A case where the headline gives away the story

Geoff Baker's blog post of 3/26

Why Matt Tuiasosopo has made the team as a backup infielder

One area the team won't have to think long and hard about is the backup infielder role. While nobody has announced it yet, Matt Tuiasosopo has that job nailed down.

The team is already facing too many questions about adding non-roster guys to the Opening Day squad: guys like Sweeney, or long relievers David Pauley and Jesus Colome should Doug Fister not be ready.

(By the way, the Mariners have decided to have Fister throw a couple of innings in a minor league game today ahead of his Cactus League outing slated for Monday).

With all of those non-roster guys creating questions, the team isn't about to waste time worrying about the backup infield spot that Tuiasosopo has made a case for himself at. Yes, Josh Wilson is also making a case for himself, but he's not on the 40-man roster. To add him, you'd have to take someone off. And then to send him back down to Class AAA, you'd risk losing him to another team.

Here is how it will all play out: Tuiasosopo will be on the team Opening Day as the backup infielder. Josh Wilson will go to AAA as insurance in the event that shortstop Jack Wilson gets hurt.

The team can live with Tuiasosopo at shortstop one or two days a week if need be.

But they can't live with it if Jack Wilson gets hurt and goes on the DL, or has to miss significant time.

In that case, Josh Wilson would be called up and Tuiasosopo sent to AAA because he still has options. The club would then worry about what happens with Josh Wilson when Jack comes back, but will cross that bridge if and when it comes to it.

Got it? Take it to the bank.

Comment from The Kid in 3...2...