Winners and Losers: Sweeney, Jakubauskas, Kelley Won, Six Down

2009 MLB regular season is less than a week away as the Mariners made the final moves to set their opening day 25 men roster. From the non-roster invitees, Mike Sweeney, Chris Jakubauskas, and Shawn Kelley made the opening day roster.

Winners

Sweeney, who beat Chris Shelton in the back-up first baseman race, had nice spring training, hitting over .400. Although Shelton had better spring training, general manager Jack Zduriencik liked what he saw out of Sweeney. He is a true club house guy, and would make the messed M's club house better along with Ken Griffey Jr. He will back-up Russell Branyan.

Jakubauskas, who never made the major league in his career, showed that he is major league ready. His pitching in the spring training made the roster cut decision tougher. He was consistent all spring, and should help the M's from the bullpen. May be another R.A. Dickey? Who knows.

Kelley will come into the game from the bullpen as well. Don Wakamatsu may try him closing if Brandon Morrow is unavailable. He impressed Zduriencik and Wakamatsu enough to bring him all the way here. Good pitcher, only needs to show he can pitch in the big league.

Losers

Randy Messanger (Minor League Camp): Had good ERA for first six games, after that, he started to fell apart. Reassigned to the minor league camp in the end.

Chris Shelton (Minor League Camp): Terrific spring training, could made the roster, but the M's took Sweeney.

Mike Morse (Outright to AAA Tacoma): Out of option, so he cleared the waiver first. The M's have too many OF'ers so everyone knew it was coming.

Garrett Olson (Optioned to AAA Tacoma): Acquired from the Cubs during the off-season. He wasn't going to make the starting rotation anyway, so keeping him in Tacoma should help. Can make the M's in mid season.

Jose Lugo (Returned to the Twins): Left handed reliever, which the M's needed, but the M's decided to return him to Minnesota(because he was drafted in the Rule 5 Draft). Did pitched solid, but not enough to make the roster.

Cesar Jimenez (15 Day DL): Always gets hurt. He missed most of last season. Should help if he stays healthy.