Mike Sweeney
The demotion of Chris Shelton Wednesday clears up the Mariners first base picture.
Shelton had been battling veteran Mike Sweeney to become the right-handed half of a first base platoon along with Russell Branyan.
That job now belongs to Sweeney.
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Shelton was reassigned to Tacoma after a solid spring in which he hit .460 (best among Mariners regulars), three home runs and nine RBI. Shelton also had a slugging percentage of .720.
Sweeney had a good spring himself, hitting .429 with a home run and nine RBIs. But the decision between Sweeney and Shelton came down to more than just their respective spring performances.
Sweeney, who is 35 and coming off surgeries to both knees, would have likely retired if he didn't make the team. By having Shelton in Tacoma, the Mariners have an option if Sweeney's knees don't hold up or if he's traded at the deadline. They wouldn't have that second option with Shelton on the team and Sweeney at home with his family.
Also working in Sweeney's favor were his leadership qualities, which was something the team didn't have last year.
So Sweeney will play against left-handed pitchers while Branyan will start against righties. Sweeney also figures to spend some time at designated hitter.
While the Sweeney/Branyan platoon won't blow anyone's mind offensively, the two will combine to produce more than the 2008 Richie Sexson, who was released midway through the season. And they'll do so at a fraction of Sexson's $50 million contract.
Assuming they both finish the season with the Mariners, expect them to combine for around a .265 average with 20 home runs and 70 RBI.
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
1B: Russell Branyan
1B: Mike Sweeney
Reach Brady Henderson at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
