Brad Wilkerson has left the team, supposedly on his own volition.  The veteran had not been formerly released or demoted, but he likely read the tea leaves (the “tea leaves” being his .119 batting average in 42 spring at-bats) and decided to proactively look for another team.

I’m actually grateful that he had as bad of a spring as he did; if he even played respectively, he probably would have made the team over the inexperienced Jeff Bailey and Chris Carter, and we’d be forced to watch him flounder through the first two months of the season.  Fortunately, his spring performance didn’t deceive anyone.

Now we look at the two remaining candidates:

Jeff Bailey: 45 spring at-bats, .356/.455/.600, 8 XBH, 8 K
Chris Carter: 64 spring at-bats, .359/.388/.703, 10 XBH, 7 K

Both guys are having monster springs.  Carter has flashed a bit more power, and Bailey has shown a bit more plate discipline.  This is a true Spring Training Battle, as we’re sitting here on March 30th and the decision has yet to be made.  Personally, I’d go with Bailey.  The fact that he’s a right-handed hitter and he plays a better first base makes him a slightly better fit.  Plus, I have long been a fan of his offensive game.

Either way, “Mission Accomplished”, I’d say.  I’ve been lobbying for one of these two guys to get a shot in spite of the Kotsay/Wilkerson acquisitions, and now it’s about to happen.  Sadly, Mark Kotsay is all but guaranteed to reclaim his spot and send the winner of this battle down to the minors again in May or so.  Hopefully, Kotsay will get a short leash, and won’t be around for long if he struggles.

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