Headlines

  • Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow
  • Astros To Promote Brice Matthews
  • Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers
  • Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help
  • Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays
  • Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Mariners To Sign Tim Beckham

By Steve Adams | January 10, 2019 at 9:07am CDT

The Mariners have agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent infielder Tim Beckham, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The Wasserman client will earn a $1.75MM base salary and can take home another $250K worth of incentives as part of the deal.

Tim Beckham | Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Beckham, non-tendered by the Orioles earlier this winter, fits the mold described by Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto recently when he said he expected to sign a “middle-of-the-infield stabilizer” to provide some protection for trade acquisition J.P. Crawford.

Crawford, acquired in the trade that sent Jean Segura to the Phillies, still figures to get the opportunity to prove that he can be the Mariners’ long-term answer at shortstop, but by adding Beckham, the Mariners are bringing in an experienced player to hold down the position in the event that Crawford struggles early and requires additional minor league time to get up to speed. It’s worth noting that Crawford has just over a full year of Major League service (one year, 20 days), so if the Mariners don’t give him 152 days of Major League service in 2019, he won’t reach a full second year of service and will thus be controlled for a full extra season. There’s no indication that Seattle plans to deliberately operate in that manner, but it’ll be an interesting scenario to watch unfold.

Beckham, 29 later this month, was the No. 1 overall pick by the Rays back in the 2008 draft. He’s obviously been unable to live up to that lofty billing to this point in his career, but he did post a quality .269/.320/.449 batting line with 27 home runs, 30 doubles and 10 triples in 790 plate appearances between the Rays and Orioles from 2016-17. Strikeouts were an ongoing issue for Beckham during that time, though, as he punched out in more than 30 percent of his plate appearances in that time.

Beckham managed to curtail those strikeout woes substantially in 2018, dropping his strikeout rate to 24.9 percent. However, his overall production at the plate dissipated as well; he batted just .230/.287/.374 in Baltimore last season and saw his hard-hit rate fell by roughly five percent, per Statcast. Even if Beckham can’t replicate his 2016-17 production (and/or Crawford quickly takes to the everyday shortstop role), his right-handed bat could pair nicely with the left-handed-hitting Kyle Seager at third base.

Because he has four years, 134 days of Major League service time, Beckham wouldn’t qualify as a free agent next winter even if he spends the entire season on the Mariners’ roster. He’d remain arbitration-eligible for one final season, thus making him a potential multi-year option in Seattle, even if he ultimately settles into a platoon or utility role.

Share 0 Retweet 16 Send via email0

Seattle Mariners Transactions Tim Beckham

Rangers Sign Shelby Miller
Main
Giants Showing Interest In DJ LeMahieu, Exploring Joe Panik Trades
View Comments (42)
Post a Comment

42 Comments

  1. JJB

    7 years ago

    cool steve thx bro

    1
    Reply
  2. thorshair

    7 years ago

    Beckham is the biggest bust in the past decade

    1
    Reply
    • khopper10

      7 years ago

      No way that’s true. Danny Hultzen, Bubba Starling, Jon Singleton, I could keep going.

      Seattle drafting Hultzen when most outlets thought they’d take Rendon has really set the franchise back.

      14
      Reply
    • dannycore

      7 years ago

      Clearly you don’t follow Mariners first round draft picks.

      6
      Reply
      • 24TheKid

        7 years ago

        Seattle drafting_________really set their franchise back.

        8
        Reply
        • khopper10

          7 years ago

          Haha nicely done

          1
          Reply
        • throwinched10

          7 years ago

          Jeff Clement, Dustin Ackley, Danny Hultzen, Taijuan Walker, Ryan Anderson….

          2
          Reply
        • Codeeg

          7 years ago

          Taijuan Walker was a bust?

          5
          Reply
        • throwinched10

          7 years ago

          I wouldn’t say he has lived up to his 1st round draft choice.

          2
          Reply
        • DarkSide830

          7 years ago

          His health going forward will decide that.

          Reply
        • gavinrendar

          7 years ago

          He was a supplemental first round pick for the Mariners losing Beltre. He’s on a trajectory to be better than the average 37th pick (or whatever it was).

          He probably already has more WAR than the vast majority of 37th picks.

          2
          Reply
        • HardWorkingAmerican

          7 years ago

          They resigned Ackley so he can still rederm himself.

          Reply
    • maximumvelocity

      7 years ago

      In fairness, 2008 was one of the worst drafts in the past decade. Only five players out of the top 30 have bWAR above 10, and only two in top five – Buster Posey and Hosmer. He isn’t even the biggest bust in that draft. The No. 6 pick had 4 career plate appearances. And Pedro Alvarez and Brian Matusz haven’t spent a full year in a roster since 2016.

      4
      Reply
    • Christopher_Oriole

      7 years ago

      Matt Hobgood on line 1.
      Josh Hart on line 2.
      Hunter Harvey on line 3…

      And that’s just the Orioles since 2008.

      2
      Reply
      • dimitrios in la

        7 years ago

        Billy Rowell, Mark Appel

        Reply
    • nuschler22

      7 years ago

      Just remember Beckham when your team is flailing and going for that 1st draft. Rays could have had Buster Posey.

      Reply
  3. southern lion

    7 years ago

    Hmmmm…

    Reply
  4. khopper10

    7 years ago

    Seems pretty reasonable for a backup infielder who should be able to cover 2B/SS/3B, albeit not well.

    Reply
  5. jdgoat

    7 years ago

    Not a bad buy low move.

    6
    Reply
    • tiltedgambler

      7 years ago

      Yep. He still has the talent to produce just fine and it’s clearly a point of emphasis for him to drop his K rate, but it takes time to retool your swing and then more time to be successful with it.

      I like this spot for him.

      1
      Reply
      • dimitrios in la

        7 years ago

        Much bigger concern is his defense. Neglected in article.

        Reply
  6. ScottRC

    7 years ago

    Damn, was hoping my Tigers might get him.

    2
    Reply
  7. bradthebluefish

    7 years ago

    3.3 WAR in 2017
    0.7 WAR in 2018

    Considering Beckham is 28 years old and is about to hit his prime, can’t help but think he’ll be a solid contributor to the Mariners. Maybe even be a mid season trade candidate.

    4
    Reply
  8. OCTraveler

    7 years ago

    This compares well with the Nationals’ signing of Dozier. Both teams signed serviceable infielders who will fill spots and offer average/above average numbers. Good moves by both organizations with the Mariners spending a considerable lesser amount of cash in doing so.

    5
    Reply
  9. mmarinersfan

    7 years ago

    Even if Crawford lights the world on fire in spring, he won’t make the team anyway. They’ll manipulate the service time scenario. But, Crawford wasn’t that special in AAA his last time around, so more time there won’t hurt either.

    Reply
  10. muskie73

    7 years ago

    For infield depth, in the past two days the Mariners reportedly have signed the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft and the No. 2 pick in the 2009 draft.

    Evidence of the uncertainty of top draft picks.

    2
    Reply
    • wrigleywannabe

      7 years ago

      Must evidence of why dual guys may pick football

      Reply
  11. timewalk42

    7 years ago

    Tim Beckham and JP Crawford Dumpster diving in Seattle

    1
    Reply
    • wrigleywannabe

      7 years ago

      They should find your comments in there

      7
      Reply
      • bigdaddyhacks

        7 years ago

        Got hemmmmm

        Reply
  12. Matthew De Lorge

    7 years ago

    More help so they can finish in last. Way to supplement a bad team with more bad players. Trader Jerry will likely try and trade him ASAP.

    Reply
    • wrigleywannabe

      7 years ago

      Did you even read the article?

      1
      Reply
      • Matthew De Lorge

        7 years ago

        Yes, garbage move

        Reply
  13. southi

    7 years ago

    Nice buy low candidate.

    Reply
  14. BenjiB24

    7 years ago

    What was the point of signing Ackley then? I thought he was going to be the utility infielder

    Reply
    • shortytallz

      7 years ago

      Ackley will enjoy plenty of AAA atbats

      1
      Reply
  15. shortytallz

    7 years ago

    Are the Orioles going to be in the major leagues this year?

    2
    Reply
    • E munchy

      7 years ago

      Now that’s just not nice.

      Reply
      • shortytallz

        7 years ago

        Are they?

        Reply
    • Willy Mays

      7 years ago

      I’ve never been to Baltimore but people in that town deserve better.Love crab cakes though

      Reply
      • shortytallz

        7 years ago

        No one deserves anything

        Reply
  16. E munchy

    7 years ago

    Wow….good luck with that. Enjoy the hot streak but know after it ends know that winter is coming.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Astros To Promote Brice Matthews

    Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers

    Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help

    Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays

    Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu

    Trevor Williams To Undergo UCL Surgery

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Recent

    Mets To Designate Rico Garcia For Assignment

    J.D. Davis Signs With NPB’s Seibu Lions

    The Opener: 2025 Draft, Pitchers’ Duel, Mets

    Trade Deadline Outlook: New York Yankees

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Atlanta Braves

    Which Other Relievers Might The Orioles Shop?

    Lee Elia Passes Away

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Poll: Which Teams Should Make The Biggest Push For Jarren Duran?

    MLB Finalizes Home Run Derby Field

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version