Wedge: Smoak expected to be first baseman
Justin Smoak - 1B - Seattle Mariners
Jan. 23, 2013 - 3:10 PM ET
Mariners manager Eric Wedge said Wednesday that he expects Justin Smoak to be the club's first baseman in 2013.
A vote of confidence for Smoak, who has a disappointing .227/.304/.382 batting line since coming over from the Rangers in the Cliff Lee deal. Assuming Smoak gets the chance to open the season at first base, Morales would presumably serve as the primary DH while Michael Morse would play left, Michael Saunders would play right and Raul Ibanez would be used in a part-time role. But the margin for error for Smoak just got a lot smaller.
Source: Larry Stone on Twitter