By most indications, the Seattle Mariners’ infield is set.
The trade for first baseman Casey Kotchman early this month seemed like the finishing touch for an alignment that will have him alongside Jose Lopez at second, Jack Wilson at shortstop and Chone Figgins at third.
Appearances can be deceiving, however, and nothing will be set until manager Don Wakamatsu says it is.
Right now, Wakamatsu isn’t saying anything about who is playing where, particularly at second and third base. And that could say a lot about what may be one of the interesting story lines of spring training.
Who’s on third?
More than likely it’ll be Figgins, who has started 515 of his 987 big-league games there. But don’t be surprised if the Mariners explore the possibility with Lopez, who has started three times in his career at third base (making two errors in 13 chances). Spring training will determine that.
The Mariners are confident that Figgins, who has started 86 games in his career at second base, would adapt to more regular play at second. They’re not so sure about Lopez, but they wouldn’t mind finding out.
Lopez’s ability to play third — as well as his desire to do it — will be the biggest factors. Remember two years ago when former manager Jim Riggleman started him in a dozen games at first base late in the season? Lopez essentially took an over-my-dead-body stance when asked by reporters if he’d like to play first on a regular basis.
It won’t do the Mariners any good to try Lopez at third if he flat doesn’t want to do it. But even if he’s willing, will he be able?
Lopez must prove he can dive to his right for the hard smash over the bag, sprint to his left and cut off the bouncer toward shortstop, race deep into foul territory in left field for popups, and charge slow rollers and bunts up the third-base line. Along with all that, he must show the arm strength to make the throw from across the diamond.
Even if Lopez could handle third base, the Mariners’ infield defense might be just as well off with him staying at second and Figgins at third.
Kotchman’s range at first base could benefit Lopez at second by reducing the amount of ground he would need to cover to his left on balls in the first-second hole. Meanwhile, Figgins’ range at third base could have the same benefit to Wilson, who had leg problems and never gave the Mariners a good sense of his range in 31 games late last season after he was traded from the Pirates.
Another thing to keep in mind: Wakamatsu loves versatility and the ability to rotate his lineup. Even if Lopez never sees an inning at third base, don’t be surprised if Figgins plays a fair amount at second in what you might call an infield platoon against right-handed pitching.
Lopez’s career average is 20 points lower and his on-base percentage 25 points lower against right-handers, so he could sit while switch-hitting Figgins plays second and left-handed-hitting Jack Hannahan plays third.
Nothing, of course, will happen until the Mariners learn what kind of versatility they have, particularly in Figgins’ ability at second base and Lopez’s at third.
The first step is running it past Lopez.
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