Mariners Analysis: Handicapping the M’s Demotion Candidates (Poll)

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May 9, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Chris Taylor (1) throws to first in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners are going to need a staring pitcher for Tuesday’s game against the New York Yankees, and someone is going to have to go down to make room for the incoming hurler.

Seattle is without James Paxton and Hisashi Iwakuma, and it looks like it could be quite sometime before we see them donning a Mariners’ uniform. Mariners’ skipper Lloyd McClendon has been tightlipped on which pitcher will get the call from Tacoma, but there have been a few hints.

25-year-old southpaw Mike Montgomery was scratched from his start on Sunday for the Rainiers. Montgomery was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Erasmo Ramirez, and he has a 4-3 record with a 3.74 ERA across 9 outings this season. Montgomery would be making his Major League debut on Tuesday against the Yanks.

The other name being floated around is Justin Germano. The 32-year-old right-hander is having a stellar season for Tacoma. Germano is 3-2 with a 3.02 ERA across 50.2 innings and 6 starts. Germano is a big league veteran, but has not seen regular playing time since 2012 when he worked out of the Chicago Cubs bullpen.

Justin Germano has the better numbers and has proven himself to be a very versatile pitcher, but the deciding factor may be the fact Mike Montgomery is on the 40-man roster and Germano is not. In order for the M’s to call up Germano, they would have to clear a spot on the 40-man. Bringing up Montgomery would require no such move.

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Today, we will discuss who could be sent down to make room Montgomery or Germano. There are a few different names being bandied about, but Rickie Weeks, Dustin Ackley, Willie Bloomquist and Chris Taylor seem to be the most likely candidates.

We will start the slideshow with Rickie Weeks who has struggled mightily in his debut season with the Mariners.

Make sure you click through to the final slide to cast your vote for who deserves to be demoted.

Next: Rickie Weeks