Ackley sits as Morse returns to Mariners’ lineup

By Shannon Drayer

Yesterday I wrote about the lineup possibilities once Michael Morse returned to the Mariners from the disabled list. Today we see our first one:

Brad Miller, 6
Nick Franklin, 4
Kyle Seager, 5
Kendrys Morales, DH
Raul Ibanez, 7
Michael Morse, 9
Justin Smoak, 3
Michael Saunders, 8
Henry Blanco, 2

Dustin Ackley sits. With Michael Saunders missing the better part of two games late last week with a tight hamstring and a tricky center field here at Fenway Park, he makes sense. If acting manager Robby Thompson wanted to go with a lefty-heavy lineup against the righty Brandon Workman, he could have put Ackley in center and Saunders in right, but that would mean no Morse and he needs a chance to settle in. So there you have it. Ackley sits.

Away from the lineup all eyes are on the trade deadline, which is Wednesday at 4 p.m. EST. General manager Jack Zduriencik along with assistant GM Jeff Kingston, scouting director Tom McNamara and director of pro scouting Tom Allison are on the trip. It will be interesting to see if we see them at the game tonight or if they’re elsewhere mulling over trades.

While Zduriencik has been very vocal about the likelihood of him not making a trade it would be somewhat unusual to see him not do anything. The only year he did not make a move at the deadline or the day before was 2010. This year is different, however, with the extra wild card and compensation picks for players given the qualifying offer. There is interest in a handful of Mariners players but most feel Zduriencik will not make a move that could impact winning at the big-league level this year.