Originally published November 20, 2009 at 6:04 PM | Page modified November 21, 2009 at 6:33 PM
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Mariners to try Dustin Ackley at second base
The first-round draft pick played in the outfield and first base at the University of North Carolina but will get a shot at second base in the minor leagues.
Seattle Times staff reporter
Mariners first-round draft pick Dustin Ackley will begin working out at second base in a move that could become permanent if all goes well.
The decision was announced Friday by Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik in a conference call with writers who cover the team. Zduriencik termed the move "an experiment" for now and says it's always been his philosophy to work minor-leaguers out at multiple positions to give the club flexibility going forward.
"We are not etching this into stone to say this guy will be the second baseman of the future," Zduriencik said. "It's just something we do."
The move is not entirely unexpected since those who watched the outfielder/first baseman play at the University of North Carolina have long suggested he'd be a natural second baseman. There has been speculation the Mariners will attempt to move incumbent second baseman Jose Lopez to a corner infield spot at some point or perhaps even trade him.
Zduriencik said the decision has nothing to do with Lopez. Trade rumors suggest the Mariners may be looking at a possible deal for Detroit left fielder Curtis Granderson, though Zduriencik repeated several times that the Ackley move is only an experiment and might not be permanent.
The comments by Zduriencik came hours after the team lost pitcher Chris Jakubauskas on a waiver claim by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jakabauskas was removed from the team's 40-man roster earlier in the day, as was minor-league pitcher Robert Manuel, who was later claimed by Boston.
Note
• Friday was the deadline for teams to protect players from the upcoming Rule 5 draft by securing them on their rosters. The Mariners added six new players to their roster — outfielder Ezequiel Carrera and pitchers Anthony Varvaro, Danny Cortes, Ricky Orta, Edward Parades and JC Ramirez — while reinstating injured pitchers Ryan Feierabend and Sean White off the 60-day disabled list.
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