Here are the ones involving ex-Rattlers:
Where do you see Adam Jones spending the majority of his time this year: Tacoma or Seattle?-- Kenny K., Molalla, Ore.
I think that Jones, who won't turn 22 until Aug. 1, will begin the season back at Triple-A Tacoma, though it has little or nothing to do with the .216 batting average he had during his 32-game stint for the Mariners last season. Jones was rushed to the Major Leagues a year ago after Jeremy Reed broke his right thumb and before Ichiro Suzuki agreed to be the everyday center fielder.
Jones -- a converted shortstop who was in his first season as a center fielder in Tacoma -- struggled during his first stint with Seattle, especially while playing defense. He was returned to Tacoma and later rejoined the Mariners. Jones still has a lot to learn defensively, but he's proved to be a quick study. The time that he put in with first-base coach Mike Goff -- who works with the team's outfielders -- showed last season, as Jones reacted faster and took better routes to balls.
Now that Ichiro will play center this season, it affords Jones a bit more time to hone his skills defensively in Tacoma. Offensively, Jones has nothing really to prove. After all, he hit .287 with 16 home runs and 62 RBIs in 380 at-bats. The Mariners are still very high on Jones. He's better off for his Major League experience last year and beginning the year in Tacoma certainly can't be viewed as a step back for him. Jones' time will come.
From what I saw, Ryan Feierabend did a decent job last year in his late-season callup. Do you see him getting a legitimate look for being on the Opening Day roster or on the big-league roster anytime soon? -- Mike S., Latrobe, Pa.
Manager Mike Hargrove often mentioned Feierabend's name this winter when he talked about pitchers in contention for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. But Feierabend, no matter how well he fares in Spring Training, is probably ticketed to start the season with Tacoma. After all, Feierabend just turned 21 in August and hasn't pitched at the Triple-A level. He could certainly use some seasoning.
Still, the left-hander was impressive in his short stint with the Mariners after the roster expanded in September. He was 0-1 with a 3.71 ERA in four games, and opposing batters hit just .231 against him. He showed nice poise for a rookie.
Feierabend was 9-12 with a 4.28 ERA in 28 games at Double-A San Antonio. If he continues to progress like he has, don't be surprised to see him in Seattle at some point this season.
Don't the Mariners have a hot Minor League catcher ready to come up and spell Kenji Johjima soon?-- Rob H., Eastsound, Wash.
You're obviously referring to Jeff Clement, the Mariners' first-round pick out of USC in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. Clement, despite two minor surgeries in 2006, moved quickly through the farm system. He hit .288 in 15 games at San Antonio and .257 in 245 at-bats with Tacoma. Clement -- who had a combined six home runs -- hasn't displayed the power many thought he would yet, but as is often the case, a player may not develop power until later in his career.
Clement likely will begin the season at Tacoma, where he'll be given a full season in a veteran league to hone his skills. And for as much as Seattle would like to ease Johjima's workload in 2007 -- he caught more games than any other Major League catcher last season -- they'll do so with Rene Rivera while Clement continues to develop in Tacoma.
How long do the Mariners have pitcher Felix Hernandez under contract?-- Chris O., Sequim, Wash.
How does "not long enough" sound Chris? But seriously, the Mariners can find solace in the fact that Hernandez won't be eligible to become a free agent until following the 2011 season.
That said, Hernandez -- who was added to the Mariners' 40-man roster in August 2005 -- likely will be classified as a "Super Two" and be eligible for arbitration with less than three years of roster time.
Normally, players are eligible for arbitration after three seasons. He would be eligible for "Super Two" designation if he ranks in the top 17 percent in total service in the class of players who have at least two (but fewer than three) years of Major League service.
Either way, Hernandez isn't going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the team offered him some sort of contract extension after this season.
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