The Mariners signed second baseman Rickie Weeks to a one-year contract worth about $2 million, with an additional $2 million in performance-based incentives included, according to a Wednesday report from ESPN’s Jim Bowden.
The signing is contingent on Weeks passing a physical.
Weeks presumably will back up second baseman Robinson Cano and add depth to the Mariners’ bench. He could also compete for playing time in a corner outfield spot.
The 32-year-old played his first 11 seasons of his MLB career with the Milwaukee Brewers, posting a .249/.347/.424 slash line and making an All-Star appearance in 2011. His best year came in 2010, when he hit 29 home runs, drove in 83 runs and posted an .830 OPS in 160 games.
Last season, he was limited to 121 games but hit .274 with eight home runs, 29 RBIs and an .809 OPS in 252 at bats before becoming a free agent.
6 Comments
Careful guys. Don’t give up the best bp in the league for a so so player
Interesting signing. They already have Bloomquist as their #1 off the bench utility player. Is Weeks going to compete for the starting SS position? Or is this just added bench strength?
I think it’s for bench strength. Not sure the M’s needed to spend $2 million for a backup 2B unless they’re going to give Weeks some playing time in the outfield too. What they really need among position players is a backup 1B. Even so, this is a good signing. I’ve liked Weeks since he was at LSU and he’s the kind of player who can succed at Safeco: A line-drive hitter with speed who plays decent defense.
And the M’s gave up nothing but money, Herb. This is a free agent signing.
I’m assuming Willie might be starting the season on the DL. However I’m surprised he came here. He has no shot at all at signing. Surprised none of the other AL West teams picked him up. They all could use him IMO.
according to his splits, Weeks hits left-handers better than right-handers. I’m thinking they’ll platoon him with Ackley.
In all honesty I didn’t look up Ackley’s splits – I assume he hits righties better because he bats left handed – because I don’t want to be reminded, this early in the spring, when optimism is expected to reign, of his persistent ongoing fecklessness.
head scratcher