Predicting The Mariners Opening Day Lineup

Sep 20, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak (17) fields a grounder by Los Angeles Angels catcher Hank Conger (not pictured) in the second inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The your-guess-is-as-good-as-mine:

This designation goes to first base and designated hitter. If you take Hart out of the equation, assuming he is playing primarily in the outfield, first base comes down to Justin Smoak and Logan Morrison.

This should be the most entertaining position battle of Spring Training. Smoak looked like he was starting to figure it out late last season, but he still has so much to prove. And Morrison is a great clubhouse guy (and a character on Twitter), but it is hard to tell just how MUCH he can contribute to this team at first base.

If you stuck a gun to my head and told me to choose a first baseman or you’d kill me, I’d have to say Smoak for Opening Day. Big Z has kept him around this long, so if it’s a tight race he should get the nod.

That leaves me with designated hitter.

Because there are like sixty guys on the Mariners who could be playing DH on Opening Day, I’m just gonna throw spaghetti at the wall and say it’s Kendrys Morales. I expect the M’s to find a way to sign him after trading away some pieces.