Mariners to sign infielder Rickie Weeks

The Seattle Mariners have agreed to sign infielder Rickie Weeks, according to Jim Bowden of ESPN. Bowden reports that Weeks' deal is a one-year, MLB pact that is worth $2 million. The deal also includes $2 million worth of incentives.

The 32-year-old Weeks hit .274/.357/.452 with eight homers and 29 runs batted in over 286 plare appearances last year. Weeks, who has spent his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers, will be heading to the American League for the first time of his career. He has never played in the Mariners' home at Safeco Field.

Weeks has played second base for his entire career, playing almost 9,000 innings at the position. With Robinson Cano at second base, the Mariners may try to use Weeks in the outfield, and according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, they plan to use him there "a lot."

Last season, Weeks was approached to see if he would be willing to take reps in the outfield with Scooter Gennett being a better option at second, but he declined. Presumably he understands that the Mariners won't be moving Cano to the outfield, so therefore he must be open to making the change.

Currently, in the outfield, the Mariners have Dustin Ackley in left, Austin Jackson in center, and Seth Smith in right. While all three spots are pretty solid, Weeks would be a good utility option all around, including at designated hitter, if newly-signed Nelson Cruz needs a day off.

The signing of Weeks is a good one for the Mariners. He can help fill in at a lot of different spots around the team.

--Devan Fink

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