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.
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.
cool steve thx bro
Beckham is the biggest bust in the past decade
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.
Clearly you don’t follow Mariners first round draft picks.
Seattle drafting_________really set their franchise back.
Haha nicely done
Jeff Clement, Dustin Ackley, Danny Hultzen, Taijuan Walker, Ryan Anderson….
Taijuan Walker was a bust?
I wouldn’t say he has lived up to his 1st round draft choice.
His health going forward will decide that.
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.
They resigned Ackley so he can still rederm himself.
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.
Matt Hobgood on line 1.
Josh Hart on line 2.
Hunter Harvey on line 3…
And that’s just the Orioles since 2008.
Billy Rowell, Mark Appel
Just remember Beckham when your team is flailing and going for that 1st draft. Rays could have had Buster Posey.
Hmmmm…
Seems pretty reasonable for a backup infielder who should be able to cover 2B/SS/3B, albeit not well.
Not a bad buy low move.
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.
Much bigger concern is his defense. Neglected in article.
Damn, was hoping my Tigers might get him.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Must evidence of why dual guys may pick football
Tim Beckham and JP Crawford Dumpster diving in Seattle
They should find your comments in there
Got hemmmmm
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.
Did you even read the article?
Yes, garbage move
Nice buy low candidate.
What was the point of signing Ackley then? I thought he was going to be the utility infielder
Ackley will enjoy plenty of AAA atbats
Are the Orioles going to be in the major leagues this year?
Now that’s just not nice.
Are they?
I’ve never been to Baltimore but people in that town deserve better.Love crab cakes though
No one deserves anything
Wow….good luck with that. Enjoy the hot streak but know after it ends know that winter is coming.