Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Position Battle: Number Two Spot

Another position battle has come up over the last few days or weeks. Who will be hitting in the number two spot in the lineup? There are only two main candidates; Yuniesky Betancourt and Jose Vidro.

Betancourt has shown that he can get on base on top of playing spectacular defence over the last two years or so, but he's been hitting in the eighth and ninth spots in the lineup. Moving him up to number two could help him out, because he would get more at bats. If Betancourt is on base more, because he gets more chances to get on base, but would allow him to run more. Something that his manager wants him to do. I don't see anything wrong with Betancourt hitting in the two spot. Maybe it'll help him to become a solid all around player. He won't hit for much, if any power, but I'd like to see his average go over .300 for the first time in his career.

Vidro is a more interesting case. He is a .300 hitter, and has done so a few times in his career. He has a vesting option for 2009, because he waived his no trade clause. I'm guessing that it will vest with something like 500 or 550 at bats, and I'm not too sire if the Mariners want to bring Vidro back again. Again, I don't mind seeing Vidro in the number two hole, if he can produce. Six week deadline for me on Vidro. Mid-May if he's not producing, then he's out of the number two spot if he gets it. Betancourt, in my opinion should have another week or more on top of that for glory time, because he would be new there. I won't get to update this again, so you may have to tie up some loose ends yourselves.

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