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The qualm here isn't really whether Player X can be a good shortstop or not. The issue here is the seeming inconsistencies...
1) It is clear the Mariners are looking at creating an airtight defense. This is most obvious with the signings of Figgins, Wilson, insistence on Rob Johnson and the trade for Kotchman. Clearly, they view Premium Defense as a priority.
2) YET, despite the moves that all show that this is a Defense First construction area, the second string doesn't really reflect this. Hannahan makes sense at the corners, but doesn't make much sense at MIF. (Sure, you're saving a roster slot with using him as a supersub, but we're weeks before Spring Training and we haven't even seen Hannahan as a regular SS... Anyways...)
3) SO, at this point, we've basically *assumed* that Hannahan will be an adequate shortstop. But most arrows point at emphasizing adequate. If we're going to go with adequate, why waste the ABs on a player that is pretty much an empty investment. IF you're okay with okay, why not use the time on other okays like Tui or some other prospect.
3a) The other thing is, with the composition of this team, you're probably going to look at injuries happening in this order: SS... SS... SS... C, 3B, 1B, 2B, CF, LF, RF. With this roster, SS is occupied by a walking injury magnet. Why aren't you carrying a SS that can play other positions instead of a 3B that can play other positions?
Hannahan could be good at 1B/3B, but it's the sort of an empty calorie goodness. You're carrying an all defensive team, why does your relief corps have to be the same way? 
On top of that, Hannahan doesn't hit enough to be excused from defending and he doesn't catch enough to be excused from hitting. Why waste your time on him?
But then, I wrote all that and realized it... The M's are manuvering not to have Lopez or Tui backup SS because they're probably actually manuvering to have Chone Figgins do it.
Think about it. Wilson goes down with his annual injury. Figgins slides over. Hannahan slides in at 3B. I would hate to watch a lineup like that, but it's the most logical at this point.