Mariners Designate Wilkerson & Norton for Assignment
According to Jim Street at MLB.com, the Seattle Mariners designated veterans Brad Wilkerson and Greg Norton for assignment. The M’s have 10 days to days to trade, release, option, or ouright both of them to the minors.
The moves were made to make room on the club’s 25-man roster for prospects Jeff Clement and Wladimir Balentien. Clement, a catcher, and Balentien, an outfielder, were promoted from Triple-A Tacoma. Mariners manager John McLaren said of the moves, “We hadn’t had much going, and felt like it was time to bring some new blood in and give [it] an opportunity, and we are. We’re going to give [Clement and Balentien] a good shot to play.”
Balentien was hitting .260, with 6 HR’s and 20 RBI in AAA; and Clement was batting a ridiculous .397, with 5 HR’s and 20 RBI. Balentien will see a lot of playing time in right field, and Clement will get the bulk of his at-bats as the designated hitter. Clement will also get an occasional start at the catcher position as well.
Filed under: Seattle Mariners
It’s not everyday that you hear about a professional hitter like Greg Norton getting DFA’d while hitting .438
The man has the reputation of being one of the best pinch hitters in the game, some smart GM would be wise to take a second look at Norton.
Someone has to grab Brad Wilkerson. The Sox and several other teams looked hard at this guy in the off season. A perfect 4th OF with some pop from the left side and can play both corner spots.
Greg Norton will be back also, probably in the NL as a pinch hitter as Coach wrote above. 1B and emergency OF is about it for him now. He is just too banged up now for prolonged defensive play.