Eight Mariners players who had already verbally agreed to contracts for the 2014 season signed their deals Thursday. The signings of three pitchers, a catcher, two infielders and two outfielders bring to 21 the number of contract players on the club’s 40-man roster.
The signees include RHP Logan Bawcom, LHP Anthony Hernandez, LHP James Paxon, catcher Mike Zunino, infielders Nick Franklin and Kyle Seager and outfielders Julio Morban and Stefen Romero.
Zunino, Franklin and Seager were starters last season, although Zunino spent time on the disabled list with a broken hand. In 52 games, he hit .214/.290/.309.
Franklin, who started the last half of 2013 at second base, lost that job when the Mariners signed free agent Robinson Cano away from the New York Yankees. Franklin and Brad Miller will compete for the starting shortstop job during spring training.
These players will be signed or renewed by March 11:
Pitchers (11): Blake Beavan, Danny Farquhar, Bobby LaFromboise, Lucas Luetge, Brandon Maurer, Yoervis Medina, Hector Noesi, Stephen Pryor, Erasmo Ramirez, Taijuan Walker, Tom Wilhelmsen.
Catchers (1): Jesus Sucre.
Infielders (4): Ji-Man Choi, Brad Miller, Jesus Montero, Carlos Triunfel.
Outfielders (3): Abraham Almonte, Xavier Avery, James Jones.