--RHP Tyler Walker agreed to a one-year, $750,000 deal with the Mariners, and he could get a shot at replacing RHP J.J. Putz as the team's closer. Walker was released by the Giants after last season, when he went 5-8 with a 4.56 ERA in 65 games. His closing experience is limited largely to a 23-save season with San Francisco in 2005.
--2B Jose Lopez is having another big winter with Lara in Venezuela, averaging .349 with six homers in 109 at-bats. Significantly for the Mariners, he has 13 walks; the Mariners have longed for him to take more walks. --INF/OF Mike Morse, who has spent almost the entire winter season in Venezuela with Lara, had a .310 average with eight homers in 155 at-bats. Morse will come to spring training with the hope of being the club's DH or first baseman.
--LHP Cesar Jimenez, a reliever in the big leagues with Seattle for the most part, has been mostly starting in Venezuela for Lara, going 2-2 with a 4.55 ERA. His control has been off, though, and his WHIP was 1.59.
--1B Bryan LaHair might try to inject himself into the currently open left field role in spring training. LaHair was signed as an outfielder before being moved to first base, but the club has an opening in the outfield at the moment.
--LHP Jose Lugo, picked up in the Rule 5 draft, will have a chance to make the Seattle roster in the bullpen. GM Jack Zduriencik said he was excited about the chance to see Lugo this spring after the Mariners made a cash trade with the Royals in the Rule 5 draft.
--INF Reegie Corona will come to spring training with a chance to be the club's backup infielder. The 22-year-old hit .274 for Class AAA Trenton in 2008 and stole 24 bases in 28 tries before the Mariners picked him with the second selection in the Rule 5 draft. "We're excited to give him a chance to play and see what he can do," GM Jack Zduriencik said. "He's a classic 2-hole hitter, and his numbers aren't bad at all."
BY THE NUMBERS: 28 -- Double plays turned by the Mariners last season while RHP Felix Hernandez was on the mound. He ranked fourth in the American League in GIDP.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think you'll see big things from Yuni next year. You should see the way he's working out. He's motivated." -- Former LF Raul Ibanez on SS Yuniesky Betancourt.
