From USA Today

Catching up on the backlog of stories. USA Today had a story on the job ahead of new Seattle General Manager Jack Zduriencik. There are names of former Rattlers sprinkled throughout the story.

Where the Mariners stand at each position:

Catcher

The Mariners signed Kenji Johjima to a three-year, $24 million contract extension last spring, and he struggled badly in 2008. The Mariners' depth could necessitate the move of Jeff Clement to another position such as first base or DH.

First base

The Mariners aren't sure whether Bryan LaHair can cut it. He batted .250 with three homers and 10 RBI last season in 45 games after being called up July 18. He is not your prototypical power-hitting first baseman, though, hitting 12 homers in a full season in 2007 at Class AAA Tacoma (Wash.).

Starters

The Mariners' rotation, which had no pitcher winning more than nine games in 2008, is in transition. The Mariners would like to open the year with hard-throwing right-hander Brandon Morrow and Australian left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith. But there isn't enough room as long as Erik Bedard, Jarrod Washburn and Carlos Silva are around.

Bullpen

The bullpen could take a hit if Morrow and Rowland-Smith move into the rotation. The Mariners must hope that Sean Green and Mark Lowe improve after their second-half struggles. The Mariners didn't have a left-hander step up after the trade of Arthur Rhodes in July.

Closer

J.J. Putz blew eight saves in 2008, tying him for the most in the AL. He blew two saves in 42 opportunities the previous season.

Then, there is the prospect section. But, first this quote:

"We haven't been quite as aggressive as we have been in the past," says Greg Hunter, the Mariners' director of player development. "We try to place guys in a spot where they have a chance to succeed. When they outperform their league, we promote them."

Pretty much all of the prospects named are former Rattlers. Rob Johnson, Matt Tuiasosopo, Michael Saunders, Carlos Triunfel, Phillippe Aumont, Shawn Kelley, Mike Wilson, Greg Halman, and Michael Pineda are all mentioned. Click through on the link for the article and scroll to the bottom for the writeup on the prospects.

Then, there is a careless mistake from a national publication in the 2008 Minor League wrapup section. See if you can spot it.

Class AAA: Tacoma (Wash.) Rainiers, 80-64, second place in Pacific Coast League Pacific North.

•Class AA: West Tenn (Jackson, Tenn.) Diamond Jaxx, 70-68, won Southern League North first-half title, lost in first round of playoffs.

•High-A: High Desert (Adelanto, Calif.) Mavericks, 58-82, fifth place in California League South.

•Low-A: Clinton (Iowa) LumberKings, 78-59, won Midwest League Western Division's first-half title, lost in first round of playoffs.

•Short-season: Everett (Wash.) AquaSox, 32-44, fourth place in Northwest League West.

•Rookie: AZL Mariners (Peoria, Ariz.), 21-35, eighth place in Arizona League.

•Rookie: Pulaski (Va.) Mariners, 40-27, first place in Appalachian League East, lost in league championship round.

Put the answer in the comments.