Friday, January 06, 2006

Rookie moves to left

Rookie SS Mike Morse, who batted .278 with three homers in 230 ABs for the Seattle Mariners last year, will be given a look in left field this spring because he continues to lag behind fellow prospective phenom SS Yuniesky Betancourt, who plays spectacular defense and can hit. With the signing of veteran OFs Matt Lawton and Carl Everett, Morse's successful adaptation to the outfield would enhance the expendability of CF Jeremy Reed. Reed is being eyed by the Boston Red Sox as a potential replacement for ex-BoSox Johnny Damon, who has defected to the New York Yankees. Raul Ibanez and Ichiro Suzuki have a firm grip on Seattle's remaining outfield positions, though Ibanez has experience at 1B.