LAKEWOOD – Just like last year and the year before, Greg Dobbs will go to spring training with the Seattle Mariners and try to win a place on the big-league club.
Despite the appearance that some things never change for the longtime Mariners prospect with the sweet left-handed swing, everything has in the past year for Dobbs.
The Mariners designated him for assignment on Dec. 20 and took him off the 40-man major league roster after he cleared waivers, a move that raised plenty of questions about where he stands in the team’s plans.
Do the Mariners still have as much faith in Dobbs as he does?
What are the chances he will win a place on the opening-day roster, which he did last year after a strong spring training?
By not being on the 40-man roster, does Dobbs have any hope of becoming a Mariner again? Or would everyone be served better if the team just traded him? Michael O’Leary / The Herald
All those questions, and a whole lot more, have swirled through Dobbs’ mind since the Mariners designated him for assignment, and they have led him to one conclusion.
“Last year was like any spring training for me, and this year will be too,” Dobbs said Wednesday at English Crossing Elementary School, where the Mariners’ caravan stopped for an afternoon assembly.
“I’m going to put my best foot forward and if I hit .300 like I did last spring training, and if that’s good enough to make the club like last year and they choose to bring me on, I would be more than happy to do that.”
One thing is certain. Dobbs won’t hang his head over being lopped off the 40-man roster, even though he hit impressively the final month of the season, with a .300 average in 80 at-bats.
He describes the events of his offseason with one word, “Interesting.”
“I didn’t really see it coming,” Dobbs said. “I thought before they would designate me that I would be traded. Or at least I was hoping that, just for the fact that there are so many guys at my position.”
Dobbs, a third baseman when he broke into pro ball with the Everett AquaSox in 2001, made himself a more versatile player over the years, with an ability to also play first base and left field. He knew first base was locked up last year when the M’s signed Richie Sexson, then third base when they signed Adrian Beltre.
Versatility, plus his offensive potential and the Mariners’ need for a left-handed hitter off the bench, got Dobbs a major league job when the team broke camp last year. He struggled early, getting only occasional at-bats and hitting .176 before the Mariners sent him to Class AAA Tacoma on June 17.
With consistent playing time for the Rainiers, Dobbs whacked Pacific Coast League pitching for a .321 average. Recalled by the Mariners on Aug. 20, he continued to hit well, going 24-for-80 the rest of the season.
“I felt I did a good job, being a rookie and being asked to come in and face closers the first half of the season,” Dobbs said. “Then my time in Triple-A proved that I can hit.”
Still, when the Mariners addressed their needs in the offseason by signing catcher Kenji Johjima, pitcher Jarrod Washburn, DH Carl Everett and outfielder Matt Lawton, someone had to leave the 40-man roster.
“When it happened, it was a huge shock,” Dobbs said. “In retrospect, I realize they have to do what they have to do.
“But at the same time, do I feel I deserve a shot to play in the big leagues? I think I can continue to be productive and help a team. Do I want to be here? I do. I came up in this organization and had a lot of success in this organization. But the elements have changed a bit. Now, is there another team that would want to give me a shot, with 300, 400, 500 at-bats, to really prove myself? I think I can do it.”
Dobbs said what he endured in the past year is typical in the ups and downs of baseball.
“Last year was a huge up for me, making the big-league club for the first time,” he said. “That was a huge, huge thrill for me and my family. I had knocked the door down. Now I’ve got to try and stay.”
Final exhibitions in Portland, Tacoma: The Mariners will play their final two exhibition games against Class AAA competition close to home, facing the Portland Beavers on March 31 in Portland and the Tacoma Rainiers on April 1 in Tacoma.
The game at Portland will start at 7:05 p.m.; the Tacoma game at 1:05. Tickets for those games will be handled by the Portland and Tacoma clubs.
The regular season begins April 3 when the Mariners face the Angels at 2:05 p.m. at Safeco Field.
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