Smoak expected to be M's first baseman in '13
Justin Smoak - 1B - Seattle Mariners
Feb. 18, 2013 - 5:10 PM ET
Mariners manager Eric Wedge said Monday that Justin Smoak will be the team's first baseman this season barring "something drastic."
Wedge doesn't want to base his decision making on spring training results, so first base is Smoak's job to lose. That means Kendrys Morales will function as the primary designated hitter while Michael Morse will play left, Michael Saunders will play right and Raul Ibanez will be used in a part-time role. However, given the number of options Wedge has at his disposal, there likely won't be much patience if Smoak gets off to a slow start.
Source: Seattle Times