Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik told The News Tribune on Monday that the loser of the Nick Franklin/Brad Miller battle at shortstop will be optioned to Tacoma, where he will get regular at-bats.
"With young players," Zduriencik said, "it's very important that they play regularly."
Franklin and Miller would have played alongside one another this season, but the team signed Robinson Cano to play second base. There have been trade rumors floating around Franklin all winter, and a deal is still just as solid a possibility as a demotion (if he loses the competition).
Franklin, 23, hit .225 with 12 home runs and six steals in 102 games last year for the Mariners. Miller, 24, hit .265 with eight home runs and five steals in 76 games.