The Chone Figgins experiment in Seattle has been an awful one over the course of the last three years. Despite putting up big numbers with the Angels and earning a monster contract back in the 2009 offseason, Figgins has failed to do much more than make outs and frustrate thousands of fans while playing with the Mariners.
It appears that after years of frustration, manager Eric Wedge has finally seen enough of Figgins on a day-to-day basis.
Here is the latest news out of Seattle:
#Mariners manager Eric Wedge said Dustin Ackley will be the leadoff hitter going forward. Chone Figgins now a utility guy off the bench.
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) May 4, 2012
The most likely reason for the demotion? Figgins' slash line this season is .189/.250/.305, which ranks him among the worst in baseball among qualified hitters.
The news about Ackley moving up to leadoff should be an encouraging one, even though the young second baseman has struggled a bit in 2012. His .291 on-base percentage is not good for the leadoff spot, but that should improve as he continues to get comfortable at the Major League level.
For more on Figgins, Ackley and the Mariners, check out Lookout Landing.