Mariners sign infielder Ryan to two-year deal, avoid arbitration

The Mariners have sidestepped the arbitration process with infielder Brendan Ryan, announcing this afternoon they have signed him to a two-year contract. It leaves three others still in line for arbitration — pitchers David Aardsma, Brandon League and Jason Vargas.

Reports early this week said the Mariners and Ryan had already agreed to a two-year contract worth $2.75 million, paying him $1 million this year and $1.75 million in 2012. Those reports were premature, the team said, and the deal wasn’t finalized until today.

The Mariners acquired Ryan from the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this offseason in exchange for minor league pitcher Maikel Cleto. Considered one of the National League’s best defenders at shortstop, Ryan will go into spring training as the favorite to play second base for the Mariners.

However, with shortstop Jack Wilson’s history of injury, Ryan also figures solidly in the picture on that side of the bag as well.

Ryan, who played college ball at Lewis-Clark State, has been with the Cardinals since they drafted him in the seventh round in 2003. In four major league seasons, he has a .259 batting average, .314 on-base percentage and .344 slugging percentage. He struggled to a .223 average last year, when he had wrist surgery before the season and never found himself offensively. In 2009, Ryan batted .292/.340/.400.