Notebook: Mariners finalizing deals to add Perry Hill, Tim Laker to staff

The Mariners are close to rounding out their coaching staff. Sources confirm that both Perry Hill and Tim Laker are in the process of finalizing contracts with the team. Once the contracts are signed, the Mariners’ coaching staff will be complete.

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Laker comes to the Mariners after spending the last two years as Arizona Diamondbacks assistant hitting coach. After an 11-year career as a backup catcher for the Expos, Orioles, Pirates, Rays and Indians, Laker jumped right into the coaching ranks, managing Cleveland’s short-A affiliate in 2007. Since then he has held various coaching or managing positions in a number of organizations. He was manager of the Mariners’ Double-A West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx in 2010 and led them to the Southern League playoffs.

Hill is set to fill the vacancy left by Scott Brosius, who was offered a position on the 2019 staff but decided not to accept. Hill worked closely with Dee Gordon as infield coach of the Miami Marlins, helping him transition from shortstop to second base, where he went on to win a Gold Glove.

While the positions have yet to be officially announced, it is expected that Hill will coach first base and Chris Prieto will shift to third base, the spot left open by Brosius.

Notes

• Shorewood High School can now boast a Cy Young Award winner. Seattle native and Rays left-hander Blake Snell took the award that is voted on by BBWAA members, just narrowly edging out Houston’s Justin Verlander for the honors. Cleveland’s Corey Kluber finished in third place. Mariners closer Edwin Díaz picked up four fifth-place votes and finished eighth in the voting, one place behind A’s closer Blake Treinen.

• According to a Tampa Bay Times report, the Mariners are in the mix for hiring former big leaguer and Spokane native Jared Sandberg as field coordinator. Sandberg, who is currently manager for the Rays’ Triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls, has interviewed with the Rays, Mariners and others, according to the report.

• The Seattle Times’ Larry Stone caught up with Manny Acta from the Dominican Republic, where he spends his off seasons as the GM of the Aguilas Cibaenas. The Mariners bench coach put up a strong defense of Scott Servais against accusations made by Dr. Lorena Martin.

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