Mariners slim down by 6
As reported by Larry Stone and the rest of the Mariners beat on Twitter this morning, Seattle kicked off their weekend by sending six players to minor league camp.
LHP Mauricio Robles, CIF Alex Liddi and COF Carlos Peguero were optioned to AAA Tacoma, COF Joherymn Chavez was optioned to AA Jackson and non-roster players LHP James Paxton and RHP Yusmeiro Petit were also assigned to minor league camp.
No big surprises here. Robles, Liddi, Peguero and Chavez could play a major part in the Mariners’ future but they all need to marinate a little longer before they’ll be ready. Paxton was brought to big league camp as a courtesy or contract obligation as well as to give the Mariners brass a good look at him, while Petit is looking more and more like upper minors roster-filler.
33 more cuts to go before Oakland.
Welcome, Jon.
The minors are going to be interesting to follow this year. It’s going to be hard to improve on the success of the teams last year.
A good object lesson in not paying too much attention to spring training hitting stats.
I must admit I’m rooting for Liddi long-term – having heard him on the Cactus League report, he seems like a very genuine and good guy (plus a fun story).
If Ackley and Pineda start the season in Tacoma, with the quality of the rest of the guys down there it could be worth some drives to T-Town to watch some games, especially with my 3 year old son, who’ll appreciate the “closer to the field” feel. He might even come home with a couple of nice little momentos if he can get an Ackley and Pineda autographed ball.