Mariners sign Rickie Weeks to Major League contract
Multi-use player has appeared in 1,142 career games with the Brewers.
SEATTLE, Wash. - Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik announced today the club has signed infielder/outfielder Rickie Weeks to a Major League contract for the 2015 season. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Mariners Transactions:
• Rickie Weeks, INF/OF, signed to Major League contract for 2015 season.
• Edgar Olmos, LHP, designated for assignment.
Weeks, 32, has spent his entire career in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, appearing in 1,142 Major League games from 2003-2014. In parts of 11 Major League seasons, Weeks has combined to bat .249 with 203 doubles, 32 triples, 148 home runs and 430 RBI. His best seasons were a three-year stretch from 2010-2012 when he combined to bat .255 with 87 doubles, 10 triples, 70 home runs and 195 RBI in 435 games. He was the National League starting second baseman in the 2011 All-Star Game and participated in the Home Run Derby.
Last season Weeks appeared in 121 games for the Brewers, batting .274 (69x252) with 19 doubles, 8 home runs and 29 RBI (.357 OBP, .452 SLG, .809 OPS).
During his Major League career he has played exclusively second base (8 games at DH). He is expected to fill a multi-use role with the Mariners heading into spring training.
"Rickie is a talented player who will be used at multiple positions," said Zduriencik. "His toughness, right-handed bat and Major League experience are desirable factors for our 2015 ball club. We look forward to Rickie's contributions this season and see him as a very nice fit, complementing the pieces we already have in place."
Weeks was the second overall selection in the 2003 June Draft after an All-American career at Southern University. He won the NCAA batting title in 2002 (.495) and 2003 (.479), and was the 2003 Golden Spikes Award winner. He made his Major League debut in 2003 after only 21 games in the minor leagues.
To make room on the Major League 40-man roster, LHP Edgar Olmos was designated for assignment. The Mariners have 10 days to trade, release or outright Olmos' contract to the minors. Olmos was acquired by the Mariners via a waiver claim from the Miami Marlins on Nov. 20, 2014.
Pitchers and catchers will report to spring training in Peoria, AZ on Feb. 20 (physicals) and hold the first workout Feb. 21. Position players are scheduled to report for physicals Feb. 24 and the first full-squad workout will be Feb. 25.