Expect Wladimir Balentien to be on the Opening
Day roster for the first time in his career.
The Mariners' busy off-season has meant considerable turnover in the outfield, where some new faces figure to either start or share playing time.
Endy Chavez and Franklin Gutierrez were brought in as part of the team's commitment to defense. With Chavez in left, Gutierrez in center and eight-time Gold Glove Award winner Ichiro in right, the Mariners, according to some analysts, have the best defensive outfield in baseball.
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Ken Griffey Jr. will split time between DH and left field, where he'll share duties with Chavez. It's unclear how much Griffey will DH and how much he'll play in left, but hopefully more of the former and less of the latter.
He hasn't looked great in left so far this spring, which is understandable. He's 39, coming off knee surgery and relatively inexperienced in left field. Griffey wants to play in left regularly, but he just doesn't have the mobility to do so effectively, especially not at Safeco where he would have a lot of ground to cover.
Griffey can still hit, though, and he'll need to do so. Ichiro should get his normal 200+ hits, 40+ RBI and bat over .300, but they won't get a whole lot of offense from Chavez or Gutierrez, who combined for 53 RBI last year. The Mariners lost Raul Ibanez and his team-high 110 RBI, so Griffey needs to produce.
With Griffey, Chavez, Gutierrez and Ichiro all locks to make the team, the big question for the remainder of spring training will be the fifth outfielder.
It's hard to see anyone taking that spot over Wladimir Balentien.
Despite his late arrival, he's had a nice spring, hitting .395 with three home runs and nine RBIs in 15 games.
Those haven't just been cheap hits off minor league pitchers. In Monday's win against the Giants, Balentien was 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs off Randy Johnson and Tim Lincecum, who have a combined six Cy Young Awards between them. He also hit a two-RBI triple off the right-field wall off closer Jonathan Broxton in last night's 8-6 win against the Dodgers.
Considering that the current outfield of Griffey, Chavez, Ichiro and Gutierrez consists of three left-handed hitters and only one player with any significant power, it makes sense to add a righty with some pop. Balentien's power potential and the fact that he can play all three outfield positions gives him the advantage over Mike Morse, who seems like the only other legitimate candidate.
Furthermore, Balentien is out of options and would have to clear waivers if he didn't make the team. It's unlikely the Mariners would risk that, given his potential and the fact that he's only 24.
Balentien has had his share of offensive struggles (he was up and down from Tacoma last year and hit .202 in 71 games for the Mariners), but he has never spent an entire season in the big leagues. He turned down an invitation to play for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, an indication that he's dedicated to improving his swing and making the team. There's a good chance he will.
25 Player Pyramid: Roster projections so far...
C: Kenji Johjima
C: Rob Johnson
OF: Endy Chavez
OF: Franklin Gutierrez
OF: Ichiro Suzuki
OF/DH: Ken Griffey Jr.
OF: Wladimir Balentien
Reach Brady Henderson at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
