Mariners Blog
Geoff Baker covers the Mariners for The Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout spring training, and during the season.
March 13, 2008 9:01 AM
Roster cuts
Posted by Geoff Baker
The Mariners are running through their fielding drills at the moment, minus some players after a handful of roster cuts were announced this morning. None of them of much import or surprise. The biggest name on the list is No. 1 draft pick Phillippe Aumont, who will have to play in a professional game at some point before he's going to make the majors. He'll go to minor league camp until the team figures out where to start him off. That ends Seattle's streak of promoting No. 1 picks straight to the majors at one year.
Flip to the next page for the others on the list.
Optioned to Class AAA:
RHP Joe Woerman
INF Yung Chi Chen
INF Bryan LaHair
Re-Assigned to minor league camp:
RHP Brodie Downs
RHP Stephen Kahn
LHP Robert Rohrbaugh
C Jair Fernandez
C Adam Moore
C Brant Ust
OF Bronson Sardinha
INF Mark Kiger
"We know what some of those guys we sent down are all about,'' Mariners manager John McLaren told reporters this morning. "So do you.''
Hear some audio on it right here.
Here are the lineups for today's game in Peoria. Yes, Richie Sexson is the DH. McLaren is going to do that from time to time to get other guys more playing time elsewhere. Today, Jose Vidro is the first baseman, a position he could play at points this year. Mike Morse will also get some spring action at first. But no, the plan is not to make Sexson a DH this season.
Giants vs. Mariners
San Francisco Giants (4-11):
28 Rajai Davis CF
57 Eugenio Velez 2B
2 Randy Winn RF
5 Ray Durham DH
14 Fred Lewis LF
19 Kevin Frandsen 3B
21 Justin Leone 1B
50 Eliezer Alfonzo C
22 Ivan Ochoa SS
----------------------------
32 Kevin Correia RHP
Other Pitchers:
22 Alex Hinshaw LHP
34 Steve Kline LHP
37 Jack Taschner LHP
43 Billy Sadler RHP
54 Victor Santos RHP
64 Merkin Valdez RHP
80 Sergio Romo RHP
Seattle Mariners (6-8):
51 Ichiro Suzuki CF
3 Jose Vidro 1B
28 Raul IbaƱez LF
44 Richie Sexson DH
6 Brad Wilkerson RF
9 Jeff Clement C
13 Miguel Cairo SS
23 Tug Hulett 2B
12 Mike Morse 3B
----------------------------
56 Jarrod Washburn LHP
Other Pitchers:
20 J.J. Putz RHP
41 R.A. Dickey RHP
46 Sean White RHP
48 Roy Corcoran RHP
58 Cha Seung Baek RHP
62 Cesar Jimenez LHP
NOTES UPDATE 10:47 a.m.: To those asking in the comments thread, I wouldn't read much into Tug Hulett still being here. As we wrote when he was first acquired, he is here to help push Jose Lopez somewhat. Can't do that from the minors. But he isn't going to make this team, especially not as a non-roster player. I wouldn't read much into any of these early cuts or stay-ons. It should get a little more serious next week.
Posted by California Bob Kelly
9:23 AM, Mar 13, 2008
Pretty much agree with previous post, although LaHair, Morse, or Adam Moore, a great young hitter, may be the apparent heir to 1B after this season. LaHair and Moore both hit with consistency and Moore adds big time power. Hope to see them soon wearing M's blue.
Posted by Charles
10:13 AM, Mar 13, 2008
very interesting that tug hulett didn't get sent down and is starting today.
Posted by jujay
10:35 AM, Mar 13, 2008
Yeah I thought Chen would stay longer than tug...
Posted by Chris from Bothell
10:40 AM, Mar 13, 2008
Hm. Here begins today's Tugapalooza.
Should we read anything into Tug still being here? Are they taking a longer look for any particular reason, or is this seasoning / reward / exposure so that they learn more about how the big league folks go about their business?
Posted by oregongal
11:12 AM, Mar 13, 2008
MLB.com did a survey of scouts to ask about the "best" players. Mad props to Ichiro (And it's clear that Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki has a toolbox like none other in the game), but also some love for Beltre (You'd want the Dodgers' Juan Pierre laying down a bunt for you, and you'd want the Mariners' Adrian Beltre or the Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman at third base to pick it up). Yuni gets a second mention for best infielder.
Full list at http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/news/scouts_select/scouts_select.jsp.
Posted by scrapiron
11:38 AM, Mar 13, 2008
What are McLaren's thoughts on Jimenez? Does he have a chance to unseat O'Flaherty as the left-handed setup man, or does Eric have the job nailed down?
Posted by M's Fan
11:49 AM, Mar 13, 2008
Good to see Tui still in the mix. Geoff: What level do you think he will start the season? and: How many options does he have left?
Thanks again for the great coverage. I really enjoy the sights and sounds!
Posted by KennewickMA
12:52 PM, Mar 13, 2008
Here's the link to the Scouts article mentioned by oregongal for MLB.com
Aug 19, 08 - 04:52 PM
Game thread, Mariners vs. White Sox, 8-19
Aug 19, 08 - 04:08 PM
Love this cartoon
Aug 19, 08 - 09:08 AM
Nah, on second thought
Aug 18, 08 - 08:56 PM
Same as it ever was
Aug 18, 08 - 04:45 PM
Game thread, Mariners vs. White Sox, 8-18

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Posted by Ziasudra
9:09 AM, Mar 13, 2008
The only real surprise is what took so long for some, esp. some pitchers.
I assume Yung and LaHair were disappointed, but they can tear up AAA and be ready for mid-season promotion. Same goes for Rohrbaugh, who will see some of his fellow mound staff following him as soon as the regulars get more innings.