Seattle Mariners: Nelson Cruz First Baseman?
By Jason Evans
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz is working on his game this off-season and has been learning how to play first base
The Seattle Mariners now have the longest streak in professional sports without making the playoffs. The past couple of years they just haven’t been able to get over the hump. The Mariners, this off-season, traded for Dee Gordon, as Miami Marlins had their “everything must go” sale this off-season.
Gordon will play center while Mitch Haniger and Ben Gamel will flank him. The club traded for Ryon Healy and added Mike Ford in the Rule V draft to play first.
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Nelson Cruz is slated to be the club’s designated hitter. He’s played right field in his career as well, and in the age of teams looking for as much roster flexibility as possible, Cruz is trying to prove he can help the Mariners in a few ways. For example, playing a little bit of first base.
The Mariners first base job is open between Healy, Ford and Dan Vogelbach. They aren’t the kind of club to go out and swoop in for Eric Hosmer.
Another important part of this is Cruz is a free agent at the end of this year. With the glacial-like development of this year’s free agent market, being able to add to your skill set can help you potentially last in the game longer.
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It would not surprise me if the Seattle Mariners give Cruz a little bit of a look at first during Spring Training. That is the time to try things. If Cruz proves he can handle it, maybe the club can throw him out there during interleague play this season.
Any way a player can help a team is a good thing. For the Seattle Mariners, if Nelson Cruz can give them anything in the field at any point, it’ll help the club and Cruz.