SEATTLE -- Just a week before the start of Spring Training, the Mariners are close to adding another veteran to their roster, as a source told MLB.com that the club has an agreement in place on a one-year deal with free-agent infielder Rickie Weeks.The Mariners declined to confirm the agreement, which was first reported by ESPN on Wednesday night. Weeks has yet to take a physical exam, which would be needed before finalizing the deal.
Weeks, 32, played strictly at second base in his 11 years with the Brewers, but he obviously would be used elsewhere by the Mariners, given six-time All-Star Robinson Cano's presence at that position. 
ESPN reported the deal carries a $2 million base salary, with another potential $2 million in incentives.The Brewers talked of using the right-handed-hitting Weeks in the outfield last season. He balked at that idea, but could presumably be used as a corner outfielder or utility infielder by Seattle. The Mariners have Dustin Ackley returning in left field and acquired veterans Seth Smith and Justin Ruggiano this winter to likely platoon in right field.Weeks put up a .274/.357/.452 slash line with 19 doubles, eight home runs and 29 RBIs in 252 at-bats with Milwaukee last year while platooning primarily against left-handed pitchers. He hit 29 home runs and 83 RBIs in 2010, was a National League All-Star and Home Run Derby participant in 2011 and carries a career .249 average with a .771 OPS. But his numbers and playing time dropped the past three years and the Brewers declined his $11.5 million contract option for 2015 at the conclusion of a four-year, $38 million deal.The signing is something of a surprise for Seattle, given Cano's presence at second and Kyle Seager at third base. But the Mariners have been looking to add veteran, right-handed bats and have no proven backup to first baseman Logan Morrison, which is another place Weeks could provide depth.Veteran utility man Willie Bloomquist has one year remaining on his contract with Seattle, but is coming off microfracture knee surgery and isn't a sure thing to be ready for the start of the season.
Greg Johns/ MLB.com
ESPN reported the deal carries a $2 million base salary, with another potential $2 million in incentives.The Brewers talked of using the right-handed-hitting Weeks in the outfield last season. He balked at that idea, but could presumably be used as a corner outfielder or utility infielder by Seattle. The Mariners have Dustin Ackley returning in left field and acquired veterans Seth Smith and Justin Ruggiano this winter to likely platoon in right field.Weeks put up a .274/.357/.452 slash line with 19 doubles, eight home runs and 29 RBIs in 252 at-bats with Milwaukee last year while platooning primarily against left-handed pitchers. He hit 29 home runs and 83 RBIs in 2010, was a National League All-Star and Home Run Derby participant in 2011 and carries a career .249 average with a .771 OPS. But his numbers and playing time dropped the past three years and the Brewers declined his $11.5 million contract option for 2015 at the conclusion of a four-year, $38 million deal.The signing is something of a surprise for Seattle, given Cano's presence at second and Kyle Seager at third base. But the Mariners have been looking to add veteran, right-handed bats and have no proven backup to first baseman Logan Morrison, which is another place Weeks could provide depth.Veteran utility man Willie Bloomquist has one year remaining on his contract with Seattle, but is coming off microfracture knee surgery and isn't a sure thing to be ready for the start of the season.
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