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Changes in Seattle

Christopher Solberg, Editor
5/01/2008

The Seattle Mariners made a couple major changes to their ballclub yesterday, designating Brad Wilkerson and Greg Norton for assignment.  In a related move, the team called up prospects Jeff Clement and Wladamir Balentien.

While with the Mariners, Wilkerson hit .232/.348/.304.  Brad should have never been signed in the first place.  The last two seasons, while hitting in the top hitters' paradise outside of Coors Field, he never held a season batting average of over .234.  While he can tout a 20 HR season last year, he did it with a meager .319 OBP.  Sure, the team traded away Adam Jones late in the off-season, but better (and cheaper) options could have been had.

Greg Norton was hitting much better than DH platoon mate Jose Vidro, but Vidro's versitality off the bench must have won over Norton's stick.

Top hitting prospect Jeff Clement will presumably move into the DH spot where he will have time to concentrate on major league hitting rather than improving his lackluster catching game.  His bat is Major League ready, but it's doubtful that his catching  will ever be.  With Kenji Johjima locked up in a recent multi-year deal, Clement could be showcased for a trade, or (hopefully for Mariners' fans sake) groomed for taking first base over from Sexson, once Richie hits free agency after the season.

Balentien has very good power potential, but his lack of plate discipline will likely lead to a relatively low batting average for at least his first couple seasons in the Majors.  But he should still out-hit Wilkerson this season.

This is a great move for the team's offense, it should get a decent boost from both players.  But it seems odd that GM Bill Bavasi would make this move now.  Supposedly, if he would've waited another week to call these players up, it would push the arbitration clocks on both players back a year.  This would save them money and prolong the players' time in Seattle before hitting free agency.  Was this done as a good will move by Bavasi for future negotiations, or is this just another of Bill Bavasi's odd moves?

 

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