The Seattle Mariners will take the field for the first time since September tomorrow when they play the San Diego Padres in their opening spring training game.
Over the next month, the Mariners will make some key decisions on starting jobs and final roster spots. Brad Miller versus Chris Taylor for the starting shortstop position and Taijuan Walker against Roenis Elias for the No. 5 spot in the rotation will be the two key battles to watch prior to Opening Day.
Win or lose, all four of those players will have a place in Seattle at some point down the line. For others, this spring training could be critical for their future with the club.
Most long-term members of the organization will be safe either in Seattle or the minors after spring training, but a few are potentially on the chopping block.
Willie Bloomquist, UTIL
Bloomquist was brought in last offseason on a two-year, $5.8 million contract to act as Seattle's primary utility man. Last season, he hit .278/.297/.346 while playing six different positions in 47 games before undergoing microfracture knee surgery in August.
That knee surgery is why Bloomquist is in danger of being cut this spring. While he has indicated he's ready to play, according to Bob Dutton of The Tacoma News Tribune, it's reasonable to expect that a 37-year-old may not be able to completely recover from a major knee operation.
The Mariners were concerned enough about Bloomquist to add Rickie Weeks on a one-year deal last month. Weeks projects as the club's primary utility man and has much more upside at the plate than Bloomquist.
Seattle's bench isn't exactly set, and there's certainly a possibility that both Weeks and Bloomquist could be on the final 25-man roster. But Bloomquist's role figures to be heavily reduced, and he could be gone if his recovery hits a setback or someone such as minor league utility man Shawn O'Malley flashes in the spring.
Erasmo Ramirez, SP
After a disastrous 5.26 ERA (5.38 FIP) performance last season, Ramirez's future with the Mariners is in serious jeopardy.
He will compete for the final spot in the rotation in the spring. Given the upside of Walker and what Elias has already shown in the major leagues, it seems unlikely that Ramirez will win that battle.
Ramirez would work fine as minor league starting pitching depth in case of an emergency. However, the 24-year-old is out of options, meaning the Mariners would have to stick him in the bullpen or let him go.
Seattle could decide Ramirez is worth hanging onto and give him a relief role, as the projected bullpen dosen’t really have a long reliever. That would require the Mariners to go to an eight-man bullpen, in which case Carson Smith would be a much better candidate for a roster spot than Ramirez.
Manager Lloyd McClendon said that Ramirez isn't even being considered for a bullpen position, via Greg Johns of MLB.com: "We’ve got some talented arms in that bullpen. The competition may be even stiffer down there.”
The best option would be to try and trade Ramirez near the end of the spring rather than cut him for nothing. Barring a monster spring training performance or some injuries, Ramirez doesn't figure to be back in Seattle next season.
Jesus Sucre, C
In a somewhat controversial July, the Mariners released John Buck and committed to Sucre as the primary backup catcher. While Sucre posted a 26 wRC+ in 21 games, Seattle was pleased with his defense and receiving ability.
Still, Sucre will be challenged for his position this spring. His offense is going to be a liability over a full season and just about negates whatever defensive value he has, meaning the Mariners will likely look for an upgrade at some point.
Prospects John Hicks and Tyler Marlette will get looks this spring, but they are unlikely to break camp with the club over Sucre. Hicks in particular is a name to keep an eye on, as he appears to be on the cusp of the majors after an excellent performance at the plate in Double-A and the Arizona Fall League in 2014.
Sucre's main challenger this spring will be veteran John Baker, who was brought in as a non-roster invitee. Baker has put together successful seasons at the plate in the past and is at least average defensively, although his 39 wRC+ in 68 games last year doesn't inspire much confidence.
While Sucre would likely head to the minors rather than being cut, his role is in serious danger of being reduced. Either way, look for Hicks to take over a couple of months into the season.
All stats via FanGraphs.com unless otherwise noted.
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