Seattle Mariners News: Veteran Catcher Chris Iannetta Inks One-Year Deal with Team
Professional baseball catcher Chris Iannetta inked a one-year $4.25 million deal with the Seattle Mariners on Monday, hoping that he will start for the team in the coming 2016 season. The deal was announced along with the possibility of gaining $1.75 million for performance bonus and a club option for 2017, which may allow the catcher to obtain a guaranteed payday of $6 million.
According to Ianetta, getting the chance to sign with the Mariners is one good way to prove that he's not done. "I think it was an opportunity to get back and in a situation to play and prove that this past year was just a down year," he said via conference call with the Associated Press.
But in order to give him the spot in the already filled 40-man roster, the Mariners had to designate John Hicks for assignment.
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Before joining Seattle with this announcement, Iannetta spent four years with the Angels in LA, but his struggles in the plate in the recently concluded season, hitting just .188 with 10 HRs and 34 RBI, forced the Angels to let go of him.
The deal might not look so beneficial to Seattle, but the decision of new GM Jerry Dipoto is all about producing some depth for the team, particularly relieving Mike Zunino some pressure behind the plate. "I think Chris has always drawn deep at-bats and gets on base. Even relative to a rough year on batting average, the other numbers all stacked up," general manager Dipoto said. It remains to be seen if the veteran can provide something positive for the Mariners next year.
The 32-year-old Iannetta is now on his third team after being selected in the fourth round by the Colorado Rockies. He spent six years with the team that drafted him before eventually joining Los Angeles in a trade involving pitcher Tyler Chatwood. Playing in 852 games, he currently owns a batting average of .232.
