The Seattle Mariners signed four more players – all with some big-league experience – to minor league contracts, and invited each to spring training, 2011.
The club signed LHP Fabio Castro, RHP Charlie Haeger - a knuckleball specialist – INF Luis Rodriguez and RHP Chris Smith.
Some background on each:
- Castro, 25, has 30 major league appearances with the Rangers (2006) and Phillies (2006-07), going 0-1 with a 3.30 earned run average. He spent last season with the Red Sox AAA team, going 7-9 with a 4.93 ERA in 31 appearances (15 starts).
- Haeger, 27, made the Dodgers Opening Day roster last season and went 0-4, 8.40 in in 9 games (6 starts) . In parts of five seasons with the White Sox (2006-07), Padres (2008) and Dodgers (2009-10), Haeger is 2-7 with a 6.40 ERA. Among the reasons he was brought in: the success of former Mariner knuckleballer R.A. Dickey with the Mets last year.
- Rodriguez, 30, has appeared in 363 career big-league games with the Twins (2005-07) and Padres (2008-09), making starts at each infield position Last season the switch-hitting Rodriguez played for the Chicago White Sox AAA team and had a breakout year at the plate - batting .293 with 17 doubles, 2 triples, 16 home runs and 56 RBI in 94 games.
- Smith, 29, has pitched in the big-leagues in each of the last three seasons with the Red Sox (2008) and Brewers (2009-10). The reliever has a 1-0, 5.19 in 50 career appearances. Smith spent most of 2010 season with the Brewers AAA team, went 4-3 with a 3.56 ERA in 47 appearances and led the Pacific Coast League with 26 saves.
STOP BRINGING IN PITCHERS FOR GOD SAKE! Dont we need big bats first and formost?!
× Flag comment
long – you don’t find the kind of bats the mariners need amongst minor-league free agents. you can find arms, and the mariners aren’t taking much of a chance inviting them to camp and pushing them into the minor league system.
if the bats come, they’ll come later – or from within (mike wilson, greg halman, carlos peguero). be patient, at least for now.
× Flag comment
Frightening, but it looks like career minor leaguer Luis Rodriguez could be the M’s second best hitter!
× Flag comment
in my opionion is that in Spring Training all Jobs should be open except for Felix /Ichiro/ Franklin but everyone else should be flat out competion to start in the lineup because frankly if they bring in the same team this season to next season Mariner will once again finish next to last. Thought I think you promote Ackley and Michael Pineda to major league roster but have 6 man rotation so you can limit Pineda inning and starts, the 6 guy will just be long reliever in the bullpen that can make spot start.
× Flag comment
I agree with Big Mike Except for the 6 man rotation.
× Flag comment
Moo
When I mean 6 man rotation it would help M’s as like they did with Michael Pineda this season and most likely their going to do that to protect his arm in 2011 season, it would mean he get some start skips and would limit his inning.
Thought the 6th man could be guy we get on minor league contract.
× Flag comment
Think Felix would like a 6th man rotation….mmm…..NO.
× Flag comment