The puzzle that is the Seattle Mariners’ 25-man roster was given another new piece Monday with the addition of Ryan Garko, a 29-year-old right-handed hitting first baseman who can also fill in as a third catcher.
General manager Jack Zduriencik continues to build a new-look team for 2010 – this after renovating the 2009 edition from a 101-loss group to one that won 85 games.
Look away for a few days this winter and you’re likely to miss another move. Short of right-handed hitters as late as last week, the Mariners have now added two in the span of four days in Garko and outfielder Eric Byrnes.
Of the 25 players on Seattle’s opening day roster last season, 15 are no longer with the organization. Of the opening day lineup, only two position players – center fielder Franklin Gutierrez and second baseman Jose Lopez – have the chance to be in the 2010 opening day lineup.
That’s turnover – and Garko had been watching from his home in Phoenix.
“I believe in where this team’s going. I wanted to return to the AL, I’m a better fit there, and Seattle was having a great offseason,” Garko said. “I wanted to play for a team that had the chance to win it all.”
“Jack never stops working,” manager Don Wakamatsu said. “He’s thinking about everything, including injuries we had last year, times we were a little short. As he likes to say, he likes to maneuver from a position of strength. This makes us a deeper team.”
In Garrko, the Mariners landed a man with a career .313 batting average against left-handed pitching, and a player likely to split time with newcomer Casey Kotchman.
A catcher throughout his minor league career, Garko could also see a little action behind the plate.
“I caught all the way to Triple-A,” Garko said. “I think it’s important to have that third catcher, give Don some options. I plan on working hard on it this spring.”
It’s a low-risk, low-cost deal – Garko signed for a base salary of $550,000 – that gives Seattle options. Against left-handed pitching, for instance, the Mariners could now start right-handed hitters – including switch-hitters Chone Figgins and Milton Bradley – everywhere but right field if it chose.
Garko fits into that style of play, if only because his career batting average against left-handed pitchers (.313) is far higher than against right-handed pitchers (.266).
Last year he played for the Indians and Giants, batting .268 with 13 homers and 51 RBI in 118 games, then was not offered a contract by San Francisco this off-season.
“My observations of Ryan, and I don’t know him except to say hello, have always been that he has a hard-nosed approach to the game, that he’s versatile but knows how to play,” Wakamatsu said. “And he wanted to play in Seattle.”
Signed for $550,000 – just $150,000 above the big-league minimum – Garko has incentives based on playing time and at-bats that could push his salary above $1 million but aren’t likely to be reached.
In making room on their 40-man roster for Garko, the Mariners designated right-handed pitcher Gaby Hernandez for assignment, giving them 10 days to trade, release or outright him to the minors.
Garko is looking forward to reuniting with a pair of former teammates from Cleveland – Cliff Lee and Gutierrez.
“I was surprised when Cliff was traded, and I’m excited to play with him again. He’s the best,“ Garko said. “Franklin and I came up together and broke into the big leagues together. I’m really proud of him. He’s big-time now.”
larry.larue@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners
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