HeraldNet: What to do with a stubborn first ... uh .. second baseman



RECENT POSTS:
• This is a big road trip, but it's not the biggest June 26 • Betancourt going on DL, Johjima coming off June 25 • Just like last year, Beltre's shoulder has gone bad again June 24 • Breaking news: Ichiro has a grass stain, thanks to Yuni June 24 • Ailing Beltre can't make the offense's late wakeup call June 23

Archives:



RELATED ARTICLES:
• Mariners score in 9th, beat Red Sox 3-2 July 5 • The curious case of Brandon Morrow July 5 • Applaud baseball fans for their All-Star vote July 5 • Mariners score in 9th, beat Red Sox 3-2 July 4 • Mariners win 7-6 on Johnson's two-run double in 11th inning July 4 • Diamondbacks rally for 11-7 win over Rockies July 4 • Guerrero homers, drives in 4 as Angels beat Orioles 11-4 July 4 • Sizemore homers as Indians beat A's July 4 • Marlins beat Bucs for 4th win in past 5 games July 4 • Mariners' minor leaguer McOwen hits in 40th straight game July 4


ADVERTISEMENT <script language=JavaScript src="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/169233/0/vj?z=heraldnet&ct=122081&dim=169231&abr=$scriptiniframe"></script><noscript><a href="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/169233/0/cc?z=heraldnet"><img src="http://ads.heraldnet.com/servlet/ajrotator/169233/0/vc?z=heraldnet&ct=122081&dim=169231&abr=$imginiframe" width="160" height="600" border="0"></a></noscript>

Mariners Blog

September 30, 2008

What to do with a stubborn first ... uh .. second baseman

Posted at 10:25 am by By Kirby Arnold

Two days after the Mariners' 2008 season mercifully ended, there might be a problem with the 2009 picture. Jose Lopez doesn't want to play first base.

Nobody knows if he'll be asked to play first, but he looked decent there for a dozen games in September while the Mariners played prospect Luis Valbuena at second. Valbuena showed nice range in the field and a glimpse of a line-drive stroke with the bat.

So what happens if the Mariners' new general manager decides that 2009 truly is a rebuilding season and is willing to live with growing pains that will make the club better in the longrun? What happens if the M's decide to give Valbuena a season-long look at second and ask Lopez to stay at first?

All we know now is how Lopez would feel about it. "No way," he said Sunday.

The Mariners need offensive production out of their first baseman and, if they're not willing to go after it via trade or free agent signing this offseason, Lopez could be their best option.

But, if they'll have to drag him to first base kicking and screaming, why bother? Lopez is young, he's cheap ($1.9 million in 2009) and seems to have rounded an important corner in remaining consistent from the beginning of the season to the end.

The Mariners would love to keep that, but if it means his reluctance to play another position will stunt the progress of a kid like Valbuena, then maybe the club should look at what Lopez could bring via trade.

It's one reason the next few months will be so interesting.

Return to Mariners Blog

TODAY'S TOP JOBS

View All Top Jobs

>> view all top homes

>> view all homes