Mariners count on Miguel Cairo to guide young players

PEORIA, Ariz. — Miguel Cairo and Matt Tuiasosopo were leaning against the dugout railing, watching a spring training game.

Tuiasosopo, a minor-leaguer working his way up the Mariners' farm system, made it a point to pick the brains of the Seattle major-leaguers this spring. He asked Cairo, a 10-year, seven-team veteran, what kind of pitch was coming next to the hitter at bat.

"He called it, and the next one and the next one," Tuiasosopo recalled. "Every one."

That's game experience, and that's what it will bring. The knowledge to anticipate, having seen it all. The Mariners are banking on Cairo, a multi-position player, not just to be a solid contributor off the bench, but to be a voice of wisdom and high character for the younger players in the clubhouse.

More specifically, the Mariners' double-play combination of second baseman Jose Lopez, 24, and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, 26.

"He's a player who has so many years in the league and has the experience in the infield," Betancourt said. "The things we talk about are learning how to play different hitters and what action needs to be taken."

Cairo, 33, has appeared in 19 postseason games with the Cardinals and Yankees. Mariners manager John McLaren has seen Cairo talking with Lopez and Betancourt.

"Him being a veteran presence, being on winning ballclubs and what it takes, what young kids think sometimes when the pressure's on and how to handle it, I think he'll help Yuni and Lopez a lot in that area this year," McLaren said.

Cairo has been a Mariner before — for 20 days in the 1995 offseason. He was acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers for Mike Blowers, then dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays for two pitchers.

He hadn't yet made his major-league debut back then. But he had already caught the eye of McLaren, who saw Cairo play when McLaren was managing in Cairo's home country of Venezuela.

McLaren originally recommended Cairo to the Mariners when both were in South America.

Cairo said he's just glad to still be playing.

"I'm just going to help in any way I can," Cairo said. "They [Lopez and Betancourt] have some experience and they just have to keep their minds in the game nine innings. I'm here to help win, that's the main point."

McLaren sees Cairo much like he sees another Mariners utility player, Willie Bloomquist. He envisions Cairo pinch-running and being used as a late-inning defenisve replacement at first base for Richie Sexson.

Then there are the talks in the corner of the clubhouse at the Mariners' spring headquarters, when all of the Latino players gather in a circle and converse in Spanish. Cairo is there. So are Lopez and Betancourt, whose lockers are just across the way, and Jose Vidro, Felix Hernandez and Carlos Silva.

"I have a lot of trust in him," Lopez said. "He talks to me a lot when I do a little thing badly. He's a good friend, good teammate and he helps me so much."

Cairo doesn't think he has to say much to the younger guys. But they listen when he talks.

"I came here to do a job," he said. "If they need help or they ask me questions, then for sure I would help."

Tuiasosopo has watched and learned, as well as asked questions. Cairo has told him about his vast experience, then gone to the field and led by example.

"What I have seen is a player who likes to teach as well as learn," third baseman Adrian Beltre said. "He's a player who knows any kind of situation and a person who likes to share with the younger guys. He can help Betancourt and Lopez, and me, too, for whatever thing I need help with."

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com