The Mariners Monday signed free agent catcher Humberto Quintero to a minor league contract and extended an invitation to spring training next month in Peoria, AZ. Quintero, who split last season between the Mariners and Philadelphia Phillies, is not on the club’s 40-man roster.
Quintero, 34, appeared in 22 games for the Mariners last season, batting .224 with two home runs. Defensively, he combined to throw out 12 of 33 attempted base stealers (36.4 percent) with the Mariners and Phillies.
Quintero is a veteran of 11 major league seasons with the Padres (2003-2004), Astros (2005-2011), Royals (2012), Phillies (2013) and Mariners (2013). He began his professional career in 1997 in the Chicago White Sox organization.
The Mariners have signed four players to minor league deals that include an invitation to spring training: OF Cole Gillespie, RHP Matt Palmer, RHP Ramon Ramirez and Quintero.
Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 12 with the first on-field activity Feb. 13. Position players report Feb. 17 with the first full-squad workout Feb. 18.
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Nice to see the catching position addressed now rather than right before pitchers and catchers report. Looks like the only other free agent catchers the M’s might have considered were John Buck (.222, 15, 62) and Yorvit Torrealba. (.240, 0, 16) Miguel Olivo (.203, 4, 9) is also available. Not sure what the M’s are really looking for though in a catcher. Veteran mentor? Starting catcher? Do they want a good hitter or someone who works well with the pitchers? Defensive replacement? I was wondering if Quintero was signed with the intent of signing a pitcher from his previous team but there isn’t any free agents from Philly that I can find among their roster nor have any current M’s pitchers worked with him before.
Also hard to say just what kind of role Jesus Montero and Mike Zunino will play this year. I can see Zunino being the starter, I can see him being sent down and spending the year in Tacoma. Ditto on Montero once he comes back from suspension. Wish the M’s went after Geovany Soto or Brayan Pena during their spending spree.