AROUND the HORN

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courtesy Kirby Arnold| HeraldNet



RUSSELLbranyan
FIRST BASE
.250 | 12 HR | 20 RBI
It has been a while since the Mariners had a left-handed-hitting first baseman with consistent home-run potential for the reachable right-field seats at Safeco Field (John Olerud was the last, in 2004). Branyan definitely isn't here for his defense; he has played only 50 of his 601 career games at first base and spring training has been a learning experience. However, as long as he hits and hits for power, the Mariners will roll him out there and take their chances in the field.



JOSElopez
SECOND BASE
.297 | 17 HR | 89 RBI
Lopez's range has been criticized, but he has made himself into an average-at-worst defender who'll neither make the highlight reels on a consistent basis nor be an embarrassment in the field. However, there's no doubt he's an offensive second baseman, having become the seventh second baseman in American League history to record 40 doubles, 15 home runs and 80 RBI in a season.



ADRIANbeltre
THIRD BASE
.268 | 25 HR | 77 RBI
Beltre won his second straight Gold Glove in 2008 and was rated by The Fielding Bible as the best third baseman in the major leagues. His fearless approach, quick hands and strong arm helped him lead American League third basemen with 272 assists and the fourth-best fielding percentage at .964. He made three errors after July 3, and he did all that on a bad left shoulder and left thumb. Beltre had surgery on both the shoulder and thumb in September and, despite some soreness during spring training, seems determined to play another 150-plus games at full bore, of course.



YUNISKEYbetancourt
SHORTSTOP
.279 | 7 HR | 51 RBI
On the way to becoming what fans thought would be next Omar Vizquel at shortstop, Yuniesky Betancourt took a step in the other direction. Maybe two steps. The kid with the great range, quick glove and strong arm has not progressed.

After that promising beginning to his first full season in the majors _ in May, 2006, Betancourt became the first Mariners shortstop since Alex Rodriguez in 2000 to play an entire month without making an error he hasn't gotten better.

His 21 errors last year were the most in the American League, and his .968 fielding percentage was the lowest among any AL shortstop with 125 or more games. Many of Betancourt's defensive mistakes have come from a simple lack of focus clanks off his glove on routine ground balls and bad throws on basic plays.

"Everybody in the game knows what he can do defensively," said manager Don Wakamatsu, who didn't necessarily offer that as an endorsement. "You talk about the defense helping the pitching staff or hurting it."

Betancourt's work ethic was questioned last year when he could be found on the clubhouse couch while other players were outside doing early work. Even this year at spring training, under a new manager and coaching staff hoping to see a more motivated player, Betancourt often fielded ground balls in practice with more flair than focus.

"Yuni's a talent, and we're going to see how much we can get him to give us," Wakamatsu said. "You can't help but like him. His teammates love him. But there's some frustration along with that. We're working on it."

The hope, of course, is that Betancourt will understand that a stronger work ethic off the field and focus on it will make him a better player. In turn, it will help make the Mariners a better team.