32-year old switch hitting Chone Figgins is the new starting 3B for the Mariners. He played in 158 games for the Angels last season and he was 183 for 615 (.298 avg, .788 OPS) with 114 runs scored, 5 homers, 54 RBIs and 42 stolen bases. Figgins also walked 101 times last season which will make him the perfect #2 hitter in the lineup for the Mariners. Figgins made 14 errors in 154 games for the Angels last season and he showed good range. I love the addition of Figgins because his addition really helps the Mariners while his loss will hurt the Angels.

29-year old lefty swinging Jack Hannahan will likely be the backup at 3B and 1B for the Mariners in 2010. Hannahan played in 51 games for the Mariners last season and he was 34 for 148 (.230 avg, .656 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 3 homers and 11 RBIs. He played in 103 games overall for the A’s and Mariners last season in which he was 57 for 267 (.213 avg, .623 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 4 homers and 19 RBIs. Hannahan made 7 errors in 84 games at 3B last season while showing good range.

23-year old righty swinging Matt Tuiasosopo played in 7 games for the Mariners last season and he was 5 for 22 (.227 avg, .689 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. He also played in 68 games in Rookie+AAA-ball last season and he was 70 for 253 (.277 avg, .861 OPS) with 52 runs scored, 12 homers, 38 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Tuiasosopo is one of the better prospects for the Mariners but it’s more likely that he will be trade bait in 2010.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 3B IN 2010: A-