Mariners notebook: Will offense trump defense at shortstop?

PEORIA, Ariz. – It was a relatively short day of work for the Mariners as early rain and the threat of more forced them to abbreviate the workouts. The pitching schedule was light to begin with, no live batting practice was scheduled and only three bullpens that needed to be thrown (Danny Hultzen, Mark Lowe and Forrest Snow) were able to do on the upper six pack.

Weather could be a factor the next two days and the Monday intrasquad game could be in jeopardy, but manager Lloyd McClendon was not too worried about that. In a camp where there aren’t too many questions, position battles or a large number of arms, intrasquad and B games just aren’t as important. If the rain does keep them off the field, bullpens can be thrown under cover and batting practice can be held in the cages.

The pitching and shortstop battles will be won in late March when the temperatures most likely will be in the 90s, not on a rainy February weekend. The evaluation of the candidates will be extensive, according to McClendon.

“With the shortstop and pitching we’re in a unique situation because we know the guys. They have somewhat of a track record,” he said. “You like to see maturity, some progression where they have shored up some weaknesses. It’s not all about results. All those things you kind of mix into the bowl a little bit and see where you end.”

It will be an interesting battle as Brad Miller and Chris Taylor have different strengths – Miller has the higher ceiling offensively and Taylor is stronger on defense. It could come down to which skill in that position the team values or feels they need at the time, according to McClendon.

“That’s part of the dynamic of what fits best for your particular club at the time. I can’t answer that question right now, we have to see in a months time how it shakes out,” he said.

Will offense trump defense or vice versa?

“In the end you have to figure out what’s most important for your club as a whole, particularly with your pitching, the kind of offense you have, the needs you have at the time,” McClendon said.

That statement would seem to lean toward defense with the Mariners’ pitching and expected improved offense. McClendon also said that as of today he would bat the shortstop ninth. Not a ringing endorsement for offense, but in this game offense is hard to overlook.

“Some people will say just the opposite, ‘Give me all the offense you can.’ If they can hit two- or three-run homers you’ll be a hell of a shortstop. It plays both ways,” he said with a laugh.”

Notes

• More lineup insight from the skipper: “We’ve got three guys who have hit extremely well in the No. 2 hole – Smith, Ruggiano and Weeks. We have options.”

• Before the acquisition of Weeks, McClendon said that in an attempt to get Dustin Ackley over his slow starts his plan was to run him out there and wear him out as much as possible in spring training. With Weeks needing reps at a new position Ackley won’t be able to play every day this spring, but the days he does play he won’t be coming out of games early as players usually do in spring training.

“When he is in there he will play. Give him as many at bats as we possibly can,” McClendon said.

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