PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Mariners added some infield depth to the organization by signing veteran James Beckham to a Minor League deal Friday.
General manager Jerry Dipoto said Beckham would join the Mariners on Friday and play in Saturday's Cactus League finale against the Rockies before reporting to Triple-A Tacoma, where he'll rotate with Tyler Smith and Mike Freeman at second and third base.
Beckham, 30, was released on March 23 by the Giants. He's played eight years in the Majors, including seven with the White Sox, but he struggled offensively the past two seasons with the White Sox, Braves and Giants.
Beckham can play second or third, and he has a career slash line of .240/.303/.370. He hit .217 with five homers and 30 RBIs in 85 games with the Braves last year, then went hitless in five at-bats in three games for the Giants after being acquired in a late-season trade.
Beckham hit .194 (7-for-36) with two RBIs and one stolen base with San Francisco this spring. With Shawn O'Malley still recovering from an appendectomy, Beckham provides the Mariners with experienced insurance in the infield if needed.
Beckham is the second veteran to be signed to a Minor League deal in the past two days, as reliever Mark Lowe also was added to the organization on Thursday after his release from the Tigers.