An early check-in on the Mariners Opening Day position battles

Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty ImagesThe past three years, Spring Training has been a source of consternation more than excitement. Watching established veterans at nearly every position attempt to avoid injury while getting their reps in is more stressful than stimulating. For all the roster turnover, 2017 and 2018 both centered largely around “Who is playing 1st?” and “What’s in left field?” debates. Plenty of easy choices remain this year, but a bit more is up for debate than the 25th-man spot going to Taylor Motter or Andrew Romine.

Center Field

Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty ImagesThe answer to this, at some point this year, should be Mallex Smith. Smith was acquired to play center,…