The news worked its way around Twitter and has been confirmed by a Mariner exec so I think we're safe to assume these are happening as reported. I'd like to see further confirmation from one of the beat writers, but they're over in east coast land, so I doubt that's coming soon.

Kyle Seager moves up to Tacoma to fill the Dustin Ackley void left at second base. He's had a very nice season to date with Double-A posting a well above league-average wOBA. His batting average is a little inflated and he doesn't hit much for power at all, but he has solid on base skills and it's time to see if those transition to a higher level. Without another step forward in hitting, Seager's ceiling is probably that of a utility player unless his defense is a legitimate tool. I have no idea. Hopefully someone can share some informed opinions, but keep in mind to not even take those as gospel seeing as how, Dustin Ackley and all.

Nick Franklin also moves up a rung which is the more curious move. Though the timing is what a lot of people expected coming into 2011, Franklin has had a mighty disappointing offensive season so far with High Desert. His power has disappeared and his home/road splits (.917 OPS/.581 OPS) are worrisome. Perhaps the front office just wanted to get him out of the warped confines of High Desert. His ability to hit for average and get on base stayed constant and even improved a little, so it hasn't been all bad in 2011.

Another wrinkle with Franklin's promotion is that he plays shortstop and so far, so has Carlos Triunfel. Now, nobody has ever been optimistic that Triunfel would stick at short all the way up, but he has so far and he's actually hitting this season and is just 21. One of them might move to second to take Seager's place.