Mariners notebook: A rare prediction from the skipper

PEORIA, Ariz. – With a number of members of the national media on hand this morning, Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon held his longest media session so far of the spring.

It was delayed as his office door was closed with various members of the coaching staff coming and going, no doubt going over reports as cuts loom, but well worth the wait as he hit on a number of interesting topics including just what he believes his new, improved offense can do this year.

“It really solidifies your club to know you have that in your lineup on a consistent basis,” McClendon answered when asked his thoughts on the middle of his lineup featuring Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager. “Now it is important we shore up our No. 1 and 2 spots in the lineup and make sure they have opportunities to drive guys in. I look for all three guys to have very productive years.”

How productive could the entire lineup be?

“If we stay healthy I think we should be a club that should be able to score 700 runs. I think that’s the magic number (to make the playoffs),” he said.

The Mariners scored 624 runs last year. They last topped 700 in 2007, when they scored 794 but gave up 813. The addition of Cruz should help, but as McClendon pointed out, questions at the top of the order need to be answered. With the 2 spot there will be plenty of options with McClendon looking for Justin Ruggiano, Seth Smith and Rickie Weeks to bring much needed experience there. At the very top, however, there appears to be just one guy – Austin Jackson, who has looked strong so far this spring.

McClendon also hit on the competition at short, fifth starter and second lefty in the bullpen. He sees the shortstop and fifth starter spots coming down to the end of camp.

“As good as all those guys are I think it would be an injustice to say we have decided with two weeks left,” he said. “I don’t think that is fair. We have to let them compete to the very end.”

To that end, the competition is a little different now than it will be starting next week when rosters get cut across the Cactus League and regulars, both on the pitching and hitting sides, stay in games longer. This will have an even bigger impact on the battle for the second lefty spot.

“I think you really start to find out about guys, back-to-back, facing more veteran hitters,” McClendon said. “Right now it is hard to judge with guys in and out three, four, five innings. I think you start to see more consistent, better baseball as we move forward. We will see how guys react to throwing one day, getting back out there the next.”

With Tyler Olson and David Rollins, who appear to be the front-runners for that spot, McClendon has tried to get them in games early when they often have the opportunity to face more big leaguers.

“With both of those kids I try to throw them in the fire as much as I can, and both continue to impress,” he said.

Aside from a spot start by Rollins, neither has pitched in Triple-A, but McClendon is not worried about that. Before camp ends he wants to see both throw back-to-back days and continue to throw against big league hitters.

One thing to keep in mind in this battle, the playing field isn’t quite even. Rollins is a Rule 5 pick and cannot be sent to the minors. If he does not make the team he must be put on waivers where any team can claim him. If he goes unclaimed he is returned to his original club, the Houston Astros. If this battle comes down to the wire and he is pitching well, the Mariners most likely will not want to give him away and they certainly wouldn’t like to see him help a division rival.

Olson can be sent down. I don’t see the Mariners carrying a Rule 5 guy this year because they think there is potential, however. For Rollins to make this team he will have to earn the spot.

Lineup!

Jackson 8
Smith 9
Seager 5
Cruz DH
Morrison 3
Zunino 2
Ackley 7
Miller 6
Taylor 4

Happ

Notes

• Robinson Cano is back with the team and should play tomorrow.

• Keep an eye on the opponents lineup tomorrow as the Dodgers could bring a Seager with them • Cory Seager, Kyle’s younger brother and a top prospect.

• Rickie Weeks will need at least another day before returning to the lineup after coming out of a game earlier this week with a sore hamstring. If he shows enough progress he could DH Saturday.

• Plenty of eyes on the Mariners this morning with MLB Network making their 30 teams in 30 days stop at camp. Peter Gammons and Sean Casey were with the network crew. Also in the clubhouse this morning were Tyler Kepner from the New York Times, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com and Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Yep. The Mariners are pretty popular.

• If you don’t see any hand shaking or fist bumping from the Brewers today, it’s not because they are an unfriendly team. No, after a pink eye outbreak they have been instructed to not get too close to the opposition.

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