Mariners sign Ryan Garko

The Mariners continued their whirlwind winter of player acquisitions on Monday by signing free-agent first baseman Ryan Garko.

Garko, 29, gives manager Don Wakamatsu a right-handed option to platoon with Casey Kotchman at first base. Garko might also see time at designated hitter, and can serve as an emergency third catcher.

"I haven't talked to Don yet, but it's pretty obvious I'm here to help against left-handed pitching, whether as a first baseman or DH, and be around to catch if the situation comes up," Garko said in a conference call.

In 2003, while at Stanford, Garko won the Johnny Bench Award as the nation's top college catcher, and was drafted at that position in the third round of the 2003 draft by Cleveland. But with Victor Martinez entrenched behind the plate, and some questions about Garko's defense as a catcher, the Indians converted him to first base.

"I caught all the way to Triple-A and really would have kept doing it, except Victor Martinez signed a five-year deal," Garko said. "I felt it (changing positions) was my best path to the big leagues. It (catching) is there.(GM) Jack (Zduriencik) and I talked about it. Just in terms of giving Don the opportunity to make moves in games, it's important for us to have that third catcher."

Zduriencik was unavailable for comment, but said in a news release: "We are happy to add Ryan to our major-league roster. We think he is a player that adds versatility as a right-handed hitter with experience playing first base, designated hitter and catcher."

Garko joins outfielder Eric Byrnes, signed last Friday, as a right-handed hitter competing for playing time. The Mariners appear focused on adding one more starting pitcher candidate before opening spring camp later this month.

Two ex-Mariners, Jarrod Washburn and Erik Bedard, remain unsigned, as do free agents Chien-Ming Wang, John Smoltz and Pedro Martinez. Bedard, coming off shoulder surgery, is not expected to be ready for the start of the season.

According to The Associated Press, Garko will earn a base salary of $550,000, with a chance to earn up to $1,075,000 if he has 600 plate appearances.

Garko has a career .887 on-base-plus-slugging percentage and .313 batting average against left-handed pitchers in 422 at-bats (compared to .755 against righties), with 17 homers and 70 RBI. He posted a .842 OPS with 21 homers in 541 plate appearances in 2007 with Cleveland, and drove in 90 runs in 2008 for the Indians.

Garko split last year between Cleveland and San Francisco, hitting a combined .268 with 13 homers and 51 RBI, with a .765 OPS, in 118 games (354 plate appearances). He was a disappointment for the Giants, hitting .235 with two homers and 12 RBI in 40 games after coming over in a July 27 trade. The Giants didn't tender a contract to Garko after the season, making him a free agent.

Garko said several teams expressed interest, but he chose Seattle for a variety of reasons: He thinks the Mariners are in a position to contend, he wanted to return to the American League, and he liked the role he'll likely have with the M's.

"The important thing was finding a role on a team that I felt played to my strength," he said.

According to AP, Garko would earn up to an additional $25,000 each for 325, 350 and 375 plate appearances. He would get $50,000 apiece for 425, 450 and 475 plate appearances, and $100,000 each for 500, 550 and 600 plate appearances.

To make room for Garko on the Mariners' 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Gaby Hernandez was designated for assignment.

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com