeful they would play in the next WBC, because if healthy he plans to.

"Hopefully in four years some of those guys will be out there with me and be a part of it," he said.

Anyway, Aumont will be in minor league camp, which he seemed non-plussed about, but also understanding.

"I don’t have any control over that," he said. "There’s people up there who have some reasons. I wasn’t really happy about it, but we’ll go through camp and we’ll start the season. I’ll do the best I can and stay healthy."

“They didn’t really tell me. But I got hurt last year and once you’re in big-league camp, you’re not there to play around. You’re there to perform. I guess they wanted to take it easy on my arm and in minor league camp I can step back a little bit.”

Chris Jakubauskas made the most of a spot start, throwing three hitless innings against Kansas City, and the Seattle Mariners inched out to a 2-0 lead.

Then they changed pitchers.
Left-hander Justin Thomas gave up three consecuive singles - two to left-handed hitters - then a three-run home run to right-hander Billy Butler.

Mitch Maier homere to right field later in the inning. Ouch.

Kansas City leads afer four innings, 6-2.

The Mariners have cost themselves a few runs, the most blatant when Ronny Cedeno broke too early from second base in the fourth inning with only one out, and was tagged in a run down.

Still, most disappointing search this spring may be trying to find a left-handed pitcher who can get a left-handed hitter. The Mariners haven't yet seen that fellow.

Larry's got the M's and I'm over at the Japan-San Francisco Giants exhibition game. The much anticipated match-up between former UW standout and Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum and M's right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.

UPDATE: Ichiro got a hit in his fourth at-bat and Kenji Johjima came in to pinch hit and had an RBI single to right off of Alex Hinshaw.

The first at-bat goes to Lincecum, who sawed off Ichiro on his second pitch for a broken bat ground ball to second. After giving up a single to Hiroyuki Nakajima on a slider, Lincecum came back and struck out the next two hitters.

At-bat No. 2: Ichiro falls behind in the count and fouls off several pitches before working a walk from Ichiro. He later stole second. Lincecum left the game two batters later after walking another hitter.

This spring, Lincecum has pitched 9 1/3 innings, allowing no runs, giving up just two hits and striking out 11.

The Japanese media is here in full force with close to 100 people, but it pales to the 500 plus media members that covered the first round of the WBC in Tokyo. Because of the onslaught of reporters, Ichiro hasn't been doing interviews other press conferences and per WBC rules, reporters aren't allowed in the clubhouse after the game. Myself and Larry Stone have asked to speak with both Joh and Ichiro and Antony Suzuki, who works for the M's as Joh's translator, is doing the same capacity for the WBC and is trying to set that up.

Here's some video of Kenji Johjima taking BP earlier

We're dividing our assets today, with the Whirling Divish in Scottsdale watching Ichiro, Kenji and team Japan while the Mariners are here in Surprise against the Royals.

Gil Meche just worked a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two. Willie Bloomquist is the second baseman behind him and Tug Hullet caught the cermonial first pitch.

Out in the bullpen, another ex-Mariner, Horacio Ramirez.

Chris Jakubauskas started for the ailing Erik Bedard and his strained behind, and stuck out Bloomqist in the first inning on a brutal breaking pitch.

After one, no score.

Erik Bedard has been scratched from his start today because of an issue on the left side of his gluteus maximus. Yes, I can hear your chuckles.

Anyway, Bedard has been bothered by it off and on, starting about four days and it is exacerbated when he throws off the mound.

You will recall that Bedard had hip issues on his left side, but manager Don Wakamatsu said there is nothing wrong with the hip that is a muscular.

"It's something that we felt would be better to have him skip a start now and then probably have him throw a bullpen on Saturday," Wakamatsu said. "We're not real concerned about it."

Other notes from today's morning meeting with Wak ...
* Josh Fields will not throw this weekend as Wakamatsu had mentioned earlier.

"We're going to back that off and see him later in camp," Wakamatsu said. "There's no rush. He took so much time off that we're going to let him get more acclimated."

* Wakamatsu talked about Sweeney picking up Fields' tipping his pitches.
"I think that's a reason he's been a good as he's been," Wakamatsu said. "He's been doing that all year. He's a professional hitter his whole career and being able to see those things obviously attributed to that."

* Wakamatsu has raved about Shawn Kelley early on in camp and sees him projected as a big league reliever down the road.

"The way he's pitching, obviously stuff wise, he's shown he has an ability to pitch in the big league this year," Wakamatsu said. "We'll keep running him out there and make that evaluation. I've been real impressed with his maturity."

* Even with the injury to Brandon Morrow, Wakamatsu still feels isn't allowing him to be thought of as anything as a starter.

"We talked about it this winter, and we want to go down this road as far as we can go," Wakamatsu said. "We haven't talked about moving him back by any means."

Wakamatsu said one of the main reasons they moved him to a starter is that they could control issues such as injuries.

* On the closing situation, Wakamatsu re-iterated that he didn't want to go with closer by committee if no one has established themselves.

"It's still really early, and these guys are going to have at five, six or seven more outings before we make a decision," he said.

Wakamatsu wants to see someone pull away, not drop out by default or bad performances.

* Adrian Beltre's shoulder was a "little cranky" after yesterday's game and the determination when he plays will be day to day.

* LHP Tyler Johnson isn't likely to be ready to start the season. Wakamatsu said its the best he's felt so far, but it would be a stretch to have him ready for the season.

* There will be a few minor roster cuts tomorrow with more to come on March 16th.

* Wakamatsu wasn't sure about the players from the eliminated teams in the WBC returning. He did say that he would like to see Phillippe Aumont pitch in a cactus league game. Obviously, his strong outing in the WBC game against the U.S. was a factor, but also Aumont was in major league spring training last year and Wakamatsu felt it was something he deserved.

Mariners
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Chris Woodward 2B
Russell Branyan 1B
Mike Sweeney DH
Jeff Clement C
Wlad Balentien LF
Matt Tuiasosopo 3B
Mike Morse RF
Ronny Cedeno SS
Chris Jakubauskas P

Royals
Coco Crisp CF
Willie Bloomquist 2B
David DeJesus LF
Mike Jacobs 1B
Billy Butler DH
Alex Gordon 3B
Brayan Pena C
Mitch Maier RF
Luis Hernandez SS
Gil Meche P

When the Netherlands beat the Dominican Republic in World Baseball Classic action yesterday, Wladimir Balentien immediately tried to telephone Adrian Beltre.

Unable to reach his Mariners teammate, Balentien showed up early today and left a note in Beltre’s locker: “Nice game, Dominican!”

“I have to try to make t his team,” he said, “I’d have loved to be in the WBC.”

“That’s like winning the World Series for that team,” he said.

Now, Balentien wants to see his team beat Venezuela.

“I want to see Ronny (Cedeno) cry, too,” he said, with Venezuelan native Cedeno listening.

“I’m glad I wasn’t there – that would have been much harder to take, but there was nothing I could do,” Beltre said. “We had a lot of chances to, but it’s baseball. You can’t explain why.”

“Oh yeah,” he said. “And I’ve been listening to him all morning.”

Here's the boxscore from today's game ...

On Morrow's injury ...
"They still don't think its of great concern. What we're planning on doing is having him let it rest. We have a little bit of time so instead of having him he do what he did this time we're going to make sure it's out of there before he throws another bullpen."

"It's not in the joint so that's encouraging but we're going to take our time with it."

On if there still enough to get him ready for the season ...
"We talked about it the other day about him being in the back of the rotation. It's going to be tight, but we still think we have time. It just depends on how fast he come back."

We're just going to let that thing get completely out of there before we even start talking about a bullpen date."

On his bullpen session ...
"He went 22 pitches and felt something in there. It's not like something grabbed, he just felt it in there."

But when asked if it was a setback, Wakamatsu said "I would say so."

On his impression of Josh Fields' simulated game ...
"I think it would good that he pitched against guys like Griffey and Sweeney."

"To me he was pretty comfortable out there. Initially he was throwing a little too hard. But he made some good adjustments and he started pitching. I saw a good live fastball and a good hard breaking ball. It was encouraging."

On Cesar Jimenez who also threw in the sim game ...
He's still a little ways away, but he's pain free. He's been setback a little way. We're going to try and see where he is and get him ready. He's another guy we don't want to rush too fast, but we have to take a look at.

On his relievers ...
We tried to get some guys more in a relief situation. It just validates guys or it doesn't, especially in this closing role. It gives you a different look at guys.

The positives for me were I thought Aardsma was ok, I thought Corcoran was better. He kept the ball down. Kelley was good, his stuff was outstanding.

On Lowe and Batista ...
Just command. Again it's earlier, but as we get further into it, that early statement will be a concern, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt now.

Alright, this is coming way late today. I had to finish up a story for the paper and that kept me from blogging during the game.

A crowd of 7,855

Junior watch: He was 0-for-3 with a two ground outs and a strikeout.

The Mariners closing candidates left a little to be desired.

Miguel Batista allowed three runs on three hits in a five-run fourth inning.

Roy Corcoran worked a scoreless fifth inning, but in the sixth Mark Lowe got knocked around giving up three runs on four hits and only getting two outs before being lifted.

Shawn Kelley has actually better than all three.

Perhaps David Aardsma should be brought back into the closing mix. He's certainly has the stuff to do so and has looked strong this spring.

The Mariners only run so far came in the seventh on back-to-back doubles from Matt Tuiasosopo and Russell Branyan.

Yuni Betancourt had a double and a triple, but seemed to be favoring his hamstring a bit on the triple.

The Mariners fall to 6-3-1, while the Cubs improve to 7-8.

The Cubs broke a scoreless tie with five runs in the top of the fourth inning off starter Garrett Olson (2 runs) and reliever Miguel Batista (3 runs). Chicago added three more runs in the top of the seventh off right-hander Mark Lowe (0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R).

The Mariners scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the seventh. Third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo led off with a double to the left field gap and scored on a double down the right field line by first baseman Russell Branyan.

Game Highlights:
* Starting pitcher Garrett Olson allowed 3 hits and 2 runs in 3.0 innings (+ 2 batters)...he did not allow a run in his first 3.0 innings of work.
* Yuniesky Betancourt went 2-for-2 with a double and triple in his two plate appearances.
* Roy Corcoran (1.0 IP), David Aardsma (1.0 IP), Shawn Kelley (1.1 IP) and Randy Messenger (1.0 IP) each contributed scoreless relief efforts.
* Franklin Gutierrez recorded 8 putouts in center field.

The Mariners return to Cactus League play tomorrow (Wednesday, March 11) facing the Kansas City Royals on the road in Surprise. Left-hander Erik Bedard (1-0, 0.00) is scheduled to start for the Mariners against former Mariner right-hander Gil Meche.

You read the post earlier from Lash, here's video of a few pitches from Morrow's bullpen.

I'm also uploading video of the Fields outing

Josh Fields knew he was throwing a simulated game today. He just didn't know that the first hitter of the game would be a hall of famer.

"I didn't know who I was going to be throwing to," Fields admitted. "Last week, I threw BP to some minor leaguers. I had no idea. All I knew I was going to throw to hitters."

Those hitters turned out to be Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Sweeney and Yuniesky Betancourt.

"I saw those guys and it was pretty cool," Fields said.

Griffey and Sweeney watched Fields closely behind the cages when he was warming up. Griffey even had a few comments about the velocity of Fields' fastball.

"It's comin'," he said.

Griffey also got the honor of stepping in against Fields first. And first pitch he saw was a fastball that sailed so high and wide that the catcher couldn't even get a glove on it.

Griffey paused and stepped out of the box, looked at Fields and said, "settle down, it's only going to sting for a second."

"He was giving me a hard time," Fields admitted.

Fields only threw one strike to Griffey which he fouled off. But the rest were balls.

He looked a little more poised against Sweeney and Betancourt, keeping the ball around the plate. Both players did put the ball in play off him, but nothing with any pace.

"It definitely adds a little adrenaline," Fields said. "I was just trying to calm myself down and make pitches. It took a little while, but once I calmed down, got myself in a rhythm. I felt a lot better."

Each player took three turns in the cage, the final two at-bats, Fields threw from the stretch. He failed to throw Griffey a strike. Against Sweeney, he snapped a nice curveball for a strike. But Sweeney saw something beyond that, he saw Fields tip the pitch, letting him know the curveball was coming. Initially Sweeney wanted to tell Fields, but waited till after the at-bat was done.

"He saw me do something a little different when I came set," Fields said. "There was a little hitch in there. It was really cool. I've wondered if I've done that for a while, even in college. Nobody's ever said anything to me about so I just assumed I was alright. It was good to hear that. It's something that I get to keep working on."

Ok here's a quick rundown from the morning meeting with manager Don Wakamatsu.

Brandon Morrow will throw a bullpen today at 10:45, and he's scheduled to make an appearance on Friday in Mesa against the Cubs.

Top draft pick Josh Fields is set to throw a simulated game today at 11:20 and Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Sweeney, Yuni Betancourt will all take swings against Fields. Wakamatsu said that Fields will also make his first appearance in a Cactus League game this weekend in Tuscon, most likely on Saturday. LHP Cesar Jimenez and RHP Jose Pena will also pitch in the simulated game.

It will be a lot of activity for Griffey today. He'll also play in the game against his former manager Lou Piniella. Wakamatsu said that Griffey will probably play every other day and start going deeper into games. They will still go day-to-day on Beltre whether they will play.

I'll be at both of those things and offer reports. Also I'm trying to track down Jack Zduriencik to ask him about the situation with WBC, particularly Felix Hernandez and Carlos Silva and the mix-up with manager Luis Sojo.

Here's a today's lineups ...

Cubs
Aaron Miles 2B
Ryan Theriot SS
Micah Hoffpauir 1B
Jake Fox DH
Mike Fontentot 3B
Reed Johnson CF
Doug Deeds RF
Koyie Hill C
So Taguchi LF
Rich Harden P

Mariners
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Yuni Betancourt SS
Ken Griffey DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
Russell Branyan 1B
Wlad Balentien LF
Mike Wilson RF
Rob Johnson C
Ronny Cedeno 2B
Garrett Olson P

It's official I'm in Peoria, along with my new roommate Larry LaRue, who was kind enough to allow me to stay with him for the next 10 days. I arrived here in Arizona after leaving snow-covered Tacoma to 70 degree temps and ready to see some baseball, unfortunately the Mariners had the day off, so tomorrow I'll have to wait till tomorrow when the Cubs and Loouuuuuuuuuuuuu come to Peoria. Speaking of Lou, he's losing patience with some of his hitters. I like it when Lou loses his patience.

So as the title suggest, it's a links post. And let's get to it.

The Mariners lost $4.53 million last year as an organization. It doesn't surprise me since something like seven of the 10 smallest crowds in Safeco Field history came last season. While it may not seem like much money in the grand scheme of how much an organization spends, think about this, the Mariners made $17.8 million in 2007.

SI's Albert Chen had this look at the Mariners chances this season.

First of all wrapping up the WBC a little.

Here's the results and schedule as pool play starts to wrap up.

Japan advanced to the next round, but did lose the last game of their Pool play to Korea 1-0.

Ichiro had a key hit late and represented the tying run, but was stranded there.

Freelancer and all-around good guy Brad Lefton has this story for the NY Times about many of the younger Japanese players feeling like they are getting to play with their idols - Ichiro Suzuki and Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Kaz Sasaki and Ichiro talk before the game.

Speaking of the WBC and Ichiro, Tim Lincecum isn't really that into the WBC or the idea of pitching in it. But he's enthused about facing Ichiro in Safeco Field this summer when the Giants head north of interleague play.

Over in Pool B,
Australia behind Chris Snelling's two homers worked over Mexico.

In Pool C, the U.S. crushed Venezuela yesterday. But for Mariners fans, there is still a buzz over what prospect Phillippe Aumont did in his appearance against the U.S on Saturday. I'm not going to break it all down, Jason Churchill of Prospect Insider has a detailed account of it. Obviously, Aumont is still a few years away but it's nice to see him have success at the highest level.

Venezuela manager Luis Sojo tried to blame the reasoning for him using both Felix Hernandez and Carlos Silva in the first game of pool play was because the Mariners demanded it. But GM Jack Zduriencik sent an email to Yahoo's Gordon Edes saying that wasn't the case.

In Pool D, the Netherlands

Buster Olney's main blog post was about Mr. Stephen Strasburg, or as I'm going to call him "the Mariners' impossible dream."

I really like the comment that he's better than A.J. Burnett right now.

As I was perusing a few stories about Strasburg, I came across a recap of his latest outing. It mentions that he gave up a rare home run. How rare? Just the second of his entire career. Two homers? Against guys using metal bats? Then again, why bother even bringing this stuff up, there's no way he doesn't get taken by the Nationals.

Bellarmine Prep grad and Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester is reported to have a contract extension offer that will enable him to send any future children to Bellarmine, along with a few hundred of their closest friends.

Around the AL West ...
The Texas Rangers think their pitching is improved enough to contend. Haven't we heard this every spring since, well, since A-Rod said the team could contend.

Perhaps more realistic and frightening is Josh Hamilton's continued work on his swing and hitting approach that should give him more consistency at the plate.

For the second straight season, the Angels will start the season with one of their top pitchers on the DL. Last year it was John Lackey, this year it will most likely be Ervin Santana, who has elbow issues.

SI's Jon Heyman has this story about the A's decision to spend money wasn't from GM Billy Beane, but more the owner.

Around baseball ...
Here's an interesting story about the guy who founded baseball-reference.com, a site I use and link to quite often.

Phil Rogers has a story about how a doctor is looking to get the type of success with shoulder reconstruction that you are seeing in elbow reconstruction.

Remember this name for the late rounds of your fantasy draft or perhaps as a midseason pick-up - Tommy Hanson. The Braves prospect is turning heads.

The Seattle Mariners needed back-to-back home runs in the first inning, then three consecutive sacrifice bunts in the seventh to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 11-7.

They needed all that offense in part because Seattle pitchers walked eight batters, something manager Don Wakamatsu wasn't happy with.

"Some of those were four-pitch walks by our bullpen, and that just won't cut it," he said.

Homers by Wladimir Balentien and Russell Branyan put the Mariners up 4-0 early, but the Diamondbacks caught them a 7-7.

Then Jamie Burke, Ronny Cedeno and Tyson Gillies dropped bunts, and when Arizona's infield couldn't handle two of them, Seattle scored four runs.

The victory left the Mariners 6-2-1 heading into a day off.

And the legend grows.

Ken Griffey Jr. played his second game of the spring, walked twice and told his manager he planned to single in his third at-bat – then joked that he’d just keep running down the right field line toward the Seattle clubhouse.

Well, Junior singled leading off the fourth inning, rounded first, and saw that Wakamatsu was sending in a pinch-runner.

Griffey threw a quick wave and was gone – trotting down the line and away.

“I waved, Don waved and I was gone,” Griffey said.

In the bottom of the fifth: Seattle 7, Arizona 4.

Seattle turned the first inning into a fireworks display, with back-to-back home runs by Wladimir Balentien and Ruseell Branyan pushed the Mariners to a 4-0 lead over Arizona.

Afrer Franklin Gutierrez singled, Ken Griffey Jr. worked a one-out walk and Balentien hit a long home run to left-center field - his second in as many days.

Russell followed with his first of the spring.

Today’s Seattle lineup features Ken Griffey Jr. as the designated hitter – his second appearance of the spring – and a cast of characters from across the expanse of a 63-man spring roster.

Griffey, along with Mike Sweeney and Russell Branyan, is being brought along slowly, the plan being not to have ready until late in camp. There’s no need to rush anyone, and doing so would risk the kind of minor injury that could nag all year.

Here’s the lineup, and the spring numbers that mean so much …

Franklin Gutierrez CF (.462 )
Yuniesky Betancourt SS (.333)
Ken Griffey Jr. DH (.000)
Wladimir Balentien LF (.500)
Russell Branyan 1B (.250)
Matt Tuiasosopo 3B (.500)
Mike Morse RF (.300)
Jamie Burke C (.000)
Ronny Cedeono 2B (.333)
Ryan Rowland-Smith P (13.50 ERA)

Manager Don Wakamatsu sees this phase of spring training as the chance to see players who might not make the team but could help the Seattle Mariners during the year.

And in a 12-1 loss to Oakland, Wakamatsucame away with a list of five positive things he'd seen:
David Aardsma's pitching.
Franklin Gutierrez's at-bats.
A spectacular defensive play by Yuniesky Betancourt.
A couple of solid at-bats by Bryan LaHair.
Matt Tuiasosopo's overall improved play.

The Mariners are now 4-2-1 in Cactus League play.

It’s been the best of games, it’s been the worst of games, and here in the sixth inning the Seattle Mariners are trailing Oakland, 5-1.

Jarrod Washburn was banged around for seven hits and four runs in 1 1/3 innings, hitting Jason Giambi twice in the process. Later in the game, David Aardsma hit Giambi a third time.

This is no game for sissies.

In the field, the Mariners have made two brilliant plays. Catcher Rob Johnson picked a runner off second base to end one inning, and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt made a film-at-11 play to end the third.

Betancourt went way to his right to backhand a ground ball, then threw off-balance and still on the move – a strike to first base to get Kurt Suzuki.

On the bases, the Mariners have been less than brilliant.

In the fourth inning, for instance, they were rallying from a 5-0 deficit when Prentice Redman rounded second base too far and was thrown out. Johnson then stole second base, tried to steal third but broke too early and was caught in a run down for the third out.

Oops.

It’s spring. Bad things happen to good people. Weird things happen to all people. But expect the Mariners coaching staff to discuss aggressive base running and dopey base running soon.

It's the World Baseball Classic. It's the team's decision o bring veterans like Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Sweeney and Russell Branyan along slowly.

It's a lot of things, but the Mariners are having trouble putting many regulars in any given lineup.

Here's todays vs. Oakland:

Franklin Gutierrez CF
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Jeff Clement DH
Chris Shelton 1B
Bryan LaHair LF
Mike Morse 3B
Ronny Cedeno 2B
Prentice Redman RF
Rob Johnson C
Jarrod Washburn P

I tried to stay up and watch the opening game of the WBC, but I made it through one of Ichiro's at-bats and watched by Yu Darvish throw one inning and fell asleep. Ichiro went hitless again, but need I remind you: "there is no need to panic, all is well!"

Anyway, here is the AP story from the game.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan began the defense of its title with a 4-0 win over China in Thursday's opening game of the World Baseball Classic.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki went hitless in five at-bats but Shuichi Murata homered in the bottom of the third inning to lead Japan's offense.

"In my first at-bat I didn't get a hit, so I was just trying to get the runner in," Murata said. "I hit a home run in my first game, so that should give me some confidence for the rest of the tournament."

Playing before a near-capacity crowd of 43,428 at Tokyo Dome, Japan took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Norichika Aoki hit a run-scoring single to center field before Murata connected on a two-run homer to left field off China starter Li Chenhao, who took the loss.

Japan widened its lead to 4-0 in the sixth when Kosuke Fukudome came home from third on a balk by reliever Sun Guogiang.

Suzuki, who struggled in tuneup games leading up to the tournament, returned to the leadoff spot after batting third but still couldn't get a hit.

"Ichiro can cause havoc if he gets on base and our pitchers were so focused on keeping him off base" said China's manager Terry Collins. "We were fortunate that he didn't go 5-for-5. He's still the leader of that team."

Japan starter Yu Darvish struck out three, walked one and gave up no hits over four innings to pick up the win.

China is managed by former major league manager Terry Collins, who also has managerial experience in Japan with the Orix Buffaloes.

Given the results of three years ago when China lost to Japan 18-2, Thursday's performance was an improvement. China's pitchers held Japan's star-studded lineup to five hits.

"Any time you can hold a lineup like that to five hits you are doing a good job," Collins said. "I'm very pleased with the way our pitchers played tonight."

Japan is in Pool A of the 16-nation tournament, along with Olympic gold medalists South Korea, China and Taiwan.

The top two teams advance to the second round, which will be played in the United States along with the final on March 23 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

South Korea faces Taiwan on Friday with the winner taking on Japan on Saturday.

Japanese home run king Sadaharu Oh, who guided Japan to the championship three years ago, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Oh was unable to manage Japan in this year's tournament due to health concerns.

Japan manager Tatsunori Hara said he was pleased with the result even though his team didn't score more runs.

"Our pitchers were very good," Hara said. "China's pitchers also did a very good job. I'm not entirely satisfied with four runs, we could have had more. But any time you get the win in international play, you are happy."

The Seattle Mariners lost their first Cactus League game, stopped on four hits by the Angels, who won, 4-2.

It wasn't that close - the Mariners hit only one ball hard until the ninth inning, and then they hit a couple of shots that were caught.
High points? Chris Shelton hit his third home run in his ninth at-bat. Mike Carp came up as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning and tripled.

Other than that, it was a spring game laden with second-stringers on both sides, and the Angels got just enough offense to win.

The loss went to Shawn Kelley, who went 1 1/3 innings, lost a 1-0o lead and left trailing, 2-1.

The Mariners piled up 16 more hits, three of them home runs, and were still beaten by the Australian World Baseball Classic team, 11-9.

Adrian Beltre, Franklin Gutierrez and Ronny Cedeno homered and the Mariners led 8-4 after four innings.

The Mariners relievers, however, had one long, tough night as the Australians beat up Miguel Batista, Roy Corcoran and Mark Lowe.

It was a game that didn't count in the Cactus League standings, but certainly didn't help Mariners pitching.

Afterward, manager Don Wakamatsu praised pitcher Garrett Olson, but said the rest of the group looked flat.

He was right.

After Miguel Batista failed to get through an inning and lost a 3-1 lead, the Mariners entered the third inning down, 4-3.

Adrian Beltre homered to tie the game.

Later in the third, Franklin Gutierrez - who'd dropped a sacrifice bunt in the second - hit a three-run home run.

Ronny Cedeno followed with a solo home run.

Granted, all this is coming against pitching that's not quite major league quality. But the Mariners are finding ways to score this spring - using little ball one inning, long ball the next.

This game won't show up in the Cactus League standings or in the official spring statistics. It is, however, another step down the path toward winning - something the Mariners wandered off last season.

The better you play, against any one, any time, the more confident the team gets. It's a long way from facing the Twins on opening day, but given the choice of winning of losing, which would you rather see?

After three: Seattle 8, Australia 4

It's a game that doesn't even count in the spring exhibition game standings, but there's plenty to see in the Seattle vs. Australia contest.

Outfielder Chris Snelling, now 27 and coming off 15 surgeries, is in righ field for Australia.

And George Brett - yes, THAT George Brett - is in the Australian dugout, in uniform. Turns out, he's a friend of another Aussie outfielder, Justin Huber.

Then, there's Griffey.
Playing in his first game, the Mariners designated hitter drew applause for walking into the on-deck circle. He drew more when he walked to the batters box.

How'd he look?

Junior took a strike from lefty Travis Blackley, another former Mariner. Then three consecutive balls, all low, and fouled a 3-1 pitch into the press box. Writers scattered like ducklings.

And on a 3-2 pitch, Junior walked. More applause.

Griffey and Yuniesky Betancourt advanced on a passed ball, and Adrian Beltre singled home a run - with Griffey held at third base and Beltre hustling into second.

Wladimir Balentine grounded out to end the threat.

After one: Seattle 1, Australia 0

Junior's next at-bat came in the third inning, after Mike Morse had doubled home one run, then scored on Ronny Cedeno's single.

With two out, Griffey hit the first pitch to the warning track in straightaway center field.

After a few weeks of workouts and a scheduled off day Tuesday, the Mariners play the Australian World Baseball Classic team tonight.

And, for the first time, Ken Griffey Jr. will play, as will Yuniesky Betancourt and - at third base - Adrian Beltre.

Here's your lineup:
Ronny Cedeno 2B
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Ken Griffey Jr. DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
Russell Branyan 1B
Wladimir Balentien LF
Jeff Clement C
Mike Morse RF
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Garrett Olson P

AP Photo

Since I'm like many of you - reduced to reading about baseball instead of watching it - I thought I'd give you a glimpse into some of the stuff I've been finding on the internet over the last few days.

It seems that Ichiro Suzuki is battling a hitting slump as the Japanese team prepares for the World Baseball Classic. Obviously, Ichiro not hitting is mildly newsworthy, but come on, it is spring training. Still, not hitting for the Japanese national team and defending WBC championship team is big news around Japan. And reporters were quite interested in Ichiro's latest game where he went 0-for-5 against the Yomiuri Giants.

The Japan Times has this story on it.

Check out this excerpt ...

Knowing it was just an exhibition and he has time to adjust his issues, Ichiro still had room to smile when he walked through the mixed zone after the game and jokingly responded to reporters' questions by saying, "I can't hear."

But then apparently Ichiro - as he always does - took questions from the Japanese press and had this quote.

"I'm vexed that I've not coming up with (positive) outcomes," Ichiro said. "I think that way every time, but especially in tense games like this I think so indeed."

First of all, kudos for using the word vex. There's just not enough use of it these days.

In keeping with that idea, it does not vex me that the Japanese media is making a big deal about this. I think it’s hard for people to quantify his popularity in Japan. A couple of Japanese reporters compared him to Tiger Woods or Muhammad Ali in that regard. Basically, they said Ichiro could start walking down a block and wouldn’t make it halfway before the crowd that would gather around him would make it impossible.

And he’s keenly aware of this. He knows he’s the face of Japanese baseball. He takes it very seriously. He’s also aware of the pride Japanese baseball fans felt when Japan won the WBC in 2006 and how much his playing affects the chances for a repeat. But it’s more than just representing the country. He also knows the importance of performing when he’s on the field, which he also mentions later in the story.

So that is why he’s a little more frank when discussing the situation.

It’s a far cry to last spring when many of the local media were reduced to writing a similar story about Ichiro being hitless in his first 21 at-bats of the spring. That day, Ichiro and then manager John McLaren were positively vexed when we started asking questions about the situation. Here’s a few quotes from my story:

From McLaren "I know I am obligated to answer these questions, but how many batting titles has he won?"

From Ichiro with a sarcastic grin on his face: "To tell you the truth, some of this is kind of fun," he said. "To be in a situation this early in spring training and have this kind of a little bit intense environment is something I couldn't experience before. Basically, it's a situation where I need to battle within myself mentally. That's something I haven't experienced this time of the year. ... This is great for me."

More Ichiro, well, being Ichiro: "Part of me said, 'Go through so it can be a hit,' " he said. "But the other part of me said, 'Make this an out so the streak can continue.' "

The Daily Yoimiuri Online also had a similar story, which led with Ichiro going o-fer, but also mentions that Kenji Johjima got a two-run single in the game.

Here's another story on Ichiro, dealing with how much media has covered him in preparation for the WBC. It also mentions that some people connected with the Japanese team and a couple of tabloids weren't happy that Ichiro was perceived to have so much influence over the selection of the team's manager.

Okay, enough of this. The guy is going to hit. In fact, I bet he has two hits in the first official WBC game.

Let's go around baseball ...
Staying along the WBC lines, ESPN's Jayson Stark has this preview of the US Team. In the latest roster shuffle, the US has added Nationals closer Joel Hanrahan, newly acquired DH/slowpitch player Adam Dunn and LaTroy Hawkins to the roster to replace B.J. Ryan, Joe Nathan and Grady Sizemore. Um, those odds of having the US as 2-to-1 favorites might need to be modified slightly.

Former Mariner Joel Pineiro is ready to rebound from last season for the Cardinals. Well, I think we've seen that headline before with Joel.

Tim Dierkes of MLBtraderumors.com lists the 45 worst contracts in baseball. Surprisingly, Kenji Johjima's deal made the list.

Ok I'll admit, I saw this post on Larry Stone's blog at the Times. But I thought I would share with you, if only to torture you. But Stephen Strasburg had a pretty solid game the other day, hitting 102 mph six times in one game.

The blog Bleeding Blue and Teal looks at Strasburg's pitching mechanics.

The LA Times has this story about the growing notion of the A's catching the Angels.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick stopped by Angels camp and wrote about the team's need for more offense. It cost them in the playoffs and now they are missing Mark Teixeira.

Speaking of the Angels, SI ran this excerpt from the book Odd Man Out, written by Matt McCarthy - a former pitching prospect. I found it pretty interesting, but the NY Times has found some factual issues in his reporting for the book.

The A's continued to add their team, signing free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera. What does this mean for the oft-injured Bobby Crosby?

Cubs manager Lou Piniella wasn't happy with something ESPN analyst Steve Phillips said. Um, Lou, that line forms around the corner and down the street.

From the blogosphere ...
Baseball Analysts has this interesting look at payroll versus wins achieved. Well, it's interesting unless you are an M's fan, then it's just painful.

The Hardball Times released their top 100 baseball prospects along with the rankings of each organization's farm system. For quick reference - Carlos Triunfel 51st, Greg Halman 67th, Phillippe Aumont 71st. Oh and Chris Tillman was 24th.

Jarrod Washburn started the game with two scoreless innings and veteran reliever Randy Messenger came in for a one-out save as the Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox, 5-3.

For those scoring at home, the team is now 4-0-1 in the Cactus League, having scored 46 runs in five games.

The team now takes a day off before playiing an exhibition game Wednesday evening against the Australian World Baseball Classic team.

Here's the Mariners spring update for Monday.

If you wonder why the Mariners are collecting veteran left-handed hitters with pop on a team that’s big on aggressive base running, bunting and small ball, consider their game against Chicago.

Bunting, running the bases with aggression and mixing in the timely hit, Seattle built a 5-0 lead.

Ryan Rowland-Smith, following two scoreless innings from Jarrod Washburn, got a little wild, put two White Sox hitters aboard in the fourth inning and – boom – Jim Thome hit a three-run home run.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is why teams, in the American League especially, like veteran boppers. One timely swing and you’re back in the game. The Mariners worked hard for each of their runs.

Chicago got a single, a walk and a home run in the space of a minute, and the game is up for grabs again.

So the Mariners will continue to play small ball with players who seem to be made for it – Reegie Corona, Ronnie Cedeno and Callix Crabbe, for instance.

And when Ken Griffey Jr. and Branyan Russell and Mike Sweeney are ready, they’ll play them and hope for the timely boom.
To the bottom of the fifth: Seattle 5, Chicago 3.

A pair of minor league pitchers in camp early warmed up in the bullpen and then took the main practice field in camp – and took turns pitching to hitters they’d heard about but never seen up close.

Travis Mortimor, a lefty, and Jake Wild, a right-hander, faced Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Sweeney, Russell Branyan and Yuniesky Betancourt.

“All the way through spring training we’ll have quite of few of these sessions on the back fields,” manager Don Wakamatsu said. “We want these guys feeling real comfortable going into the season. Anybody we can rest on their off day and still get at-bats without having wear-and-tear on their body, we’ll try to do that.”

Of the four hitters, only Branyan had played in a spring game – the other three hadn’t face anyone other than coaches in batting practice.

“Mentally, you have to approach it like it’s a big-league ballgame,” Sweeney said. “You’re preparing to play big-league baseball physically and mentally, no matter who you’re facing.”

The guys got their hacks, took pitches, got a feel for live pitching again. It was another step to in the slow road the Mariners are asking veteran players to take. The object: to avoid injuries, build strength and have them ready for opening day.

Third base for the Seattle Mariners is now divided into two distinctly separate issues – life with Adrian Beltre, and life after him.
In the last year of his contract, Beltre is a two-time Gold Glove winner and a solid offensive player whose work ethic has made him a clubhouse leader. He plays hurt, he plays hard and yes, extremely well.

For as long as he’s under contract and able to stand, pencil Beltre in at third base. Just how long that will be remains to be seen. The Mariners say they’re open to talking contract extension, but nothing has happened yet.

And if, at the trading deadline in July, Beltre hasn’t extended that contract and contending teams come calling – as they certainly will – Jack Zduriencik will listen.

Then what?

Within the Seattle system, Matt Tuiasosopo is probably the closest young player, and he’s improving. How good he’ll be is an open question. Tuiasosopo has good hands, a strong arm and the ability to hit fastballs hard. Non fastballs? That’s an issue.

On the likely 25-man roster, Mike Morse has played third base and might be a more viable option. His bat has impressed coaches, and his versatility may win him a job out of camp.

Ronnie Cedeno can play anywhere, including third base. In the first two weeks of camp, he’s been as impressive an infielder as the team has, defensively.

What the Mariners do in July depends upon so many factors there’s no real projection except this one – other teams already think of Beltre as someone they’ll be looking for at the deadline.

If Beltre is dealt, life after AB may never quite be the same.

After four games, the Mariners are 3-0-1 in the Cactus League - and have scored 41 runs.

Thirteen of those came in today's 13-6 victory over Texas.

"We're swinging aggressively and working the counts," Don Wakamatsu said.

He could have said they're connecting a lot, too. Four games 53 hits, including seven home run.

We could point out that the hitters are seeing lots of fastballs, that pitchers aren't sharp with sliders and curves and changeups yet, but it's that way for all teams.

Given the great regional nightmare that was last year, wathing the Mariners win - and win with offense - must please Seattle fans who have taken a beating along with their team.

Brandon Morrow continues his transition from reliever to starting pitcher, while teammates Chris Woodward and Chris Shelton continue to make early good impressions.

Morrow pitched one-inning-plus, during which he walked three men and threw, as he said, 'about 15 balls in a row.'

What happened out there?

“I’d throw one pitch lacksadaisically, get amped on the next one and you can’t pitch that way,” Morrow said. “You’ve got to be the same on every pitch. I’m trying to find an effort level I can sustain for seven innings.”

Morrow's search will likely take most of the spring.

Woodward and Shelton don't have that long to make their case unless they do well early, and both hit their second Cactus League homers in Game 4.

Shelton hit his on an 0-2 pitch.

Still in the top of the fifth inning, it's Mariners 10, Rangers 3.

Vincente Padilla apparently thinks he's paid by the hour.

The Texas Rangers right-hander took a little more than 30 seconds between pitches in the first inning and the Seattle Mariners emerged with a 4-0 lead.

Padilla walked two, tried various pickoff moves, delayed and hesitated and seemed to doze on the mound.

The Mariners scored on a bases-loaded walk, an RBI single, a passed ball and a ground out.

That 'rally' took up 26 minutes.
The Mariners gave a run back when Josh Hamilton's long fly ball to left field eluded Bryan LaHair for an RBI triple. It should have been caught, but the Mariners are letting LaHair - a first baseman - play in left to get him at-bats.

Even fans enjoying the sun today had trouble applauding this inning.

After one inning and 36 minutes: Seattle 4, Texas 1.

Wladimir Balentien was packed and ready to get to camp early with the Seattle Mariners when a young cousin dropped his passport into water.

And that wasn't the worst part.

The worst part was, Balentien then tore out the wet pages and went about the business of traveling from his home in Curaco to Venezuela and on to the United States.

Venezuelan custom officials took one look at his passport - and the missing pages - and stopped his trip.

So Balentien missed more than 10 days of spring training, arrived in camp on Sunday and will begin trying to win a job.

How much has the absence hurt his chances?

"We won't know that until the end of camp," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "But he's behind, obviously."

Balentien is out of minor league options, so if he doesn't make the team he becomes a free agent. To make the team, he's going to have to prove he's capable of more than the .202 he batted in 71 games last year.

The good news is, he's here.

The early arrival of one Jeremy Abraham Hernandez three days ago has paid a dividend to the Seattle Mariners.

"I was going to leave for the World Baseball Classic today, but I'm not going now until Tuesday," Hernandez said. "I want to stay a bit longer with my family."

The young Hernandez and mother Sandra, are doing well. Their father seems overjoyed, if a bit awed.

When it comes to second base, the question and the answer are the same – Jose Lopez.

Can he play defense well enough to make the Seattle infield an asset, or will he continue to be a make fans and occasionally pitchers seethe about? No, his range isn’t good and yes, catchable ground balls do get by into right field.
And yes, there is depth now in the organization, with Ronnie Cedeno, Reegie Corona, Calix Crabbe, Oswaldo Navarro and Chris Woodward.

But Lopez remains the starting second baseman, a man whose offensive skills – and lack of defensive versatility – give the Mariners few options.

He cannot play shortstop. He could play third if a) there wasn’t a Gold Glover over there already and b) you didn’t really need a good third baseman. Lopez could play first base but a) doesn’t want to and b) the Mariners have better options there.

So, second base it is, and that’s not all bad.

Lopez has worked hard at improving his double play turn, which two years ago was more a thought than an action. And offensively, he’s a 25-year-old whose game is on the rise. When he batted .297 last season, it was while hitting all over the lineup – anywhere from second to eighth to third – he put up career highs with 17 home runs and 89 RBI.

Those are good numbers in any batting order. For a runs-starved Seattle offense, they’re nuclear.

Cedeno is going to make this team and his defense will be a plus when he spells Lopez or shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt. And should Lopez go down with an injury, there are now viable options on defense, if not offense.

Seattle is a deeper club at second base but one without a real option. To improve the Mariners defense at second, they’d have to give up one of their steadiest bats, and that’s a trade they’re not likely to make.