=== Controlling the Bottom Half of the Inning ===

I've always had a (not entirely justified) bias toward getting the best batter-pitcher matchups from the offensive side of the scorecard, as opposed to using four bullpen switches a game to get them. 

I'd prefer to (1) counter Jon Lester with Mike Sweeney, Ryan Garko and Eric Byrnes than hope to (2) get my 2nd LOOGY into the middle of a 7th-inning game situation.

I think that the bias towards controlling the top half of the inning has some of its roots in passivity, whereas the attempt to use your lineup to gain percentages is more of an attack orientation.

But then, I grew up in the 1970's, with 9-10 man staffs, and Earl Weaver pointing out "your 5th starter takes innings away from the four men who are better than he is."  You can see how I feel about the 12th pitcher generally.

Early vibe coming from the M's camp is that they would like to, if circumstances permit, go with 11 pitchers in April.  

"Circumstances permitting" would be, as we understand it:

• 1 Felix Hernandez firing on all cylinders, light ST, 7+ IP April
• 2 Cliff Lee firing on all cylinders, 7+ IP April
• 3 Back-of-the-rotation looking solid, not shaky
• 4 A swing man like Vargas or Fister who can munch log-man IP
  

Of course, the case-against has become pitcher health...

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=== The First Four ===

Apparently being penciled in, in rather dark #2 carbon, going in:

• Eric Byrnes (Saunders or maybe Langerhans if Byrnes gets hurt or looks weak)
  
• Backup catcher:  Johnson if healthy, Josh Bard if not
• Ryan Garko
• Jack Hannahan, org golden boy (Tui and Josh Wilson with outside shots)
  

Meaning that if anyone else is going to have a decent shot, it's the 11-man staff that is key.

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=== Mike Sweeney ===

In his first 3 AB's on Saturday, had a single, a homer, a double, and three RBI in a 4-4 game.

It's entirely possible that Mike Sweeney is still the Mariners' best power hitter, even at 36.   In the second half last year, Sweeney hit .311/.376/.500, and I don't think it unpossible that Sweeney could hit for exactly that slash line in 250-300 AB's this year, either.

SSI's bias is towards talent, and Sweeney's an All-Star talent.  He could provide a Vlad Guerrero, even Frank Thomas wild card element to the M's offense.

I don't say it's probable.   But note that all of the above holds true, before you even consider that the M's would pay Sweeney to take 0 AB's (as a coach).

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=== Ryan Langerhans ===

I'm not the fan that most are, and he's redundant with Byrnes (who also backs up CF).  But still.

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=== Matt Tuiasosopo ===

Is still raw enough that he can learn in AAA.  

But as you know, SSI considers him to have big upside even in 2010.  As a 4th infielder super-sub, he could start the engines on learning AL pitchers, and be ready to replace JLo at 3B when the time is right.

Yes, you can learn in AAA.  But they can also learn playing 1-2 times a week in Safeco, actually standing in the box seeing ML pitches, and consolidating knowledge in the video room. Talking to Sweeney, er, Junior, er, Milton Bradley.  Getting ML-caliber coaching.

In my day, talented rookies weren't snuffed in AAA until handed a 550-AB entitlement.  They frequently made their first teams as reserves, and played their way into more PT.  George Foster, Hal McRae, and many others did this for the Big Red Machine.

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=== Dr's R/X ===

The M's have a handful of tasty options on the #5 benchie platter.  This year, the 5th-reserve choices look a lot more palatable than the #12-pitcher choices.

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Cheers,

Dr D