The Seattle Mariners appear ready to head into 2010 with Jose Lopez as their starting second baseman, according to Larry LaRue of The News Tribune.
The Mariners considered Lopez, who turned 26 yesterday, one of their few trade chips heading into the offseason, but they've received very little interest. Although Lopez is still young and provides power from second base (25 homers last season), his 2009 OBP was exactly in line with his subpar career rate of .303. LaRue also notes that "other teams have seen his lack of range and quickness in the field," though Fangraphs is more forgiving of Lopez's defense (+1.5 UZR/150).
With Lopez virtually "untradeable" and the team unlikely to acquire a better alternative, it looks like the 26-year-old will return to Seattle as their everyday second baseman next year.
