Mariners add infielder Tim Beckham, reliever Cory Gearrin
Jan 10, 2019, 10:26 AM | Updated: 3:31 pm
New Mariners infielder Tim Beckham was the No. 1 overall pick in 2008. (AP)
(AP)
Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto checked a couple of boxes off his offseason shopping list Thursday morning, signing infielder Tim Beckham and reliever Cory Gearrin to one-year deals.
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To make room for the two veterans on the 40-man roster, the Mariners designated outfielder John Andreoli for assignment.
The moves, which were first reported Thursday morning, were announced Thursday afternoon by Seattle.
“Cory Gearrin brings much needed veteran experience and stability to the back of our bullpen. He has been a solid under the radar performer, particularly over the past two seasons,” general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a press release. “Tim Beckham is a very talented player who is one year removed from being one of the more productive shortstops in the American League. He is a real offensive threat with multi-position defensive versatility that fits our team very well.”
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the 28-year-old Beckham will receive $1.75 million and have another $250,000 available in incentives. The former No. 1 pick from the 2008 draft broke in with Tampa in 2013 and played the last two seasons in Baltimore, where he hit .258/.309/.429 in 632 plate appearances. He was second-year arbitration eligible this winter but the Orioles chose to non-tender his contract.
The addition of Beckham gives the Mariners the chance to start the recently-acquired J.P. Crawford at Triple-A if they feel he needs more work after a tough first full season with the Phillies last year. The Mariners are looking for Crawford, who turns 24 Friday, to make adjustments at the plate, and to help with that new hitting coach Tim Laker is scheduled to travel this week to work with him at his home.
Dipoto said recently that he expected to add at least one veteran to a bullpen that has been hit hard by recent moves. Enter Gearrin, a right-handed reliever who has spent the majority of his seven-year career in the National League playing for the Braves and Giants. The 32 year old split 2018 between the Giants, Rangers and A’s, where he put up a 3.77 ERA in 62 appearances. Gearrin has worked mostly in middle relief, typically making one-inning appearances, but he has been used for more on occasion.
The moves come a day after Dustin Ackley was signed to a minor league contract.
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