Jose Lopez

Lopez was a disaster in Colorado, posting a miserable .521 OPS before he was released. While he seemed to figure something out at Triple-A after signing a minor league deal with the Marlins (hitting .400/.430/.688 in 125 at-bats), he flopped once again after getting called up by Florida. Just 28, Lopez signed a minor league deal with the Indians in December, and he could serve as minor league depth if he's unable to secure a utility role this spring.

A season of misfortune turned into an offseason of great fortune when Lopez was traded in December from Seattle to Colorado, going from one of the league's worst parks for right-handed hitters to one of the best. After a career year in 2009, Lopez regressed across the board in 2010. No player in the majors with at least 500 at-bats posted a lower OPS than Lopez's .609. The Mariners soured on his inconsistency, inability to draw walks and mediocre fielding, but a vastly better hitter's park should help him produce more consistently - at least flyballs won't go to left field to die - and that should help offset the lack of walks. And while he'll never be a Gold Glove fielder, Lopez will return to his normal second base position after playing out of position last year at the hot corner.

Lopez quietly put together a career year in 2009. His 96 RBI ranked third among second basemen, while his 25 homers and 42 doubles both ranked fourth among AL players at the position. Lopez's drawbacks – and why the Mariners would move him if the right offer came along – are his weak .303 OBP and his mediocre glove. Among qualified batters, only four major leaguers drew fewer walks per plate appearance than his 0.37 BB/PA. And on a team that places a high price on fielding, his range makes him merely adequate. Lopez is in the last year of his contract, and top prospect Dustin Ackley is the future at second base for the Mariners, so it's likely Lopez gets dealt at some point. If he lands in a better hitter's park, his offensive numbers (aside from OBP) could receive a bit of a boost.

Lopez flies under the radar a bit playing in Seattle, but he finished in the top four among major league second basemen in batting average (.297), RBI (89, first in the AL), hits (191) and doubles (41) last season. His 17 home runs were second in the American League and sixth overall. What's more, Lopez played 13 games at first base, giving him position flexibility in many leagues. Lopez avoided a second-half swoon last season after tanking the previous two summers, setting the stage for what will be an intriguing 2009. He's not great in the field, but if his bat keeps developing, the Mariners will stomach his defensive shortcomings.

Lopez's 2007 season seemingly turned June 13 when his brother died in a motorcycle accident in Venezuela. To that point, Lopez was hitting .295 and slugging .438 with seven homers and 37 RBI. After his brother's death, Lopez went into a tailspin, hitting .226 and slugging .303 with four homers and 24 RBI in 31 more games. He went through a 72-game stretch in which he drew three free passes. His lack of focus was a problem on the basepaths and in the field, as well, where he made mental errors on routine plays. Perhaps his brother's death is too convenient of an excuse. After all, Lopez went into a second-half dive in 2006 after making the All-Star team. In any event, Lopez needs to rebound quickly this season, or the Mariners might soon run out of patience. Whether intent on replacing Lopez or simply to motivate him, the Mariners have promised to bring in spring training competition at second base.

Long a highly touted prospect, Lopez looked to have arrived last season. He had nine homers and led all second basemen with 58 RBI by midseason, making the All-Star team. But in the second half, he regressed. After slugging 36 extra-base hits in the first half, Lopez totaled just 10 in the second half with one home run. Never adroit at drawing walks, Lopez went more than a month in the summer without a free pass. He was dropped to eighth in the order at the end of August before heating up a bit in September to finish with decent season numbers. Lopez is at his best when he's hitting to all fields. When he tries to pull the ball, he struggles.

Long a highly touted prospect, Lopez will start at second base for the Mariners this season. His defense is solid, but his bat is still developing. He batted .220 in 17 games before the Mariners sent him back to Triple-A Tacoma to work on hitting to all fields. After his return in late August, Lopez raised his average to .247 for the year with 19 doubles. His OBP, though, continues to be a problem (.282) as he drew just six walks in 54 games. Lopez has talent, but needs to make significant gains this year at the plate.

Lopez, the organization's top position-player prospect, was part of the Great Auditioning in Seattle last season as the Mariners called up a number of prospects. He proved he could handle the rigors of shortstop, but his bat didn't make the trip from Triple-A Tacoma, where he hit for average and power. In Seattle, he slugged .367. He showed good instincts, though, and the Mariners believe his swing will come in time. His future with the club took a step back in the offseason, though, as the Mariners signed Adrian Beltre and Pokey Reese. Lopez, who now won't be the future third baseman the M's envisioned, likely will start the season at Triple-A Tacoma, losing the opening day shortstop duties to Reese.