Seattle Mariners jog across a field at baseball spring training in Peoria, Ariz.
Story Published:
Apr 3, 2008 at 5:42 PM PST
Story Updated:
Apr 3, 2008 at 5:42 PM PST
Sort of. Mike Hargrove knows just how he would like 1-9 play out in the batting order, but is not ready to announce his line up. With minimal pressing this is what we were able to find out.
First off, obviously, Ichiro will lead off. Ibanez and Sexson will be in the middle of the order. Vidro and Guillen, according to the skipper, are good hitters who will fall in the top 6 or 7 spots.
Where does Beltre hit? Hargrove said he would like to hit him second to start out and see where it goes. Beltre had success there last year and in talking to him this week he said he wouldn’t mind starting out there.
Hargrove said that the big question for him regarding the line up right now is who will hit third. My guess would be Ibanez to start with the line up going Ichiro, Beltre, Ibanez, Sexson, Guillen, Vidro, Joh, Lopez, Betancourt. Lopez could hit 9th to start because he is going to miss a couple of weeks of spring games with the ankle.
Is this line up, assuming I am right, ideal? No, but it could get there easily. I think ideally someday everyone would like to see Beltre the 3 hitter. When he was with the Dodgers, they eased him into the season hitting him deeper in the order early then moving it up. The Mariners found that he was productive and comfortable hitting second last year, so they will start him there.
In my opinion, the line up above, if guys are hitting the way they can, is much better if Adrian can hit 3rd (granted, a big if), a 2 hitter can be found and everyone moves up a spot. A Vidro that could run some would be a good option. He’s not there yet, but the team and Vidro are hopeful that the running will improve.
If Vidro cannot hit second, Jose Lopez could be a possibility. His numbers and productivity fell off as the season went on last year, but his best months, the months that earned him a spot on the All Star team, were spent hitting in the 2 hole. His mind set was great there, basically “get Ichiro over”, rather than “pull, pull, pull.” It might be worth a try again. You have plenty of guys who can go for the swings further down the lineup, but for a time last season, Lopez showed that he could hit 2nd.
News and Notes…
Jeff Clement most likely to miss a day or two with the bruised finger. Luis Oliveras was “not available” today. No reason was given…A spy was among us as Dave Sheinin national baseball writer for the Washington Post (and excellent piano player) was in town checking up on the ex Nationals. He asked a bunch of questions about Emiliano Fruto. Wanted to know if he was ever a closer candidate here.
Hargrove said at one time there was talk about that but “Superman last year might have had a hard time taking the job away from Putz the way he was throwing the ball last year.” Hargrove admitted it wasn’t easy letting him go…Ideal number of games for Joh according to the skipper? 130. Day games off after night games should mostly take care of that…figured out today that Willie Bloomquist has the longest tenure in the spring training clubhouse. First stepped into the big league side in 2000. Lou called him Bloomberg that year…
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