Mariners Add Gerut and Robertson, Break Club Record For Spring Training Invites

With the Thursday addition of outfielder Jody Gerut and southpaw starter Nate Robertson, the Mariners now total 347 non-roster invitees, all vying for five or six open positions on the club.  Most of the minor league contracts signed have been described as “major upside” deals by GM Jack Zduriencik, and without the liability of a major league contract, the Mariners are certain to find a player or two who might shine in Peoria without any financial loss.

“With a few hundred players, our odds will be pretty good that we can stumble across some talent this spring,” Zduriencik said last week after breaking the 300 mark.  “Money’s tight, so this seemed the best course of action to shore up any weaknesses in the club.

A separate clubhouse had to be built to house the additional locker space required for the so-called “lottery players” to report in a couple weeks.  Construction should be completed next week.

Photo courtesy Peoria Sports Complex