The special circumstances surrounding the Japan trip are offically over and the Seattle Mariners, along with every other MLB team submitted their finalized 25 man roster for the start of the 2012 season.
Now most of the roster is the same as what was posted last week, with these changes:
RHP – Shawn Kelley who missed the majority of last season with Tommy John surgery showed some vulnerability during the Japan trip and was optioned to AAA Tacoma.
LHP – Charlie Furbush was optioned to Tacoma as well. Furbush had quite a few opportunities with the M’s last season and based on that, it is surprising he made it this far.
OF - Carlos Peguero who was was added to the big league roster to cover for the injured Mike Carp was also assigned to the Rainiers to start the season.
This moves confirms that the team is looking to use Figgins in the outfield much more and give space for Liddi and Seager in the infield.
Here is the updated 25 man roster.
The starting rotation as of opening day will be:
RHP – Felix Hernandez
LHP – Jason Vargas
RHP – Hector Noesi
RHP – Blake Beavan
RHP – Kevin Millwood
The M’s starters may not have as much job security as last season. Both Erasmo Ramierez and Hisashi Iwakuma are both capable starters and could be moved into the rotation if needed.
The bullpen will be home to:
RHP - Hisashi Iwakuma
RHP – Steve Delabar
LHP – Lucas Luetge
LHP – George Sherill
RHP – Erasmo Ramirez
RHP – Tom Wilhelmsen
RHP – Brandon League
Iwakuma and Ramirez both will be available as long relief options which could be an essential role for an unproven starting rotation. This season the M’s will have two lefties in the pen as opposed to one, so they may be looking to play more situational odds this year.
2012 Seattle Mariners opening day squad
The infielders starting the season will be:
1B – Justin Smoak
2B – Dustin Ackley
3B – Kyle Seager
SS – Brendan Ryan
UTL – Alex Liddi
UTL – Munenori Kawasaki
The infield is quite full of energetic talent. Consider the versatility as well.
Ackley can play 2nd, 1st and CF
Seager can play 3rd, 2nd and SS
Figgins can play 2nd, 3rd, LF, CF and SS
Liddi can play 3rd and 1st
Kawasaki can play 3rd, 2nd and SS
Catching duties will be held by:
C - Miguel Olivo
C - Jesus Montero
C - John Jaso
John Jaso has not played well but is needed until to cover the catching duties as Monetero will be the primary DH and Adam Moore has yet to make a return from his wrist injury.
The outfielders at the start of this season contain:
OF – Michael Saunders
OF – Ichiro Suzuki
OF – Casper Wells
Chone Figgins
Starting off the season on the DL:
CF – Franklin Gutierrez
C – Adam Moore
LF – Mike Carp
The Mariners are coming into the season in a fierce competition for 3rd place in the AL west.
Aren’t you excited?
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© Danny Ferguson for North West Sports Beat, 2012. | Permalink | No comment |
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Post tags: Adam Moore, Alex Liddi, Blake Beavan, Brandon League, Brendan Ryan, Carlos Peguero, Casper Wells, Charlie Furbush, Chone Figgins, Dustin Ackley, Erasmo Ramierez, Felix Hernandez, Franklin Gutierrez, George Sherill, Hisashi Iwakuma, Ichiro Suzuki, Jason Vargas, Jesus Montero, John Jaso, Justin Smoak, Kevin Millwood, Kyle Seager, Lucas Luetge, Michael Saunders, Miguel Olivo, Mike Carp, Munenori Kawasaki, Shawn Kelley, Steve Delabar, Tom Wilhelmsen
Original Story:
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April 03, 2012
