Will Casper Wells Be The Odd Man Out For The Mariners in 2013?

By Max Gross
Steven Bisig- USA TODAY Sports

Baseball has always been a game of numbers. 25 is an important number, especially for Seattle Mariners outfielder Casper Wells. 25 players will make the Mariners opening day roster, and it is possible that Wells is not one of them.

Wells finds himself in a very tough situation, as he is out of options, meaning he cannot be sent down to the minor leagues again. If Wells does not make the opening day roster, he will be looking for a new job.

The outfielder has failed to make a very good impression with the M’s in the year and a half he has spent with the team after he was acquired in the deal that sent Doug Fister to the Detroit Tigers. Wells has played 124 games with the Mariners, hitting for a disappointing .225/.304/.406 triple-slash.

Another number that could be working against Wells is five, the number of outfielders ahead him on the depth chart. With Michael Morse and Michael Saunders locked in to roster spots already, the competition for the last few rosters spot will be between veteran Raul Ibanez, the oft-injured Franklin Gutierrez, a washed up Jason Bay, Eric Thames and Wells.

Wells does possess the ability to hit lefties with a .264 career avg., something Manager Eric Wedge could be looking for. Also, Wells has the ability to play all three outfield positions. This versatility could give Wedge some options.

However, the determining factor in whether Wells will make this roster will be the performances of Bay and Gutierrez this spring. If Bay hits at the level he is capable of, and Guti is able to stay healthy, Wells will most likely be out of a job.

Max Gross can be followed on Twitter @maxgross55

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