Mariners Notes: M’s tender contracts to 32 unassigned players
Published 1:30 am Friday, December 2, 2016
By Bob Dutton
The News Tribune
SEATTLE — In the end Friday, the Mariners decided to keep everybody.
At least for now.
The Mariners tendered contracts to all 32 unsigned players on their 40-man roster prior to Friday’s deadline. Any unsigned player not receiving an offer would have become a free agent.
The decision, effectively, delays a decision on veteran catcher Jesus Sucre, who is out of options and eligible for arbitration. He is not expected to make the 25-man roster unless an injury sidelines Mike Zunino or Carlos Ruiz in spring training.
Sucre can’t be sent to the minors next season unless he clears waivers.
The Mariners have seven other unsigned players eligible for salary arbitration: Zunino, first baseman/outfielder Danny Valencia, shortstop Jean Segura, outfielder Leonys Martin and pitchers James Paxton, Nick Vincent and Evan Scribner.
Weber to Tacoma
Right-hander Ryan Weber was assigned outright Friday by the Mariners to Triple-A Tacoma after clearing waiver.
The Mariners designated Weber, 26, for assignment Nov. 28 to clear space on their 40-man roster after the club acquired right-hander Rob Whalen in a trade from Atlanta.
Coincidentally, Weber also pitched last season in the Atlanta system before the Mariners acquired him in a Nov. 2 waiver claim. He was 1-1 with a 5.45 ERA in 16 games, including two starts, for the Braves.
Weber currently projects as a starting pitcher next season in the Tacoma rotation.
Award for Gillick
Former Mariners general manager Pat Gillick will receive Roland Hemond Award next week at the Winter Meetings in National Harbor, Md.
The award is presented by Baseball America and seeks to recognize individuals for their achievements in scouting and player development. Hemond, 87, is a long-time baseball executive who still serves as a special assistant in Arizona.
Gillick, 79, was the Mariners general manager from 2000-03. He also filled that role for Toronto (1978-94), Baltimore (1996-98) and Philadelphia (2006-08). He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2011.
Short hops
Left-hander Wade LeBlanc, who made 11 appearances last season for the Mariners, avoided arbitration with Pittsburgh by reaching agreement on a one-year deal that includes an option for 2018. He is guaranteed $800,000…former Mariners reliever David Rollins was claimed on waivers for the third time in two weeks. This time he’s heading to Philadelphia. He was previously claimed by the Chicago Cubs from the Mariners, then by Texas from the Cubs, and now by the Phillies from the Rangers.
