Mariners’ minor-league staff set; Saunders signed

By Shannon Drayer

The Mariners have announced the full-season minor-league coaching staff for 2014 and there are changes. As I wrote Friday, the Mariners have hired long-time major-league coach Rich Donnelly to manage Triple-A Tacoma. Former Tacoma manager Daren Brown will remain with the organization as the minor-league bunting and baserunning coach. Joining Donnelly in Tacoma as pitching coach will be former Mariners bullpen coach Jamie Navarro. Corry Snyder, who spent the last three seasons with Double-A Jackson, will be the hitting coach.

James Horner moves up a level to manage Jackson and brings pitching coach Lance Painter and hitting coach Roy Howell with him. That group will be replaced with Eddie Menchaca (manager), Andrew Lorraine (pitching coach) and Max Venable at High Desert.

Chris Prieto will manage Clinton, Cibney Bello will be the pitching coach and Mike Kincade has been assigned as a coach.

Speaking of coaches, we had an opportunity to chat with new Mariners first-base and outfield coach Andy Van Slyke Tuesday night on “The Hot Stove League Show”. We probably could have talked to him for an hour and he probably would have been okay with that. Very enjoyable conversation. If you missed it, never fear, we have a podcast.

One of Van Slyke’s outfielders will not have to worry about an arbitration hearing during spring training as the team announced Wednesday morning that it has signed Michael Saunders to a contract for 2014. Justin Smoak and Logan Morrison are the Mariners’ remaining arbitration-eligible players.