PEORIA, Ariz. — Free-agent signee Nelson Cruz started to make the transition last year, while playing in Baltimore, from outfielder to designated hitter. He also led the majors with 40 home runs.
Look for that positional trend to escalate this season. The Mariners shelled out $57 million in a four-year deal to Cruz because they wanted — needed — an impact bat for the middle of their lineup. Not a suspect glove.
Cruz’s outfield time will be limited primarily to those days when Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon wants to ease the workload on Robinson Cano or Kyle Seager by having them serve as the DH.
Otherwise, Seattle’s outfield shapes up as Austin Jackson in center and lots of options for the corners. Left fielder Dustin Ackley returns, but the Mariners have veteran newcomers in Seth Smith, Justin Ruggiano and Rickie Weeks.
The tentative plan points to Smith and Ruggiano serving as a platoon in right, and Weeks battling Ackley for time in left — if Weeks proves he can play the outfield.
Smith and Ruggiano, if needed, can play a corner, and Ruggiano also is viewed as a viable backup to Jackson in center. Weeks might also draw duty in right field.
So McClendon has a lot of options.
What the Mariners need most is a return to form by Jackson, who proved a massive disappointment last year after arriving from Detroit in a July 31 deadline deal: a .229/.267/.260 slash (batting average/on base percentage/slugging percentage) in 54 games.
If Jackson approaches his career norms (.274/.336/.402), he figures to be a catalyst to what should be a much-improved offense.
The locks
Cruz, Ackley, Jackson, Smith and Ruggiano are all locks. Count Weeks, too, although we slotted him earlier this week among the infielders.
Spring battles
Attention will focus on Weeks’ ability to make a smooth transition to the outfield after spending all 12 of his professional seasons solely as a second baseman. If Weeks succeeds, it ratchets up the pressure on Ackley to avoid the extended slumps that plagued him in the past.
Ackley delivered a .274/.313/.463 slash last year from July 1 through the end of the season. Similar production should keep him in the lineup — at least against right-handed pitchers.
Help if needed
The Mariners armed themselves with veteran depth by re-signing Endy Chavez and Franklin Gutierrez. Both will be in camp on minor-league deals.
Chavez is likely the first option if an opening occurs. Gutierrez didn’t play last year because of ongoing gastrointestinal issues and has lots to prove in terms of health and on-field play.
Signing Weeks also put a serious crimp in any chance for James Jones or Stefen Romero to make the club out of spring training. Both played a lot last year but figure to be on call at Triple-A Tacoma.
Pat Kivlehan and Jordy Lara are each in big-league camp for the first time after producing breakout seasons in the minors. Both should get a long look in the first few weeks.
Kivlehan, a former Everett AquaSox, is more advanced and sufficiently versatile — he can play the infield and outfield corners. He spent most of last season at Double-A Jackson and, if he continues on pace, could warrant a big-league call at some point this year.
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