Iannetta’s deal with Mariners contains performance bonuses

SEATTLE — More details surfaced Tuesday on free-agent catcher Chris Iannetta’s contract with the Seattle Mariners, which provides the opportunity for him to earn far more than his one-year guarantee for $4.25 million.

The deal includes $1.75 million in performance bonuses along with a club option for $4.25 million in 2017. The option can vest into a guaranteed year at $6 million based on the number of games that Iannetta starts in 2016.

Rule 5 risk

Triple-A Tacoma outfielder Jabari Blash ranks among the top candidates for selection in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, according to Baseball America.

The Mariners chose to expose Blash to the Dec. 10 draft when they didn’t add him to their 40-man roster prior to last Friday’s deadline.

Blash, 26, batted .271 last year in 116 games at Double-A Jackson (60) and Tacoma (56) with 32 home runs and 81 RBI. He was available, but went unselected, in last year’s draft.

“Blash doesn’t run as well as he did a few years ago,” Baseball America reported, “but he has prototypical right field tools and now he has upper-level minor league production as well.”

Players are eligible for the Rule 5 Draft if not placed on a club’s 40-man roster after four or five pro seasons. (Four years for players 19 or older when they signed their first contract; five years for those who were younger.)

Dream School

Robinson Cano’s RC22 Foundation opened its first Dream School — a Montessori School — on Tuesday in his hometown: San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.

The school will serve 100 youth, ranging in age from three to eight, and offer holistic community and employment training programs for residents.

The RC22 Foundation seeks to “expand opportunities for improved outcomes in the areas of youth development and community healthcare.”

Ex-M alert

Former Mariners outfielder Eric Thames, 29, was picked as the Most Valuable Player in the Korean Baseball Organization after batting .381 with 47 home runs and 140 RBI in 142 games for the NC Dinos.

Thames, who now plays first base, also had 40 steals in becoming the first 40-40 (home runs/stolen bases) player in KBO history.

Further, he won the slash triple crown (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) at .381/.497/.790.

The Mariners acquired Thames from Toronto in a June 30, 2012 trade for pitcher Steve Delabar. Thames batted .220 in 40 games over the remainder of the season with six homers and 14 RBI.

Thames batted .295 in 57 games for Triple-A Tacoma in 2013 with seven homers and 33 RBI before a June 30 trade sent him to Baltimore for utilityman Ty Kelly.

Looking back

It was 31 years ago Tuesday — Nov. 24, 1984 — that first baseman Alvin Davis became the first Mariners player to win a BBWAA award when selected as the American League Rookie of the Year.

Davis garnered 25 of the 28 first-place votes.

His teammate, left-handed pitcher Mark Langston, got the other three first-place votes and finished second.

The 1984 AL rookie class also included Minnesota outfielder Kirby Puckett (who finished third) and Boston right-hander Roger Clemens (who finished sixth).

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.