Mariners ink Montero, Smoak

Peoria, AZ – The Seattle Mariners on Monday inked 18 players, year contracts.

Montero, 22, played his rookie season with the New York Yankees in 2011. In 18 games, he batted .328 with four home runs and 12 runs batted in.

The Guacara, Venezuela native made most of his appearances as a designated hitter last season. In three starts behind the plate, Montero caught one potential baserunner stealing while four players successfully stole against him.

The 25 year-old Smoak spent the 2011 campaign with the Mariners and appeared in 123 games, hitting .234 and belting 15 homers, while also knocking in 55 RBI.

For his career, the 11th overall pick in the 2008 draft has played in two seasons in the majors with the Rangers and Mariners, compiling a .227 average with 28 long balls and 103 RBI.

Also on Monday, Seattle agreed to terms with pitchers Blake Beavan, Steve Delabar, Lucas Luetge, Yoervis Medina, Hector Noesi, Mauricio Robles, and Chance Ruffin, catchers John Jaso and Adam Moore, infielders Alex Liddi, Francisco Martinez, Kyle Seager and Carlos Triunfel, and outfielders Johermyn Chavez, Chih-Hsien Chiang and Carlos Peguero on one-year contracts.

The Mariners now have 34 members of their 40-man roster signed.