Mariners sign utility man cole tucker Signed to minor league contract, reported Bob Nightengale of USA Today (X-link). The contract includes an invitation to Seattle's Major League Spring Training.
Tucker signed a minor league deal with the Rockies last winter, but didn't see much playing time in the majors. His contract didn't make him active roster until August, and Tucker appeared in just five MLB games while being drafted twice before being left off the 40-man roster entirely. At the end of the season, Tucker had the ability to select minor league free agency and hit the open market again.
Tucker, selected 24th overall in the 2014 draft, showed glimpses of that top draft pedigree during his time in the Pirates' farm system, but his performance at triple base in 1,107 career at-bats is a modest .250/.350/.382. level. The Pirates have given him multiple looks in the majors, but Tucker has struggled with a .216/.266/.318 slash over 479 PA against MLB pitchers. Tucker was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks after being DFAd by Pittsburgh during the 2022 season, but the Phoenix native never got a chance to play at the major league level with his hometown team.
Tucker was drafted as a shortstop, but moved into a more multi-position role to increase his value on other major league rosters. Between the position's versatility and switch-hitter approach, Tucker fits the profile of a useful bench personnel if he can maintain consistency at the plate. The Mariners are Josh Rojas, dylan mooreand sam hagerty Tucker may face an uphill battle to earn a spring training job as he is already on the roster, but he could be a good addition to Triple-A if he agrees to remain in Seattle's organization. There is a possibility that it will happen.
