Cactus League Game 26 – Mariners at Rockies
First things first – the M’s made the first of three roster moves ahead of tomorrow’s deadline by optioning Shawn Kelley to AAA. This is something of a surprise, as I think most of us thought he was safe. He put up decent numbers this spring, but his fastball’s still not back where it was in 2010. In fact, it’s not back where it was last year, when he was coming off of partial Tommy John surgery. It’s gone from 94 mph in 2009 to 93mph in 2010 to 91.5 last year to a tick under 91 this spring. That’s not entirely fair, as Kelley’s velo would presumably be higher later in the year, but it’s obviously not where the M’s wanted it. Jack Zduriencik explained the reasoning to Greg Johns here.
Felix Hernandez mentioned the fact that he was in fact throwing a cutter yesterday in a post-game Q and A with reporters. I wouldn’t say he has a good feel for the pitch yet and the FB velocity drop is still perplexing, but it’s hard to quibble with yesterday’s results. A part of me is stunned that Felix can be effective at 89-90, even in a Cactus League game, but a larger part of me is no longer capable of being surprised by the myriad ways Felix can be awesome.
Jesus Montero’s fine.
The full-season minor league affiliates kick off their 2012 season on Thursday – all four are at home. If you’re local, Tacoma’s taking on Salt Lake (Angels) – it’ll be a good opportunity to check out Catricala, Carlos Triunfel and Chance Ruffin. If you’re near Jackson, Tennessee, one of the big three pitching prospects figures to get the opening day start. Hell, Jackson’s one of most intriguing minor league affiliates in baseball this year. High Desert hosts Lancaster (Houston), while Clinton hosts Burlington (Athletics).
Erasmo Ramirez gets a spot start today, which (together with Kelley’s demotion) solidifies his presence on the 25 man roster. It’d be odd to pitch him today if he was going to head to Tacoma tomorrow, and taking a righty out of the pen would seem to make the remaining righties pretty safe. Alex Liddi and Charlie Furbush figure to be the other two sent down. It’s just nice to see Erasmo get longer outings, as he figures to be the team’s de facto #6 starter.
The line-up for today’s game (on 710am/Mariners Radio and Root Sports tv):
1: Kawasaki (SS)
2: Ackley (2B)
3: Seager (3B)
4: Olivo (C)
5: Saunders (CF)
6: Liddi (1B)
7: Peguero (RF)
8: Wells (LF)
9: Jaso (DH)
SP: Ramirez
Go M’s.
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36 Responses to “Cactus League Game 26 – Mariners at Rockies”
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I’m happy to see Kawasaki in the leadoff spot. I know he’s no great shakes, but he’s just so much fun to watch! And I’d prefer to see him there than Figgins, in any case.
What’s the over/under on how many days into the season Figgins will get cut?
“What’s the over/under on how many days into the season Figgins will get cut?”
I am going to put it at 64 days, Westy – assuming Day 1 was March 28.
What’s the over/under on how many days into the season (it should be) for Figgins to be cut?
7 days from last week Wednesday
It’s fun though to have a lineup that can be read as “Chone Figgins has been DFA’d”… Even if it’s not true. What’s the old saying “What you can’t see, won’t hurt you.”
(Wonder how many times Jaso has DH’d in his career? That’s another fun element of this lineup…)
Marc, I was actually thinking yesterday, as much as Felix relies on movement of his pitches (I liked Montero’s description of “it’s like the ball’s invisible”), a few MPH slower might actually make him MORE difficult to hit if it means additional movement. His curve yesterday looked like it crossed the plate at 4 feet, and then bounced into the catcher’s crotch. Nasty stuff.
Has Lurch ever played RF before?
I looked it up, he played 11 innings there last year for the M’s.
And he split time there for Tacoma last year. He actually played 8 games in Center for Tacoma last year!
So if Liddi goes, that would mean that Peguero has made the team, at least until Carp comes back. Too bad, I was hoping Peguero would go back to Tacoma and work on strike zone recognition.
Brad Adam:
1) Muno? NO.
2) Ichiro look-alike? NO AGAIN.
Congratulations to Dustin Ackley for keeping his food down today. Welcome back to the lineup.
Ichy Jr leading off with a hit. He’s batting something like .700 at this point. (I kid, but close.)
I’m liking Kawasaki. He’ll be fun to watch when he gets to play.
Paul-
And when he hits leadoff, he affords our affable announcers the opportunity to say “Allright, ‘let the good times roll’…!”
(that one’s for the old people in the room)
Not a good start for Erasmo.
Not a great outing for Erasmo so far today.
Beat ya to it, Marc!
Hope Saunders and Ackley get a couple of good at bats later in this game, hope they are feeling good today.
Good to see a good swing by Wells. He’s going to have to earn some playing time by getting hits early, apparently, this year.
Ringing double to right for Casper Wells. He needed that.
Wow, you’re quick, Paul B.
I’m listening to the radio, while working, so maybe it is a little ahead of the TV?
Ackley had a good at bat, now it is Saunders’ turn. Nice.
Good to see him hit it hard the other way. I’d still love to hear that he’s addressed his big problem w/inside pitches, but hitting outside pitches hard (instead of dribbling them to SS-2B) is progress.
Jaso is not having a good spring. Having not been able to watch any of the games I don’t know what’s up. Is he just not getting good swings on the ball, are his mechanics bad, or what?
Liddi has looked terrible at first, every time they’ve stuck him there.
I have a question for you Marc…
If Guti fails to stay healthy, and Saunders fails to rebound, do you think Wedge & Z will consider moving Ackley to center, and let Seager play second?
I’d assume they’d look at outside sources first (Peguero, Robinson, and Wilson aren’t real options), but at some point, you figure they’ll improvise with the strengths they have.
nice!double nice!
Four errors already for the M’s. Brutal.
Wow, they’re really lightin’ them up now.
Somebody’s lightin’ somebody up, that’s for sure.
Not a good day for Mariners center fielders, defensively.
Whenever I see Olivo chasing a ball most other catchers would’ve caught, I think – what, exactly, is the concern about Montero again?
@argh
Check the time-stamp!
Liddi forgot to check the runner.
Liddi seems to be making the “last position guy cut” thing easier on the staff (and easier on Peguero, for the time being).
Too bad. I don’t know why, but I really root for the kid… I guess because between him and Catricalla they’re the only two prototypical power prospects for third base. It’d be nice to see one of them (or Martinez in the future) take the job and secure it.
But Liddi doesn’t even look comfortable at 1st, defensively– just catching the throws from the infield.
Maybe next year.
^I feel the same. He’ll likely get the call once they do something with Figgins though.
Wow, give Peguero credit for NOT getting caught off the bag.
Well, at least we’re still tied for the regular season’s best record.
Re: “What’s the over/under on how many days into the season (it should be) for Figgins to be cut?”
Speaking of over/under, the over/under date of the first baserunning out by the agressive/foolhardy Mariners is Apriil 7.
The smart money is with the under.