After 16 years in professional Baseball, Jamie Burke still doesn't have any assurances of a major league spot, but he's sticking with the organization that has placed the most faith in him.
The backup catcher and favorite receiver of many of the Mariners' pitchers the past two years, signed a minor league contract Tuesday to return despite Seattle's crowded and uncertain situation at his position. Burke, a 37-year-old ((age)) journeyman, had played in just 73 major league games before making an Opening Day roster for the first time with the Mariners in 2007.
"I definitely feel like I've found a home," the Oregon native said Tuesday. "Everybody's treated me well here. We had a rough year last year, but I just try to put that behind me."
New general manager Jack Zduriencik didn't know a lot about Burke when he took over, but new manager Don Wakamatsu worked with Burke in the Angels organization, where Wakamatsu was the roving catching instructor from 2001-02.
"He and Don's paths have crossed, as have some of the other coaches, and a lot of people in the organization know him," Zduriencik said. "He's a character guy, and we're glad to have him back."
Burke's signing doesn't necessarily mean the Mariners will go with three catchers on the major league roster, but it gives the team a lot of flexibility. For much of last season, they did carry three, bouncing Kenji Johjima and Jeff Clement between catching and designated hitting. Burke was injury insurance when both Johjima and Clement were in the lineup, and didn't play much, getting just 21 at-bats in the final two months of the season.
He appeared in 48 games, batting .261, and even pitched an inning, creditably, in a 15-inning game against Detroit on July 6.
Johjima, who has three years left on his contract, and Clement, one of the team's brightest prospects, both batted just .227 last season. With new management in place, the Mariners will be evaluating all their catchers - well-regarded prospect Rob Johnson also will be in the mix - and might seek to add a full-time DH.
"I'm in the situation I'm usually in, going in there (to spring training) and trying to win a job," Burke said.
"I'll try to show these guys that I can be the backup or the third catcher or whatever they want me to do.
"But I'm probably not as comfortable coming into spring training as I was last year, I'll tell you that."
"Jamie will battle for a spot on the 25-man roster," Zduriencik said. "There were no promises made, but he'll get the chance to compete."
